Statement of claim Έκθεση απαίτησης
The detailed basis of the claim: the facts relied on and the remedies sought. It either accompanies the claim form or, where the form says one will follow, is served separately later.
Memorandum of appearance Σημείωμα εμφάνισης
The form by which a defendant tells the court they have notice of the action, who represents them and their address for service. Filing it is not an admission of anything.
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Defence Υπεράσπιση
The defendant’s answer to the claim, filed within the period the rules set after the appearance. A counterclaim, if there is one, is contained in the same document.
Counterclaim Ανταπαίτηση
The defendant’s own claim back against the claimant, raised in the same document as the defence and decided in the same proceedings.
Default judgment Απόφαση ερήμην
Judgment entered without a hearing on the merits because the defendant filed no appearance or no defence. It is enforced like any other judgment.
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Setting aside Παραμερισμός
The procedure for cancelling a default judgment: as of right where the judgment was wrongly entered, and at the court’s discretion where the defendant shows a real prospect of defending and moved without delay.
Interim order Ενδιάμεσο διάταγμα
A court order made while the case is still running, to hold the position until trial: prohibitions, mandatory orders, appointments of receivers, and their stricter cousins below.
Freezing order Διάταγμα παγοποίησης
An interim order preventing a defendant from disposing of assets before judgment, so that winning the case does not become an empty exercise. Breach is punishable as contempt.
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Disclosure Αποκάλυψη εγγράφων
The stage at which each party must reveal the documents relevant to the issues, including those that harm its own case. The rules also allow targeted applications for specific disclosure.
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Witness statement Γραπτή δήλωση μάρτυρα
The written evidence of a witness, exchanged before trial and standing as their evidence in chief. Cross-examination at the hearing tests what the statement says.
Security for costs Εγγύηση εξόδων
An order that a claimant provide security for the defendant’s legal costs before the case proceeds, typically where the claimant is abroad or a company of doubtful means.
Limitation period Παραγραφή
The statutory deadline for starting a claim, counted from when the cause of action arose. Miss it and the claim is barred however strong it was: which period applies depends on the type of claim.
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Arbitration Διαιτησία
Dispute resolution by a private tribunal the parties chose in their contract, instead of the courts. The award binds the parties and is enforced through the courts.
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