Best Due Diligence Lawyers in Thivais

About Due Diligence Law in Thivais, Greece

Due diligence in Thivais, Greece is the structured investigation a buyer, investor, lender, or partner undertakes to understand the legal, financial, regulatory, technical, and operational status of a target company, real estate, project, or counterparty. It is not a single statute but a process guided by Greek national law, European Union law, industry rules, and market practice. In Thivais, which falls within the Boeotia regional unit, the same national framework applies, while certain checks are carried out with local authorities such as land registries, the municipality, tax offices, and regional services.

Comprehensive due diligence typically covers corporate records and governance, contracts, permits and licenses, real estate title and planning compliance, environmental matters, employment and social security, intellectual property, privacy and data protection, competition and merger control, anti money laundering and sanctions, disputes and enforcement risk, insurance, and tax. Findings are evaluated for legal risk, deal pricing, conditions precedent, and post closing integration.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Due diligence involves interpreting complex legal records, coordinating searches across multiple authorities, and assessing the legal impact of findings on a proposed transaction or relationship. A Greek lawyer experienced in due diligence can plan the scope, obtain the right certificates, navigate Greek language and formalities, and negotiate protections based on the results.

You may need a lawyer if you are buying a business or a shareholding in Thivais, investing in a local industrial or logistics operation, or setting up a joint venture. Counsel can review corporate books, shareholder agreements, board minutes, material contracts, financing and security arrangements, and confirm compliance with company law and the General Commercial Registry.

If you are purchasing real estate, a lawyer will verify ownership and encumbrances at the competent Land Registry or Cadastral Office, review zoning and building compliance, confirm property taxes and municipal dues, and coordinate with a notary and an engineer on surveys and building legality certificates.

Lenders and investors rely on lawyers to run regulatory, licensing, and environmental checks. In an industrial area near Thivais, for example, counsel can review environmental permits, waste and wastewater approvals, and health and safety files, and assess legacy liabilities.

Lawyers also assist with data protection and cybersecurity compliance, employment and social security audits, competition law assessment and merger control filings, anti bribery and anti money laundering checks, and public procurement eligibility if you plan to contract with Greek public bodies.

Local Laws Overview

Greece is a civil law jurisdiction. National laws and EU regulations apply uniformly in Thivais, with local or regional authorities handling records and permits. Due diligence therefore combines national legal analysis with local document retrieval and verification.

Corporate and M and A. Corporate form and governance are primarily governed by Law 4548 of 2018 for sociétés anonymes, Law 4072 of 2012 for private companies and general provisions on GEMI registration, and Law 4601 of 2019 on corporate transformations such as mergers, demergers, and spin offs. The General Commercial Registry known as GEMI keeps official company files, articles, and filings. Lawyers examine GEMI extracts, corporate books, resolutions, and directors authority.

Real estate and planning. Title and encumbrances are verified at the competent Hypothikofilakeio Land Registry or the Hellenic Cadastre Ktimatologio where operational. Searches cover ownership, mortgages, prenotations, liens, easements, and court annotations. Urban planning compliance is checked through the New Building Code Law 4067 of 2012 and building legality Law 4495 of 2017, with permits recorded on the e Adeies system. Zoning and land uses depend on local and regional plans, while special regimes may apply for coastal zones, forest maps, archaeological protection, and industrial use areas. An engineer typically provides a survey and a building legality certificate.

Tax and financial. The Income Tax Code Law 4172 of 2013 and the Tax Procedure Code Law 4174 of 2013 govern tax obligations. Buyers usually request tax clearance certificates, VAT and withholding compliance confirmations, and ENFIA property tax statements under Law 4223 of 2013. Real estate transfers may attract transfer tax or VAT depending on the property and current rules. Municipal fees for utilities or signage may also be relevant.

Employment and social security. Employment relationships are primarily regulated by the Greek labor framework including Law 4808 of 2021. Due diligence covers contracts, working time, collective agreements, pending claims, and compliance with health and safety. Social security debts and registrations are checked with EFKA.

Data protection. The EU GDPR applies directly and is supplemented by Greek Law 4624 of 2019. Reviews focus on lawful bases, transparency, records of processing, processor agreements, international transfers, DPIAs where needed, and security measures. Sector rules may impose additional obligations.

Competition and merger control. Greek Law 3959 of 2011 governs antitrust and concentration control, supervised by the Hellenic Competition Commission. Transactions meeting turnover thresholds may require pre closing notification and clearance. Distribution and exclusivity clauses, joint bidding, and information exchanges are also assessed.

Anti money laundering and sanctions. Law 4557 of 2018 sets AML obligations and the beneficial ownership register. Counterparty checks may include UBO verification, KYC documents, and screening for sanctions exposure.

Environment and industrial permits. Environmental permitting and liability are primarily addressed in Law 4014 of 2011 as amended and the older framework of Law 1650 of 1986. Projects are categorized, with environmental impact assessment and approvals required accordingly. Waste, wastewater, air emissions, and hazardous substances have dedicated permits. Legacy contamination and compliance records are key issues for industrial assets around Thivais.

Public procurement. Law 4412 of 2016 sets procedures and eligibility for procurement by Greek public entities. Due diligence for bidders reviews exclusion grounds, conflicts, past performance, and consortium arrangements, and confirms registrations such as the contractors registry where applicable.

Intellectual property. Copyright is governed by Law 2121 of 1993 and trademarks by modernized Greek trademark legislation in line with EU law. Reviews confirm ownership, registrations at the Greek registry or EUIPO, licenses, and infringement risks.

Disputes and enforcement. Checks include pending litigation in Greek courts, arbitral matters, administrative fines, and enforcement measures such as seizures or pledges. The lawyer will examine court records and any annotations on corporate or real property registries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is legal due diligence and when is it used in Thivais

It is a structured review of a target to identify legal risks before a decision such as a purchase, investment, financing, or partnership. In Thivais it is used for acquisitions of local companies, property purchases, plant expansions, loans secured by local assets, public tender participation, and vendor onboarding.

How long does due diligence take in Greece

Timelines vary by scope and access. A focused red flag review may take one to two weeks. A full scope corporate and real estate review often takes three to six weeks. Local registry response times and document readiness can shorten or extend the schedule.

What documents are typically requested in a corporate acquisition

Core requests include articles and bylaws, GEMI extracts, shareholder and board minutes, share ledgers, key contracts, financing and security documents, licenses and permits, compliance policies, IP portfolios, employee lists and contracts, litigation lists, insurance, and financial statements alongside tax filings and certificates.

How do I verify property title and encumbrances in Thivais

Your lawyer orders an official search at the competent Land Registry or Cadastral Office covering the property and all owners for a stated period. The search reveals ownership, mortgages, prenotations, liens, foreclosures, servitudes, and court annotations. Cross checking with cadastral maps and a recent survey is standard.

How are planning and building compliance checked

An engineer reviews the building permit history, plans, completion certificates, and any legalization under Law 4495 of 2017. The municipality and e Adeies records are consulted for zoning, use, and any violations. For land outside city plans, special spatial rules apply, and forest or archaeological restrictions may need clearance.

What tax issues are common in due diligence

Typical items are outstanding tax debts, VAT compliance, withholding practices, payroll and social security filings, transfer pricing for groups, property taxes, and the tax treatment of the contemplated transaction. A tax clearance certificate and ENFIA statements are commonly requested.

Do I need merger control clearance for an acquisition

If the parties combined or individually exceed Greek turnover thresholds, a filing to the Hellenic Competition Commission may be required before closing. Your lawyer will test thresholds and timing and align signing and closing with any standstill obligations.

How is data protection reviewed for a local business

The review maps personal data flows, checks lawful bases, notices, processor agreements, records of processing, security measures, breach logs, and international transfers. Compliance with GDPR and Greek Law 4624 of 2019 is assessed, and remediation steps are proposed where gaps are found.

What are common red flags in Greek due diligence

Frequent issues include unregistered or invalid corporate decisions, missing permits, planning or building irregularities, liens on properties or assets, undisclosed litigation, employment non compliance, tax arrears, inadequate data protection, and contracts with problematic change of control or termination clauses.

Do documents need to be translated or notarized

Greek is the working language for registries and courts. For cross border transactions, certified translations are often needed. Corporate actions may require notarial deeds or notarized signatures, and foreign documents may need an apostille or consular legalization.

Additional Resources

Hellenic Cadastre Ktimatologio and the competent Cadastral Office for Thivais, for cadastral maps, ownership and encumbrance certificates.

Local Hypothikofilakeio Land Registry serving Thivais, for title and charge registrations where the cadastre is not yet in full operation.

General Commercial Registry GEMI and the Boeotia Chamber of Commerce, for company files, certificates, and corporate filings.

Independent Authority for Public Revenue AADE and the local Tax Office DOY Thivais, for tax registrations, clearances, and confirmations.

EFKA Unified Social Security Fund local office, for social security registration and debt certificates.

Hellenic Competition Commission, for merger control and antitrust guidance and filings.

Hellenic Data Protection Authority, for GDPR guidance and decisions relevant to compliance.

Hellenic Single Public Procurement Authority, for procurement rules and registries.

Ministry of Environment and Energy regional services, for environmental permits and spatial planning information.

Ministry of Culture Ephorate of Antiquities of Boeotia, for archaeological protection zones and approvals that may affect land use.

Municipality of Thiva technical services, for local planning, utilities, and municipal fee matters.

Bank of Greece, for supervision of financial institutions and applicable regulatory requirements.

Next Steps

Define your objective and risk appetite. Clarify whether you need a red flag review or a full scope due diligence across corporate, regulatory, real estate, tax, employment, data, and litigation.

Engage Greek counsel with due diligence experience in the Thivais area. Ask about sector expertise, language capabilities, timelines, and a proposed scope and budget. Request a conflict check and an engagement letter that sets deliverables and confidentiality.

Assemble a data room. Gather corporate charters, contracts, permits, financials, tax filings, HR records, IP lists, insurance, and any prior reports. For real estate, include deeds, surveys, permits, and ENFIA statements. Ensure you have authority to share data and put a non disclosure agreement in place.

Plan local searches early. Counsel should schedule visits or electronic requests to the Land Registry or Cadastral Office, GEMI, tax and social security offices, and relevant municipal or regional authorities. Build registry lead times into your closing calendar.

Coordinate technical experts. An engineer should validate planning and building compliance. A tax advisor can perform a targeted tax review. Depending on the asset, environmental consultants, notaries, and surveyors may be required.

Align findings with deal terms. Use the report to negotiate price adjustments, warranties, indemnities, covenants, escrow, conditions precedent, and post closing undertakings. Address any mandatory clearances such as merger control before signing or closing as required.

Document and monitor remediation. For issues that can be fixed, agree on a remediation plan and timeline. Track completion of filings, registrations, permit renewals, and corporate actions pre closing and post closing.

This guide is informational and not legal advice. For specific advice on due diligence in Thivais, Greece, consult a qualified Greek lawyer who can tailor the scope to your transaction and timeline.