ATHENS – Administrative, civil and criminal courts are gradually returning to operation, Justice Minister Constantine Tsiaras announced on Monday, having begun last week with courts related to property settlements.

Speaking at the daily Covid-19 developments briefing, Tsiaras said that the Council of State, the Court of Audit and regular administrative courts will return to operation on May 6 to try all cases, on condition that lawyers submit electronically a statement that they do not wish to appear in person. As of June 1, these courts will operate fully.

Urgent cases involving temporary judicial protection and the publication of decisions continue as normal, while civil courts will be trying cases involving injunctions related to job or insurance protection as of June 1.

Criminal courts, which so far have tried cases where temporary detentions have reached deadlines, will return to full operation on June 15.