CONSUMER PROTECTION SERVICE AND CITIZENS’ RIGHTS PROTECTION SERVICE: ROLES AND DIFFERENCES
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
In everyday life, residents of Greece often encounter problems in their interactions with commercial organizations or public authorities. For the out-of-court resolution of such disputes, Greek legislation provides for two particularly important independent institutions: the Consumer Protection Service and the Citizens’ Rights Protection Service.
Consumer Protection Service (Συνήγορος του Καταναλωτή)
The Consumer Protection Service in Greece is an independent administrative authority whose main task is the out-of-court resolution of disputes between consumers and providers of goods or services (commercial entities).
The purpose of the Service is to protect consumer rights and to promote the peaceful settlement of conflicts without resorting to court proceedings.
Its jurisdiction includes, in particular:
defective or substandard goods and services;
unfair commercial practices;
disputes in the fields of telecommunications, energy, banking services, and transportation;
violations of consumer rights in the context of purchases and contract conclusion.
Citizens’ Rights Protection Service (Συνήγορος του Πολίτη)
The Citizens’ Rights Protection Service in Greece is also an independent authority that functions as an intermediary between citizens and public administration bodies. It intervenes in cases where citizens believe that public services, local government authorities, or other state institutions have violated their rights, acted unlawfully, or abused their powers.
Its jurisdiction includes, in particular:
unjustified delays or inaction by public authorities;
unlawful administrative acts;
matters relating to social security, healthcare, and education;
issues in the fields of urban planning and environmental protection.
Main Differences Between the Services
The key distinction between the two bodies lies in the nature of the parties involved in the dispute:
The Consumer Protection Service handles disputes between private individuals, consumers and commercial entities;
The Citizens’ Rights Protection Service deals with disputes between citizens and public administration bodies.
How to Submit a Complaint
Submitting a complaint to both services is free of charge and may be done electronically via official websites, by post, or in person. A prerequisite is a prior attempt to resolve the dispute directly with the commercial company or public authority, as well as the availability of supporting documents such as contracts, receipts, or correspondence.
Although the procedure is relatively straightforward, the involvement of a lawyer may be decisive both for the proper drafting of the complaint and for the assessment of the factual and legal circumstances of the case. In many instances, professional legal assistance contributes to a faster and more effective resolution of the dispute or helps identify the most appropriate means of protecting one’s rights.
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