European Judicial Network extended to civil and commercial matters, December 2002

The European Judicial Network was extended on 1 December 2002 when a new network dedicated to civil and commercial matters became operational. In contrast to the European Judicial Network on criminal matters, which was established in 1998, the new body is tasked with improving the exchange of information and experience across borders between European judicial and administrative authorities dealing with civil and commercial matters.

The decision to establish a judicial network dedicated to civil and commercial matters was taken by the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 28 May 2001 following objectives, expressed in the 1998 Vienna Action Plan and at the Tampere European Council in October 1999, to improve, simplify and expedite effective judicial cooperation between the Member States in order to match the needs of a functioning internal market and also encourage the establishment of an area of freedom, security and justice in Europe.

The European Commission presented its proposal for such a network as part of its scoreboard to review progress on the creation of an area of 'freedom, security and justice' in March 2000. In keeping with that proposal, the network is made up of:

• central contact points designated by the Member States and, if appropriate, a limited number of additional contact points

• other members of the Network including the authorities with responsibility under Community or international law for judicial cooperation between the Member States, liaison magistrates and other authorities (having responsibility in the field of judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters) whose membership of the Network is considered to be useful by the Member States

The role of the central contact points is to help the national judicial authorities to resolve specific cases. For example, they should provide judges with information on the foreign legislation or rulings that may apply to cases before them. Meetings of the contact points will be held at least three times in a six month period to allow for the exchange of information, the identification of problems and best practices, and the setting up of guidelines for establishing the information system. In addition, there will be regular meetings between the central contact points as well as an annual meeting with the other members of the network in order to establish a system of information for the public on judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters and the legal systems of the Member States as well as improving the implementation of Community instruments or conventions in force between two or more Member States.

The work of the network will also be enhanced through the establishment of an internet site dedicated to providing general information to the public as well as an intranet available to the members of the network to encourage an efficient and regular exchange of information. Antonio Vittorino, the European Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs, announced at the first meeting of all members of the network on 6 December 2002 that the public website would be available from early 2003. The European Commission, which is responsible for the site, plans to provide online practical information sheets for the public providing details on procedures for bringing cases to court, access to legal aid and appeal possibilities.

The success of the European Judicial Network on civil and commercial matters will be reviewed by the European Commission in a report to be submitted to the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee no later than 1 December 2005.

Links:
European Commission:
	06.12.02:	Judicial cooperation on civil matters: launch of the 'European Judicial Network on civil and commercial matters' [IP/02/1814]
	Proposal for a Council Decision establishing a European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters [COM(2000)592 final]
	SCADPlus: Judicial Network in Civil and Commercial Matters
	Homepage of the Judicial Network in Civil and Commercial MattersSite will be available from 2003
Council of the European Union:
	28.05.01:	Press Release: Justice and Home Affairs Council [PRES/01/203]
European Sources Online: In Focus
	Creating a European Judicial Area
European Sources Online: Topic Guides
	Justice and Home Affairs

Helen Bower
Compiled: Tuesday, 10 December 2002

The European Judicial Network was extended on 1 December 2002 when a new network dedicated to civil and commercial matters became operational