Western Greece Bar Associations Unite to Preserve Ioannina Military Court
Corfu, Greece, December 11, 2025 – Eight Bar Associations across Western Greece have issued a joint appeal to the President of the Republic and the Minister of National Defence, advocating for the retention of the Ioannina Military Court, Naval Court, and Air Court. The Ministry of National Defence has announced and is proceeding with the abolition of this court, along with other provincial Military Courts nationwide.
The petition, submitted by the Bar Associations of Corfu, Ioannina, Arta, Preveza, Thesprotia, Lefkada, Agrinio, and Messolonghi, highlights the significant inconvenience and increased public cost that would result from the court’s abolition. If abolished, the regions currently under its jurisdiction would be transferred to Larissa and Thessaloniki, leading to considerable hardship for litigants and lawyers.
Strategic Importance and Operational History
The Bar Associations underscore that the Ioannina Military Court has been operational since 1997, with the Naval and Air Courts established in 2005. These courts serve the Regional Units of Epirus, Corfu, Lefkada, and Aetolia-Acarnania. The petition emphasizes the strategic importance of the region and the court’s crucial role in providing immediate services to military personnel and citizens alike.
The document includes detailed statistical data on cases, decisions, lawsuits, and other actions adjudicated by the Ioannina Military, Naval, and Air Courts between 2019 and 2025. These statistics demonstrate the continuous and active functioning of this judicial body, contradicting any notion of its redundancy.
Call for Continued Justice Provision
The joint request concludes with a strong recommendation to maintain the operation of the Ioannina military court. The Bar Associations stress the imperative for continuous and high-quality administration of justice in the Western Greece region, arguing that its abolition would undermine this fundamental principle.
The move to abolish regional military courts is part of a broader restructuring plan by the Ministry of National Defence. However, local legal professionals argue that such centralisation would compromise accessibility to justice and increase the burden on those seeking legal redress within the military justice system.
Further details regarding the Ministry’s rationale for the abolition and any potential counter-proposals from the government are yet to be fully disclosed. The Bar Associations remain hopeful that their collective voice will be heard and that the decision will be reconsidered in light of the practical implications for the region’s residents and legal community.
Source: https://www.startmediacorfu.gr/koino-aitima-8-dikigorikon-syllogon-tis-dytikis-ellados-gia-tin-mi-katargisi-tou-stratodikeiou-naftodikeiou-aerodikeiou-ioanninon/
