As regards remote interpretation, its use continued to be observed frequently and was not limited to remote RAOs and AAUs, that may not have a sufficient number of interpreters. Technical deficiencies and constraints should be taken into consideration when assessing the quality of remote interpretation. When it comes to rare languages, if no interpreter is available to conduct a direct interpretation from that language to Greek (or English in cases examined by EUAA case workers), more interpreters might be involved in the procedure to translate through different languages. Lastly, inaccuracies and mistakes in interpretation, including in the context of asylum interviews, with the potential to negatively influence the perceived credibility of applicants and thus their asylum case, were reported in March 2024.330 1.3.3. Recording and transcript The Asylum Code provides for the audio recording of the personal interview. A detailed report is drafted for every personal interview, which includes the applicants’ main arguments and all the essential elements of their claim. The audio recording of the interview accompanies the report. For interviews conducted by videoconference, audio recording is compulsory. When audio recording is not available, the report includes a full transcript of the interview and the applicant is invited to certify the accuracy of the content of the report by signing it, with the assistance of the interpreter who also signs it, where present.331 The applicant may at any time request a copy of the transcript, a copy of the audio file or both.332 1.3.4. Notification of First Instance Decisions The IPA introduced the possibility for first instance decisions not to be communicated in person to the applicant (‘fictitious service’, πλασματική επίδοση) or the first instance decision to be communicated to the applicant by administrative authorities other than the Asylum Service. Both practices, maintained in the Asylum Code, significantly limit the possibility for the applicant to be informed about the issuance of the first instance decision and/or the content of said decision and/or the possibility to lodge an appeal. Consequently, deadlines for submitting an appeal against a negative first-instance decision may expire without the applicant being actually informed about the decision, for reasons not attributable to him/her. As the Greek Ombudsman has noted with regard to the provisions of fictitious service, said provisions effectively limit the access of asylum seekers to legal remedies.333 More precisely, according to the Asylum Code, a first instance decision can be communicated: v in person or; v with a registered letter sent by the Asylum Service to the applicant or; v by e-mail to the applicant or; v by uploading the Decision on an electronic application managed by the Asylum Service, through which applicants have unique access through an account they maintain, or; v by communicating the decision to authorised lawyers, consultants, and representatives.334 In this regard, it should be mentioned that according to the Aylum Code, once a lawyer is appointed by the applicant at any stage of the procedure, the lawyer is considered to be a representative of the applicant for all stages of the procedures, including the service of the decision regardless of the actual representation of the applicant at the time of the fictitious service unless the appointment of the lawyer is revoked by a written declaration of the applicant with an authenticated signature.335 330 331 332 333 334 335 Solomon, Lost for Words: Lack of interpreters puts asylum seekers’ lives on hold in Greece, 27 March 2023, available at: https://tinyurl.com/247fkvv6. Article 82(13) Asylum Code. Article 82(15) Asylum Code. Ombudsman, Παρατηρήσεις στο σχέδιο νόμου Προσαρμ��γή της Ελληνικής Νομοθεσίας προς τις διατάξεις της Οδηγίας 2013/33/ΕΕ (αναδιατύπωση 29.6.13) σχετικά με τις απαιτήσεις για την υποδοχή των αιτούντων διεθνή προστασία κ.ά. διατάξεις, April 2018, available in Greek at : https://bit.ly/3vSDu54. Article 87(3) Asylum Code. Article 76(7) Asylum Code. 75