Notaries halt foreclosures until end of year

The associations representing notaries in Athens, Piraeus and the islands of the Aegean and the Dodecanese on Monday announced they will not be conducting any property auctions until December 31.

The decision was reached at an extraordinary general assembly on Saturday with a vote of 134 for the action and 132 against, meaning that auctions of assets that have been foreclosed due to outstanding debts will grind to a halt.

In an announcement on Monday, the associations said the decision is aimed at initiating talks with the Justice Ministry in order to provide protection to notaries who have come under attack - often violently - by anti-establishment groups and protesters opposed to foreclosures.

Notaries also want the Justice Ministry to be made responsible for electronic auctions, as well as addressing any disputes that may arise from them.

Another meeting...