The notary is a specialized legal professional, whose expertise encompasses a wide range of legal fields. Having practiced law as a lawyer, the notary is sworn in, following specialized exams organized by the Ministry of Justice, in a specific district, and their duties may be carried out exclusively within that jurisdiction. The notary is a self-employed professional, compensated directly by the contracting party and is not a subject to conditions of commercial competition, while the notary fees are dictated by Law. Notarial fees may in some cases be fixed, while in others they depend on the value of the transaction, the number of actions carried out by the notary, or both.

They are, first a foremost an unpaid public official, recognized by the Constitution, bearing the seal of the Hellenic Republic, and they have been entrusted with the substantive safeguarding of transactions by the State. They are an officer of preventive justice, entrusted with the duty of drafting all acts prescribed by law, as well as acts that the contracting parties wish to be executed in notarial form. This is because the notarial deed is a public document carrying both enforceability and full evidentiary effect.

It is the notary’s duty to uphold all legal procedures in an impartial manner, to refrain from any action contrary to the Law or public morals and to explain to the contracting parties the content and consequences of the deeds that are signed by them. They also act as an officer of enforcement proceedings, representing the State, exercising a quasi- judicial function during the auction proceedings.
Greece adheres to the Latin notarial system, which originates in Byzantine times. In this system, where the law is primarily codified, the emphasis is placed on the thorough verification of legal titles and their historical continuity, as well as on ensuring compliance with all other legal requirements to ensure the lawful completion of a transaction. Although this process often proves complex or time- consuming, it results in only a small percentage of cases ending up in Court, thanks to the contribution of the notary.

The modern notary engages in ongoing education and closely follows digital advancements. In doing so, they are well equipped to meet the demands of their modern role, ensuring the integrity of transactions and serving both citizens and the State with professionalism and a strong sense of duty.