Proposed by the European Commission. The move will determine which national court has jurisdiction in cross-border cases, and will also detail how judgments issued in one EU country are applied to another.
Overwhelming support
Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding -- the EU's Justice Commissioner -- welcomed the overwhelming support (567 votes in favour, 28 votes against with six abstentions), stating on the EU’s web site: ‘Removing bureaucratic obstacles, extra costs and the legal uncertainty of having 27 different and often contradictory systems makes the single market more attractive. This is a very good example of how justice policies can stimulate growth.’
Costly procedures
The new system proposes to abolish the ‘exequatur’ procedure – in which companies must go through costly court procedures to get a judgment in civil and commercial matters recognised in another EU country. It is anticipated that the move could save businesses and consumers up to €48 million a year.
The draft legislation now awaits final adoption, expected to take place at the next Council of Justice Ministers in December 2012.
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