Death of President Emmanuel Grammatopoulos

Born in 1935, he became judicial officer in 1961. He was at the origin of the creation of the trade-union body of second degree for the Greek judicial officers, at the conclusion of six years of ceaseless steps near the authorities. Today, the law “2318/1995” (the Code of the judicial officers) is still in force in Greece.

Emmanuel Grammatopoulos was the first President of the National Chamber of the judicial officers of Greece. He exerted this function between 1995 and 2000, year when he retired. He was also the President of the greatest association of judicial officers of Greece, from 1996 to 2000.

Fervent defender of the UIHJ, he contributed to the active participation of the Greek judicial officers within the organization. Since 1995, the Greek national chamber always took part in all the demonstrations and congresses of the UIHJ.

It is during his presidency that in 2000 the UIHJ organized one of its greatest international congresses, in Athens.

In 2005, during the Paris permanent Council of the UIHJ, he was appointed honorary member of the UIHJ. This title was given to him by President Jacques Isnard.

The Union presents its saddened condolences to his family, his relatives and his friends.

Jacques Isnard, Honorary President of the UIHJ that a deep friendship bound to President Grammatopoulos, sent us the following message.

Emmanuel, my friend,

There we were in my office, in Paris.

The time was Spring 1993. He was leading the delegation of the judicial officers coming from Greece. I was greeting him as the newly appointed President of the National Chamber of the judicial officers of France.

The moment was indeed historical. Since 1952, date of the creation of the Union to which Greece had taken an active part, our Greek fellow-members had not reappeared on the international scene.

Undoubtedly, I had not imagined that this meeting during this memorable day was going to seal a long and deep friendship of almost 20 years with the one that a cruel destiny has just taken from us.

Untiring organizer with the stature of these Hellenic legendary heroes, knowing how to combine natural charisma and accepted authority, President Grammatopoulos - Emmanuel - would turn to be the architect of this new and modern occupation of judicial officer which was appearing in this beautiful country, cradle of culture and history.

With the help of standardized relations and many meetings, but especially at the time of this incomparable congress of the Millennium (May 2000) in Athens, each one within the Union could appreciate the dimension that this polyglot actor in the international order occupied.

Recognized and crowned by the international community, supported by his pairs, he received the highest marks of recognition from our organization when he received the diploma of honor as well as the honorary membership shortly after his retirement.

Tired and his health failing, but always on the watch when it came to “his” profession, constantly up to date with the movements which mark the pace of the UIHJ, he was - in spite of his condition - among those of the Nineties, promoter of the restoration of the Union, to take part in the last congress held in September in Marseilles.

Today, the whole of the Greek community mourns a great president. The whole of the Union is orphan of one of its greatest leaders.

Nearly twenty years of memories...

It is hard for me to conceal my tears of pain facing the loss of a friend as the Union knows the full meaning of this word.

Jacques Isnard
Honorary President of the UIHJ