Notary public

The association representing notaries in Athens, Piraeus and the Dodecanese said on Tuesday that its members will not take part in most property auctions until at least January 10.

This is the latest abstention by the notaries, who are demanding that the government adopt the measures it agreed with the officials to improve the protection they receive when auctions are carried out.

The union representing notaries in Athens, Piraeus and the Aegean islands on Tuesday announced the suspension of property foreclosures scheduled to take place at Greek courts on Wednesday amid lingering concerns about recent protests at courthouses that have turned violent. 

Foreclosures on Greek properties will soon be carried out henceforth only electronically, according to a government plan aimed at curbing a spate of protests at courthouses that has led to the cancellation of numerous auctions.

Electronic auctions began in Greece last week after months of discussions and delays. It was a minor first foray into this form of foreclosure in terms of volume (only two properties went under the hammer) but a much more significant moment as far as substance is concerned.

Government officials will go into talks with the institutions on Saturday hoping they will culminate in a staff-level agreement (SLA). Some common ground was achieved on Friday but the Greek side had to make several concessions.

Draft legislation that would simplify the procedure couples have to follow to obtain divorce by mutual consent, even allowing their official separation to be confirmed within an hour, has been submitted to Parliament.

The government and the country's creditors resumed their talks in Athens on Tuesday for the third bailout review, with the main topic being the launch of online auctions on Wednessday.

The association of Athens and Piraeus notaries did not bow to pressure from protesters outside the offices where it convened on Monday and decided to suspend its abstention from foreclosures, thereby opening the way for the launch of the online auction process on Wednesday as planned.

Justice Minister Stavros Kontonis indicated on Wednesday that electronic foreclosures will begin on November 29 as planned, following talks with Greek notaries who had announced earlier this month that they would boycott property auctions until the end of the year. 

The constant postponement of home foreclosures due to strong opposition and reactions from various quarters constitutes a systemic threat to the country's banks.