Mediation for debts and leases in Greece: preparing a workable agreement

When structured negotiation can help

Debt and lease disputes may allow agreement on instalments, property handover or the final account. Mediation provides an organised setting for discussion. An impartial mediator facilitates communication, while the lawyers advise their respective clients on rights and proposed terms.

The process can involve joint or separate meetings and is adapted to the dispute. Preparation works best when participants identify their objectives and missing information, rather than simply repeating the original disagreement.

What to bring to the meeting

Keep the file manageable. For a debt, group invoices and payments by period. For a lease, include the agreement, amendments and specific outstanding issues. A one-page chronology is often more useful than a large collection of unrelated printouts.

Discuss with your lawyer which points are negotiable, which need further review and who has authority to sign. Where a company or representative participates, the appropriate authority should be arranged in advance.

• The contract and a short chronology
• A breakdown of claims, payments and disputed amounts
• Information supporting a realistic payment or handover timetable
• Representation documents and any pleadings already served

Participation does not require settlement

Where a Mandatory Initial Session applies, attending it is distinct from accepting a final settlement. The mediator cannot impose an outcome. Whether an initial session is required must be checked against the rules and procedural stage of the particular dispute.

Prepare more than one workable proposal. An alternative instalment plan, for example, may be viable if it includes a clear payment method and a definite first-payment date. Figures and commitments should reflect what can actually be performed.

Before the meeting, identify the questions you need answered to assess a proposal: what payment evidence is missing, whether a handover date is realistic, or which charges remain disputed. This helps keep the discussion focused.

Writing terms that can be carried out

The agreement should specify obligations, dates, payment methods and evidence of performance. A lease settlement may need provisions for keys, meters, bills and the deposit. Address what happens if a commitment is not met, avoiding vague or conflicting terms.

Following the required filing and subject to statutory conditions, the mediation settlement record can become an enforceable title. Signing an informal note does not provide the same assurance. Before signature, review the terms, any waivers and the formalities required for the particular arrangement.