COMMISSION STAFF WORKING PAPER On the application of Directive 2003/8/EC to improve access to justice in cross border disputes by establishing minimum common rules relating to legal aid for such disputes Accompanying the document Report from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee on the application of Directive 2003/8/EC to improve access to justice in cross border disputes by establishing minimum common rules relating to legal aid for such dispute
Date: 2012-02-23
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: European judicial area, Internet site, dissemination of EU information, judicial cooperation in civil matters in the EU, legal aid, legal expenses, right of action

EUROPEAN COMMISSION 

Brussels, 23.2.2012  
SWD(2012) 20 final 

COMMISSION STAFF WORKING PAPER 

On the application of Directive 2003/8/EC to improve access to justice in cross border 
disputes by establishing minimum common rules relating to legal aid for such disputes 

Accompanying the document 

Report from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the 
European Economic and Social Committee on the application of Directive 2003/8/EC to 
improve access to justice in cross border disputes by establishing minimum common 
rules relating to legal aid for such dispute 

{COM(2012) 71 final} 

 
 
 
 
  
 
COMMISSION STAFF WORKING PAPER 

On the application of Directive 2003/8/EC to improve access to justice in cross border disputes by establishing minimum common rules 
relating to legal aid for such disputes 

Report from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee on the application 
of Directive 2003/8/EC to improve access to justice in cross border disputes by establishing minimum common rules relating to legal aid for 
such dispute 

Accompanying the document 

Transposition measures 

According to Article 21 of Directive 2003/8/EC to improve access to justice in cross border disputes by establishing minimum common rules relating 
to legal aid for such disputes Member States were obliged to bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply 
with this Directive by 30 November 2004 with the exception of Article 3(2)(a) where the transposition of this Directive into national law had to take 
place by 30 May 2006. 

The following table presents the national transposition measures. 

Member
State 

AT 

National transposing measure 

Official Publication 

Internet link 

Federal  law  implementing  the  European  Convention  of  27 
January  1977  concerning  the  transmission  of  applications  for 
legal  aid  and  to  implement  the  EC  Directive  2003/8/EC  to 
improve access to justice in cross-border disputes by establishing 
minimum  common  rules  relating  to  legal  aid  for  such  disputes 
(legal aid applications for transmission law, VH-ÜbermG 

BGBl I 191/1982 

http://www.ris.bka.gv.at/Dokument
e/BgblAuth/BGBLA_2004_I_128/
BGBLA_2004_I_128.pdf  

EN 

2 

EN 

 
  
zur 

des 

Europäischen 
Durchführung 
Bundesgesetz 
Übereinkommens  vom  27.  Jänner  1977  über  die  Übermittlung 
von  Anträgen  auf  Verfahrenshilfe  und  zur  Umsetzung  der 
Richtlinie  EG  2003/8/EG  zur  Verbesserung  des  Zugangs  zum 
Recht  bei  Streitsachen  mit  grenzüberschreitendem  Bezug  durch 
Festlegung 
die 
gemeinsamer  Mindestvorschriften 
Prozesskostenhilfe 
Streitsachen 
(Verfahrenshilfeanträge-Übermittlungsgesetz, VH-ÜbermG), 

derartigen 

für 

in 

Adoption:  April  29th,  1982,  entry  into  force:  March  16th,  1982, 
with changes 

Article  XV  of  the  federal  law  to  implement  the  European 
Convention  of  27  January  1977  concerning  the  transmission  of 
applications  for  legal  aid  and  to  implement  the  EC  Directive 
2003/8/EC  to  improve  access  to  justice  in  cross-border  disputes 
by  establishing  minimum  common  rules  relating  to  legal  aid  for 
such  disputes  (legal  aid  applications  for  transmission  law,  VH-
ÜbermG) 

BGBl I 128/2004 

http://www.ris.bka.gv.at/Dokument
e/BgblAuth/BGBLA_2004_I_128/
BGBLA_2004_I_128.pdf  

Article  XV  Bundesgesetz  zur  Durchführung  des  Europäischen 
Übereinkommens  vom  27.  Jänner  1977  über  die  Übermittlung 
von  Anträgen  auf  Verfahrenshilfe  und  zur  Umsetzung  der 
Richtlinie  EG  2003/8/EG  zur  Verbesserung  des  Zugangs  zum 
Recht  bei  Streitsachen  mit  grenzüberschreitendem  Bezug  durch 
die 
gemeinsamer  Mindestvorschriften 
Festlegung 
Prozesskostenhilfe 
Streitsachen 
(Verfahrenshilfeanträge-Übermittlungsgesetz, VH-ÜbermG),  

derartigen 

für 

in 

Adoption:  November  18th  2004,  entry  into  force:  January  1st 
2005. 

EN 

3 

EN 

 
  
 
Act of 1 August 1895, on the court proceedings in civil litigation 
(Code  of  Civil  Procedure  -  CCP),  August  1st  1895,  as  amended, 
Gesetz  vom  1.  August  1895,  über  das  gerichtliche  Verfahren  in 
bürgerlichen Rechtsstreitigkeiten (Zivilprozessordnung - ZPO) 

BGBl I 128/2004 

http://www.ris.bka.gv.at/Dokument
e/BgblAuth/BGBLA_2004_I_128/
BGBLA_2004_I_128.pdf  

BE 

Act 1998-11-23/34 on legal aid  

L 1998-11-23/34 relative à l’aide juridique 

Act 2006-06/15/52 amending the Legal Code  

Official 
22/12/1998 

Journal 

http://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/loi/
loi.htm  

Official 
15/02/2007  

Journal 

http://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/loi/
loi.htm  

L2006-06-15/52 modifiant le Code judiciaire en ce qui concerne 
l'aide judiciaire. 

BG 

Chapter 8 of the Law on Legal Aid, Adoption: 04.10.2005, entry 
into force: 01.01.2007 

State  Gazette  issue  No. 
79 of 04.10.2005,  

http://www.nbpp.government.bg 
reg/laws.php?page=49&root=laws 

Нормативна  база,Закон  за  правната  помощ,  В  сила  от 
01.01.2006 г. 

CY 

Law 165(I)/2002 on Legal Aid, 9.8.2002 

I(I)  Nr.  3629, 

E.E. 
9.8.2002 

http://www.mlsi.gov.cy/mlsi/sws/s
ws.nsf/All/67415D83F3797961C22
56E5A002FAF24/$file/Legal%20A
ssistance%20Law%202002.pdf?Op
enElement  

Procedural Regulation of2003 on Legal Aid 

2003 Παρ. ΙΙ(Ι) p.1 

Procedural Regulation) of 2007 on Legal Aid (as amended 

2007 Παρ. ΙΙ(Ι), p.13 

EN 

4 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Procedural Regulation of 2008 on Legal Aid(as amended) 

2007 Παρ. ΙΙ(Ι), p.114 

CZ 

Act No. 629/2004 Coll. of 11th November 2004 on the provision 
of legal aid in cross-border disputes in the European Union 

Act  No.  85/1996  Coll.  of  13th  March  1996  on  the  Legal 
Profession 

Act No. 634/2004 Coll. of 26th November 2004 on Administrative 
Fees 

Act  No.  2/1969  Coll.  of  8th  January  1969  on  Establishment  of 
Ministries and other central bodies of state administration of the 
Czech Republic 

Act  No.  99/1963  Coll.  of  4th  December  1963,  Civil  Procedure 
Code 

in 

Published 
the 
Collection  of  Laws  of 
the  Czech  Republic  for 
year  2004  on  pages 
11393  

in 

Published 
the 
Collection  of  Laws  of 
the  Czech  Republic  for 
year  1996  on  pages 
1002 

in 

Published 
the 
Collection  of  Laws  of 
the  Czech  Republic  for 
year  2004  on  pages 
11415 

in 

Published 
the 
Collection  of  Laws  of 
the  Czech  Republic  for 
year 1969 on pages 16 

in 

Published 
the 
Collection  of  Laws  of 
the  Czech  Republic  for 

http://aplikace.mvcr.cz/archiv2008/
sbirka/2004/sb213-04.pdf  

http://aplikace.mvcr.cz/archiv2008/
sbirka/1996/sb29-96.pdf  

http://www.cak.cz/assets/act-on-
legal-profession_2009_aktualni-
podoba.doc  

http://aplikace.mvcr.cz/archiv2008/
sbirka/2004/sb215-04.pdf  

http://aplikace.mvcr.cz/archiv2008/
sbirka/1969/sb01-69.pdf  

http://aplikace.mvcr.cz/archiv2008/
sbirka/1963/sb56-63.pdf  

EN 

5 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Act  No.  500/2004  Coll.  of  14th  4th  December  1963, 
Administrative Procedure Code 

Notice  No.  110/2000  Coll.  Int.  Conv.,  European  Agreement  on 
the Transmission of Applications for Legal Aid 

Notice No. 58/2001 Coll. Int. Conv., Convention on International 
Access to Justice 

year 1963 on pages 383 

in 

Published 
the 
Collection  of  Laws  of 
the  Czech  Republic  for 
year  2000  on  pages 
9782 

in 

the 
of 

Published 
Collection 
International 
the 
of 
Conventions 
Czech  Republic 
for 
year  2000  on  pages 
1849 

in 

the 
of 

Published 
Collection 
International 
the 
Conventions 
of 
Czech  Republic 
for 
year 2001 on pages 893 

http://aplikace.mvcr.cz/archiv2008/
sbirka/2004/sb174-04.pdf  

http://aplikace.mvcr.cz/archiv2008/
sbirka/2000/sb048-00m.pdf  

http://aplikace.mvcr.cz/archiv2008/
sbirka/2001/sb023-01m.pdf  

DE 

Law on EC Legal Aid:  

“Law implementing Community Law provisions on cross-border 
legal aid in civil and commercial matters in the Member States” 

Adopted: 15 December 2004, entered into force on 21 December 
2004 

Federal  Law  Gazette 
„Bundesgesetzblatt“, 
Part 1, 2004, p. 3392 et. 
seqq. 

http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/ju
dicialatlascivil/html/pdf/national_la
w_la_ger_de.pdf  

EN 

6 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
EE 

State  Legal  Aid  Act,  entered  into  force  1  March  2005,  same 
provisions  entered  into  force  30  November  2004  and  30  May 
2006 1 

State  Gazette  I  2004, 
56, 403 

EL 

ES 

Law No 3226/2004, Grant of legal aid to low revenue citizens and 
other provisions, adoption 4/2/2004, in force on 4/2/2004, (date of 
publication in the Official Gazette) unless art. 10 which is in force 
on 30/11/2004  

ΦΥΛΛΟ 
ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙΔΑΣ  ΤΗΣ 
ΚΥΒΕΡΝΙΣΗΣ  (ΦΕΚ), 
Νο  24,  Volume  A, 
4/2/2004, page 593-600 

Law 16/2005 of July 18 amending the Law 1 / 1996 of January 1 
on free legal assistance in relation to cross-border disputes in civil 
and commercial matters in the European Union 

Ley 16/2005, de 18 de julio, por la que se modifica la Ley 1/1996, 
de  10  de  enero,  de  asistencia  jurídica  gratuita,  para  regular  las 
especialidades de los litigios transfronterizos civiles y mercantiles 
en la Unión Europea. 

Estonian 

- 
In 
https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/1325
9148 (official site) 

language 

- 
English 
In 
http://www.legaltext.ee/et/andmeba
as/tekst.asp?loc=text&dok=X30066
K2&keel=en&pg=1&ptyyp=RT&t
yyp=X&query=riigi+%F5igusabi 
(unofficial site) 

http://www.et.gr  (Official  Gazette 
site) 

http://www.boe.es/diario_borme/ 

FI 

Legal  Aid  Act,  Oikeusapulaki  (257/2002),  date  of  adoption  5 
April 2002, entry into force 1 June 2002 

Statutes 
(Suomen 

of  Finland 

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/
2002/20020257?search%5Btype%5

1 

EN 

According to State Legal Ais Act § 49 article 2 - Sections 33-35 of this Act enter into force on 30 November 2004, except in the part where state legal aid is applied for in 
extrajudicial proceedings. This Act applies to application for state legal aid in extrajudicial proceedings in international disputes as of 30 May 2006. 

7 

EN 

 
  
 
                                                 
Säädöskokoelma) 
257/2002, page 729 

D=pika&search%5Bpika%5D=oike
usapulaki 

Translation 
http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannok
set/2002/en20020257.pdf 

Act on Amendment of the Legal Aid Act (972/2004), 

Laki oikeusapulain muuttamisesta, date of adoption 19 November 
2004, entry into force 30 November 2004 

Statutes 
972/2004, page 2665 

of  Finland 

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kokoelm
a/2004/20040147.pdf 

Government  Decree  on  Legal  Aid  (388/2002),  Valtioneuvoston 
asetus  oikeusavusta,  date  of  adoption  23  May  2002,  entry  into 
force 1 June 2002 

Statutes 
388/2002, page 2900 

of  Finland 

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kokoelm
a/2002/20020064.pdf 

Translation: 

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannok
set/2002/en20020388.pdf  

Government Decree on Amendment of the Government Decree of 
Legal  Aid  (997/2004),  Valtioneuvoston  asetus  oikeusavusta 
annetun asetuksen muuttamisesta, date of adoption 25 November 
2004, entry into force 30 November 2004  

Statutes 
997/2004, page 2705 

of  Finland 

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kokoelm
a/2004/20040150.pdf 

Administrative  Procedure  Act  (434/2003),  Hallintolaki,  date  of 
adoption 6 June 2003, entry into force 1 January 2004 

Statutes 
434/2003, page 2023 

of  Finland 

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kokoelm
a/2003/20030073.pdf 

Translation 

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannok
set/2003/en20030434.pdf 

EN 

8 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Code of Judicial Procedure (4/1734), Oikeudenkäymiskaari, date 
of adoption 1 January 1734  

Information 

Laki 
Population 
Väestörekisterikeskuksen 
ja 
Väestötietojärjestelmästä 
varmennepalveluista, date of adoption 21 August 2009, entry into 
force 1 March 2010 

(661/2009), 

Act 

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/
1734/17340004000?search%5Btyp
e%5D=pika&search%5Bpika%5D=
oikeudenk%C3%A4ymiskaari 

Translation 

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannok
set/1734/en17340004.pdf  

Statutes 
661/2009, page 4157 

of  Finland 

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kokoelm
a/2009/20090099.pdf 

Aliens Act (301/2004), date of adoption 30 April 2004, entry into 
force 1 May 2004 

Statutes 
301/2004, page 849 

of  Finland 

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/
2004/20040301 

Translation 

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannok
set/2004/en20040301.pdf  

Act  on  Amendment  of  the  Legal  Aid  Act  (927/2008),  Laki 
oikeusapulain  muuttamisesta,  date  of  adoption  19  December 
2008, entry into force 1 December 2009 

Statutes 
927/2008, page 2885 

of  Finland 

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kokoelm
a/2008/20080150.pdf 

Government  Decree  on  Amendment  of  Section  26  of  the 
Governmnet Decree on Legal Aid (1208/2005), Valtioneuvoston 
asetus oikeusavustannetun asetuksen 26 § :n muuttamisesta, date 
of adoption 29 December 2005, entry into force 1 January 2006 

Statutes of Finland, 

1208/2005, page 5283 

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kokoelm
a/2005/20050198.pdf 

EN 

9 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Government  Decree  on  Amendment  of  the  Government  Decree 
on  Legal  Aid  (867/2007),  Valtioneuvoston  asetus  oikeusavusta 
annetun asetuksen muuttamiseksi, date of adoption 27 September 
2007, entry into force 1 January 2008 

Government  Decree  on  Amendment  of  the  Government  Decree 
on  Legal  Aid  (1008/2009),  Valtioneuvoston  asetus  oikeusavusta 
annetun  asetuksen  muuttamiseksi,  date  of  adoption  3  December 
2009, entry into force 1 January 2010 

Act  on  State  Legal  Aid  Offices  (258/2002),  Laki  valtion 
oikeusaputoimistoista,  date  of  adoption  5  April  2002,  entry  into 
force 1 June 2002 

Statutes 
867/2007, page 3879 

of  Finland 

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kokoelm
a/2007/20070135.pdf 

Statutes 
1008/2009, page 5062 

of  Finland 

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kokoelm
a/2009/20090144.pdf  

Statutes 
258/2002, page 739 

of  Finland 

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kokoelm
a/2002/20020041.pdf 

Code  of  Inheritance  (40/1965),  Perintökaari,  date  of  adoption  5 
February 1965 

Statutes 
65/1965 

of  Finland 

Marriage Act (234/1929), Avioliittolaki, date of adoption 13 June 
1929 

Statutes 
234/1929 

of  Finland 

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/
2002/20020258 

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/
1965/19650040?search%5Btype%5
D=pika&search%5Bpika%5D=peri
nt%C3%B6kaari 

Translation 

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannok
set/1965/en19650040.pdf 

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/
1929/19290234?search%5Btype%5
D=pika&search%5Bpika%5D=avio
liittolaki 

EN 

10 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
State  Compensation  for  Witnesses  Act  (666/1972),  Laki  valtion 
varoista  maksettavista  todistelukustannuksista,  date  of  adoption 
15 September 1972, entry into force 1 January 1973  

Statutes 
666/1972 

Translation 

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannok
set/1929/en19290234.pdf 

of  Finland 

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/
1972/19720666 

Translation  available  on  request 
from the Ministry of Justice  

law.translations@om.fi 

Decree on State Compensation for Witnesses (813/1972), Asetus 
valtion  varoista  maksettavista  todistelukustannuksista,  date  of 
adoption 15 December 1972, entry into force 1 January 1973 

Statutes 
813/1972 

of  Finland 

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/
1972/19720813 

FR 

Law nr 91-647 of10 July 1991 on legal aid 

OJ 13/07/1991, p.09170 www.legifrance.fr  

Loi n° 91-647 du 10 juillet 1991 relative à l’aide juridique 

Decree No. 91-1266 of 19 December 1991 on the legal aid 

OJ 20/12/1991 

www.legifrance.fr  

Décret n°91-1266 du 19 décembre 1991 relatif à l’aide juridique 

Act  No.  98-1035  of  18  December  1998  on  access  to  law  and 
amicable resolution of conflicts 

OJ 22/12/1998, p.19343 www.legifrance.fr  

Loi n° 98-1035 du 18 décembre 1998 relative à l’accès au droit et 
la résolution amiable de conflits 

EN 

11 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Act  No.  2005-750  of  4  July  2005  containing  various  provisions 
for adaptation to Community law in the field of justice 

OJ 06/07/2005 

www.legifrance.fr  

Loi  n°  2005-750  du  4  juillet  2005  portant  diverses  dispositions 
d’adaptation  au  droit  communautaire  dans  le  domaine  de  la 
justice 

Decree No. 2005-1470 of 29 November 2005 on legal aid granted 
in  cross-border  disputes  in  civil  and  commercial  and  amending 
Decree No. 91-1266 of 19 December 1991 

Décret  n°2005-1470  du  29  novembre  2005  relatif  à  l’aide 
juridictionnelle  accordée  dans  les  litiges  transfrontaliers  en 
matière civile et commercial et modifiant le décret n° 91-1266 du 
19 décembre 1991 

OJ 30/11/2005 

www.legifrance.fr  

Ordinance  No.  2005-1526  of  8  December  2005  amending  the 
Law 91-647 of 10 July 1991 on legal aid 

OJ 09/12/2005 

www.legifrance.fr  

Ordonnance  n°  2005-1526  du  8  décembre  2005  modifiant  la  loi 
91-647 du 10 juillet 1991 relative à l’aide juridique 

Act No. 2006-911 relating to immigration and integration of July 
24, 2006  

OJ 25/07/2006 

www.legifrance.fr  

Loi n° 2006-911 relative à l’immigration et à l’intégration du 24 
juillet 2006 

Act  No.  2007-210  of  19  February  2007  to  reform  the  legal 
expenses insurance 

OJ 21/02/2007 

www.legifrance.fr  

Loi  n°  2007-210  du  19  février  2007  portant  réforme  de 

EN 

12 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
l’assurance de protéction juridique 

Law  No.  2007-1631  of  20  November  2007  on  the  control  of 
immigration, integration and asylum  

OJ 21/11/2007 

www.legifrance.fr  

Loi n° 2007-1631 du 20 novembre 2007 relative à la maîtrise de 
l’immigration, à l’intégration et à l’asile 

HU 

Act LXXX of 2003 on Legal Aid of 20.10.2003, entry into force 
on 1 April 2004 

2003. évi LXXX. törvény a jogi segítségnyújtásról 

Magyar 
(Official 
2003/127 (XI.6.) 2003 

Közlöny 
Journal) 

Ministerial  Decree  No  56/2007  (XII.22.)  of  the  Minister  of 
Justice  on  the  detailed  rules  of  having  recourse  to  legal  aid,  22 
December 2007, entered into force on 1 January 2008 

56/2007. 
igénybevételének részletes szabályairól 

(XII.22.) 

rendelet  a 

Irm 

jogi 

segítségnyújtás 

Magyar 
(Official 
2007/181 
2007 

Közlöny 
Journal) 
(XII.22.), 

http://www.complex.hu/jr/gen/hjeg
y_doc.cgi?docid=A0300080.TV  

http://ec.europa.eu/ewsi/UDRW/im
ages/items/docl_15650_294267511
.pdf  

http://www.complex.hu/jr/gen/hjeg
y_doc.cgi?docid=A0700056.IRM  

Act  III  of  1952  on  the  Code  of  Civil  Procedure,  06  June  1952, 
enteredinto force on 1 January 1953 

(1952. évi III. törvény a polgári perrendtartásról) 

Magyar 
Közlöny 
Journal) 
(Official 
1952/48 (VI.06.), 1952 

http://www.complex.hu/jr/gen/hjeg
y_doc.cgi?docid=95200003.TV  

Governmental  Decree  No  322/2010  (XII.27.)  on  probation 
officers and organs providing, legal aid service, help for victims 
and  compensation  for  victims,  27  December  2010,  entered  into 
force on 1 January 2011 

Magyar 
(Official 
2010/198. 
2010 

Közlöny 
Journal) 
(XII.27.), 

http://www.complex.hu/jr/gen/hjeg
y_doc.cgi?docid=A1000322.KOR 

EN 

13 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(322/2010.  (XII.  27.)  Kormány  rendelet  a  pártfogó  felügyelői, 
jogi  segítségnyújtási,  áldozatsegítési  és  kárpótlási  feladatokat 
ellátó szervekről) 

Act  XX  of  1949  Constitution  of  the  Hungarian  Republic,  20 

August 1949, entered into force on 20 August 1949 

(949. évi XX. törvény a Magyar Köztársaság Alkotmánya) 

http://www.complex.hu/jr/gen/hjeg
y_doc.cgi?docid=94900020.TV 

http://ec.europa.eu/ewsi/UDRW/im
ages/items/docl_9836_634079862.
doc 

IE 

Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 

No. 32 of 1995 

1995 Act 

Published on 16 December 1995 and commenced on 11 October 
1996 (pursuant to the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 (Commencement) 
Order 1996)  

Commencement Order 

Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 

S.I. No. 276 of 1996 

1996 Regulations  

Published on 17 September 1996 and commenced on 11 October 
1996  

Civil Legal Aid (Refugee Legal Service) Order 1999 

S.I. No. 74 of 1999 

1999 Order 

Published and commenced on 29 March 1999 

Civil Legal Aid (Refugee Legal Service) (No. 2) Order 1999 

S.I. No. 262 of 1999  

1999 Order (No. 2) 

Published and commenced on 4 August 1999 

The Civil Legal Aid Regulations 2002 

S.I. No. 8 of 2002  

2002 Regulations 

EN 

14 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Published and commenced on 16 January 2002 

Civil Legal Aid (Refugee Appeals Tribunal) Order 2005 

S.I. No. 730 of 2005 

2005 Order 

Published on 21 November 2005 and commenced on 1 December 
2005 

Civil Legal Aid Regulations 2006 

S.I. No. 460 of 2006 

2006 Regulations 

Published  on  28  August  2006  and  commenced  on  1  September 
2006 

IT 

Legislative  Decree  n.116  of  27/5/2005  "Implementation  of 
Directive 2003/8/EC to improve access to justice in cross-border 
disputes by establishing minimum common rules relating to legal 
aid for such disputes" 

Gazzetta 
Ufficiale, 
Serie  Generale,  n.  151 
del 1/7/2005, pag. 8 

http://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/  

Decreto  Legislativo  n.116  del  27/5/2005  « Attuazione  della 
direttiva  2003/8/CE  intesa  a  migliorare  l’accesso  alla  giustizia 
nelle  controversie  transfrontaliere  attraverso  la  definizione  di 
norme minime comuni relative al patrocinio a spese dello Stato in 
tali controversie » 

LT 

Law  of  the  republic  of  Lithuania  amending  the  law  on  state-
guaranteed legal aid n°X-78 of 20 January 2005  

Official  Gazette  2000, 
n°  30-827;2001  n°  71-
2521;  2003,  n°  38-
1722,n° 123-5584 

LV 

The legal norms arising from Council Directive 2002/8/EC of 27 
January 2003 to improve access to justice in cross-border disputes 
by  establishing  minimum  common  rules  relating  to  legal  aid  for 

"Latvijas Vēstnesis", 52 
01.04.2005.; 
(3210), 
Ziņotājs, 8, 28.04.2005. 

http://www.vvc.gov.lv/export/sites/
default/docs/LRTA/Likumi/State_E
nsured_Legal_Aid_Law.doc 

EN 

15 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
such disputes have been included in this Law. 

State Ensured Legal Aid Law, has been adopted by the Saeima on 
17 March 2005, came into force on 1 June 2005. 

"Latvijas  Vēstnesis", 
(4370), 10.11.2010. 

178 

http://www.likumi.lv/doc.php?id=1
04831&version_date=01.01.2011 

Chapter  IV,  Legal  aid  in  cross-border  disputes,  Section  14  of 
12.06.2009, entered into force on 01.07.2009 

"Latvijas Vēstnesis", 97 (4083), 
26.06.2009.  

LU 

Law  of  10  August  1991  on 
Loi du 10 août 1991 sur la profession d’avocat 

the  Legal  Profession

Mémorial  A  N°  58  de 
1991 

http://www.vvc.gov.lv/export/sites/
default/docs/LRTA/Likumi/State_E
nsured_Legal_Aid_Law.doc 

http://www.likumi.lv/doc.php?id=1
04831&version_date=01.01.2011 

http://www.legilux.public.lu/leg/a/a
rchives/1991/0058/1991A11101.ht
ml 

Regulation of 18 September 1995 on legal aid 

Règlement  grand  ducal  du  18  septembre  1995  concernant 
l’assistance judiciaire 

Mémorial  A  N°  81  de 
1995 

http://www.legilux.public.lu/leg/a/a
rchives/1995/0081/1995A19131.ht
ml 

Regulation  of  29  October  2004  amending  the  Grand  Ducal 
Regulation of 18 September 1995 on legal aid 

Au  Mémorial  A  n°  188 
du 29.11.2004 

http://www.legilux.public.lu/leg/a/a
rchives/2004/0188/index.html 

Règlement grand ducal du  29  octobre 2004 portant modification 
du  règlement  grand  ducal  du  18  septembre  1995  concernant 
l’assistance judiciaire 

Ministerial  Regulation  of  16  November  1976  establishing  a 
reception and Legal Information 

Mémorial  A  N°  74  de 
1976 

http://www.legilux.public.lu/leg/sea
rch/index.php?query=all&include=
&exclude=&dt=0&in_year=&searc

EN 

16 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Règlement ministérielle du 16 novembre 1976 portant institution 
d’un service d’accueil et d’information juridique  

MT 

Law with the Legal notice n°342 of 2005 which is referred to as: 
“Code of Organization and Civil Procedure (Amendment) Order, 
2005”  (hereinafter  referred  to  as  COCP  (Amendment)  Order, 
2005). 

NL 

Law on legal aid dated 19.02.2005 

PL 

Act on the Right to Assistance in Civil Proceedings Performed in 
Member  States  of  the  European  Union  and  the  Right  to 
Assistance  to  Settle  a  Dispute  Amicably  Before  the  Initiation  of 
Such Proceedings, dated 17 December 2004, entered into force on 
1 February 2005.  

SG-
GREFFE(2005)D20055
4) 

Journal  of  Laws  of  the 
Republic 
of  Poland 
2005 No. 10 item 67;  

Ustawa o prawie pomocy w postępowaniu w sprawach cywilnych 
prowadzonym  w  państwach  członkowskich  Unii  Europejskiej 
oraz o prawie pomocy w celu ugodowego załatwienia sporu przed 
wszczęciem takiego postępowania 

amendment  to  the  act : 
Journal  of  Laws  of  the 
Republic 
of  Poland 
2006 No. 120 item 824 

Code of Civil Procedure, 17 November 1964, entered into force 1 
January 1965. 

Ustawa  z  dnia  17  listopada  1964  r.  -  Kodeks  postępowania 
cywilnego.  

Journal  of  Laws  of  the 
Republic 
of  Poland 
1964  No.  43  item  296 
with amendments 

hDate=date&from_day=15&from_
month=11&from_year=1976&to_d
ay=30&to_month=11&to_year=19
76&count=0&sort=0&search.x=14
&search.y=7&page=1  

http://www.overheid.nl/  

http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/DetailsServl
et?id=WDU20050100067 

http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/DetailsServl
et?id=WDU20061200824+2006%2
407%2421&min=1 

http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/DetailsServl
et?id=WDU19640430296  

EN 

17 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Act on Court Costs in Civil Cases of 28 July 2005, entered into 
force 2 March 2006 

Ustawa  o  kosztach  sądowych  w  sprawach  cywilnych  z  dnia  28 
lipca 2005 roku. 

Journal  of  Laws  of  the 
of  Poland 
Republic 
2005,  No.  167, 
item 
1398 with amendments 

http://isip.sejm.gov.pl/DetailsServle
t?id=WDU20051671398  

PT 

Law No 34/2004 of 29 July 2004 amending the rules on access to 
the law and to the courts and transposing into national legislation 
Council  Directive  2003/8/EC  of  27  January  2003  to  improve 
access 
in  cross-border  disputes  by  establishing 
minimum  common  rules  relating  to  legal  aid  for  such  disputes, 
entry into force 1 September 2004 

justice 

to 

Decree n ° 71/2005 of 17 March 2005 

4802  DIÁRIO  DA 
I 
REPÚBLICA— 
SÉRIE-A  N.o  177  — 
29 de Julho de 2004 

http://dre.pt/  

2362  DIÁRIO  DA 
REPÚBLICA—I 
SÉRIE-A  N.o  54—17 
de Março de 2005 

http://dre.pt/  

RO 

The Emergency Ordinance no.51/2008 on the legal aid in the civil 
disputes 

Monitor 
no.327/25.05.2008 

Oficial 

Law no.193/2008 

Monitor 
no.723/24.10.2008 

Oficial 

www.dreptonline.ro/.../ordonanta_i
nstituire_ajutor_materie_civila_oug
_51_2008.php; 

www.transparency.org.ro/politici_s
i_studii/.../OUG%2051-2008.pdf 

www.legestart.ro/Legea-193-2008-
aprobarea-Ordonantei-urgenta-
Guvernului-51-2008-ajutorul-
public-judiciar-...  

www.clr.ro/.../..%5Crep_htm%5CL

EN 

18 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
193_2008.htm 

SE 

Act  to  amend  the  Legal  Aid  Act  Date  of  adoption:  7  October 
2004, Date of entry into force: 1 November 2004 

Lag om ändring i rättshjälpslagen (1996 :1619) 

SFS  2004 :738  Lag  om 
ändring 
i 
rättshjälpslagen 
(1996 :1619) 

Legal Aid Act, Date of adoption: 5 December 1996, Date of entry 
into force: 1 December 1997 

SFS 
Rättshjälpslag 

1996 :1619 

Rättshjälpslagen (1996 :1619), Date of adoption  

Order amending the legal regulation, Date of adoption: 7 October 
2004, Date of entry into forc : 1 November 2004 

Förordning om ändring i rättshjälpsförordningen (1997 :404) 

SFS 
2004 :739 
Förordning  om  ändring 
i 
rättshjälpsförordningen 
(1997 :404) 

The Swedish Code of Judicial Procedure : chapter 5 section 6 and 
8, chapter 33 section 9 and chapter 36 section 24 

SFS 
Rättegångsbalken 

1942 :740 

http://www.regeringen.se/content/1/
c4/15/40/472970fc.pdf 

The  Swedish  Administrative  Court  Procedure  Act :  sections  26, 
50 and 52 

SFS 
1971 :291 
Förvaltningsprocesslag 

The Administrative Procedure Act : section 8 

Act on Non-contentious Matters : section 48 

SFS 
Förvaltningslag 

1986 :223 

SFS  1996 :242  Lag  om 
domstolsärenden 

http://www.sweden.gov.se/content/
1/c6/02/61/43/7d1cf048.pdf 

http://www.sweden.gov.se/content/
1/c6/02/78/34/50cf2e59.pdf 

SI 

Free  Legal  Aid  Act  (« ZBPP-A »,  Zakon  o  brezplačni  pravni  Official  Gazette  of  the  http://www.uradni-

EN 

19 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
pomoči) 

Adopted on April 22, 2004, entered into force on May 21, 2004. 

Free  Legal  Aid  Act  (« ZBPP-B »  Zakon  o  brezplačni  pravni 
pomoči 

Adopted on February 26, 2008, entered into force on September 
1, 2008. 

Courts Act (« ZS », Zakon o sodiščih, as amended)2 

Social  Security  Act  (« ZSV-B »,  Zakon  o  socialnem  varstvu,  as 
amended) 

Adopted on March 23, 2001, entered into force on April 27, 2001.

Act  regulating  adjustments  of  transfers  to  individuals  and 
housholds  in  the  Republic  of  Slovenia  (« ZUTPG »,  Zakon  o 
usklajevanju  transferjev  posameznikom  in  gospodinjstvom  v 
Republiki Sloveniji, as amended) 

Republic  of  Slovenia 
no.  50/2004,  published 
on  May  6,  2004,  pp. 
6703 – 6706. 

Official  Gazette  of  the 
Republic  of  Slovenia 
no.  23/2008,  published 
on  March  7,  2008,  pp. 
2079 – 2083. 

Official  Gazette  of  the 
Republic  of  Slovenia 
no.  94/2007,  published 
on  October  16,  2007, 
pp. 12651 – 12669. 

Official  Gazette  of  the 
Republic  of  Slovenia 
no.  26/2001,  published 
on  April  12,  2001,  pp. 
2767 – 2774. 

Official  Gazette  of  the 
Republic  of  Slovenia 
no. 114/2006, published 
on November 11, 2006, 
pp. 11836 – 11838. 

list.si/1/objava.jsp?urlid=200450&s
tevilka=2293  

http://www.uradni-
list.si/1/objava.jsp?urlid=200823&s
tevilka=832  

http://www.uradni-
list.si/1/objava.jsp?urlid=200794&s
tevilka=4686  

http://www.uradni-
list.si/1/objava.jsp?urlid=200126&s
tevilka=1583  

http://www.uradni-
list.si/1/objava.jsp?urlid=2006114&
stevilka=4833  

2 

EN 

The entered data refers to the most recent publicly available official consolidated wording of the act from 2007. The first version of the Act was adopted on March 24, 1994 
and entered into force on April 24, 1994. The provisions relevant to this matter have not changed considerably since 1994. 

20 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
                                                 
SK 

UK 

Adopted  on  October  26,  2007,  entered  into  force  on  January  1, 
2007. 

General  Administrative  Procedure  Act  («ZUP»,  Zakon  o 
splošnem upravnem postopku, as amended) 3 

The law of the Slovak Republic by the Act no. 327/2005 Coll. on 
provision  of  legal  aid  to  persons  in  material  need,  as  amended, 
which came in force on 1 January 2006 (the “Act on legal aid”). 

Official  Gazette  of  the 
Republic  of  Slovenia 
no.  24/2006,  published 
on  March  7,  2006,  pp. 
2477 – 2513. 

http://www.uradni-
list.si/1/objava.jsp?urlid=200624&s
tevilka=970  

http://www.justice.gov.sk/  

The  Community  Legal  Service 
Regulations 2004 (SI 2004/2889), 9 November 2004 

(Financial) 

(Amendment) 

The  Community  Legal  Service  (Funding)  (Amendment  No  2) 
Order 2004 (SI 2004/2900), 30th November 2004 

Community Legal Service (Funding) Order 2007 (SI 2007/2441), 
17th August 2007 

Lord Chancellor’s Direction on Cross Border Disputes, 16th June 
2008 

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/
2004/2899/contents/made  

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/
2004/2900/contents/made  

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/
2007/2441/contents/made  

www.legalservices.gov.uk/civil/cro
ssborder_direction.doc 

3 

EN 

The entered data refers to the most recent publicly available official consolidated wording of the act from 2006. The first version of the Act was adopted on September 16, 
1999 and entered into force on April 1, 2000. The provisions relevant to this matter have not changed considerably since 2000. 

21 

EN