Collective Organs of the Legal Council of the State
Pursuant to Article 5 of Law 4831/2021, the Legal Council of the State operates as a collegial body through the Plenary Session, the Chambers and Three-Member Committees, with the relevant specific provisions laid down in Articles 6 to 9 of the same Law.
Structure of the Collective Organs of the Legal Council of the State
The Plenary Session convenes in various compositions: Full, Regular (A and B), Recess and Administrative. The Chambers are constituted for each judicial year by decision of the President of the L.C.S.
In 2025, six Chambers were operational. Following the amendment of the Organic Law of the Legal Council of the State by Law 5259/2025, a Special Chamber has also been operating since 19 January 2026, following its constitution by virtue of Decision No. 34/2026 of the President of the L.C.S.
Three-Member Committees operate within the Central Service, the Legal Directorates and the Special Legal Directorates of the L.C.S. Their composition is adapted to the number of serving Legal Officers and to the organizational structure of each unit.
Competences of the Collective Organs of the Legal Council of the State
The Full Plenary Session issues opinions on serious matters referred to it by the President or by other formations and, when sitting in its Administrative formation, on organizational matters concerning the Legal Council of the State.
The Regular Plenary Session and the Recess Plenary Session examine cases related to arbitrations, the appointment of arbitrators and the challenging of arbitral awards, cases referred to them, and generally any case that does not fall under the competence of the Full Plenary Session.
The Special Chamber issues legal opinions on matters of urgent nature and of major importance for the public interest, either by reason of their nature or by reason of their consequences.
The Chambers issue legal opinions on questions submitted by the Administration, the Hellenic Parliament, the Presidency of the Government, legal entities governed by public law, Independent Authorities and Higher Education Institutions, as well as on draft laws and on matters that do not fall under the competence of the Three-Member Committees.
In judicial and extrajudicial matters — including the acknowledgement of claims or settlements — the Three-Member Committees issue legal opinions in the form of Minutes, which are approved by the President or by the competent Minister, depending on the subject matter and the financial value of the case.
Where the nature of the matter allows for a simpler procedure, the Three-Member Committees decide by Act, without a written report or any further approval. They may also issue Endorsement Acts in less complex cases.
All acts of the Three-Member Committees are issued and signed digitally through the Integrated Information System of the Legal Council of the State, while those involving a significant financial value are published. Following their issuance, they are immediately transmitted to the competent services for further action.