EIPA Luxembourg – the European Centre for Judges and Lawyers (ECJL) hosted a conference on the “Service of Documents and Taking of Evidence in Cross-Border Civil and Commercial Cases” last week. Held at the Ecole de Formation Professionnelle des Barreaux (EFB), France, the conference brought together legal professionals from across Europe to discuss the application of EU law and explore the latest digital tools in judicial cooperation.
This conference is part of the EU-funded e-FILIT project, a two-year initiative to improve the implementation of EU legislative instruments through interprofessional training and the effective use of ICT systems.
Highlights and Objectives
The participants examined the practical implementation of two key EU regulations effective since 1 July 2022: Regulation (EU) 2020/1783, which facilitates cooperation between Member State courts in evidence-taking for civil and commercial matters, and Regulation (EU) 2020/1784, which governs the service of judicial and extrajudicial documents in these cases. Replacing older frameworks, these regulations aim to improve efficiency, speed, and security in cross-border judicial cooperation through secure decentralised IT systems and standardised forms.
Key Takeaways
- Improving Efficiency through Digital Tools
- Participants explored best practices for using digital solutions such as videoconferencing and standardised online forms to simplify evidence-taking and document servicing processes.
- Recent Case Law
- Case law from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) was discussed, shedding light on procedural challenges such as incomplete translations and insufficient information on response mechanisms.
- Harmonisation of EU and National Laws
- The conference emphasised the importance of aligning EU regulations with national procedural systems to ensure seamless judicial cooperation across borders.
- Security and Decentralisation
- The implementation of decentralised IT systems was highlighted as a crucial step towards secure and reliable communication between Member States.
Collaboration
The project brings together a diverse consortium of partners, including the:
- Polish National School of Judiciary and Public Prosecution (KSSIP)
- European Union of Judicial Officers (UEHJ)
- Ecole de Formation des Barreaux (EFB)
- Order of Solicitors and Enforcement Agents (OSAE)
- Uniunea Nationala a Barourilor din Romania (UNBR)
Looking Ahead: The e-FILIT Project
Scheduled from 8 January 2024 to 7 January 2026, the e-FILIT project employs a blended learning approach to equip legal professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate cross-border judicial proceedings. Through events like this conference, the project fosters interprofessional dialogue, enhances the use of ICT tools, and promotes the harmonised application of EU legislation in civil, commercial, and family law.
For more information on upcoming events and training opportunities under the e-FILIT project, visit the this page.
