REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE on the activities of the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters
Date: 2016-03-10
Institutions: Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers, European Commission
Subjects: European judicial area, access to the courts, civil law, commercial law, information network, information system, judicial cooperation in civil matters in the EU, operation of the Institutions

EN 

   EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 10.3.2016  COM(2016) 129 final   REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE on the activities of the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters  
 
 
1.  

INTRODUCTION: BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN JUDICIAL SYSTEMS 

The  European  Commission  has  set  the  establishment  of  an  area  of  justice  and  fundamental 
rights based on mutual trust as one of its ten key policy priorities. To reach that objective, the 
Commission is determined to strengthen common tools which contribute to building bridges 
between the different justice systems of the Member States and thereby creating mutual trust1. 
The European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters ("the Network") is through 
both its purpose and design precisely such a tool. 

The Network started operations on 1 December 2002. It was set up by Council Decision No 
2001/470/EC (“the Decision”) of 28 May 2001 establishing a European Judicial Network in 
civil and commercial matters2 to improve, simplify and expedite effective judicial cooperation 
between  the  Member  States  in  civil  and  commercial  matters.  In  2009,  Decision  No 
568/2009/EC  modernised  the  Network's  legal  framework  and  expanded  its  tasks,  activities 
and membership structure on the basis of a first report of 20063. Now, after several years of 
further  operation  and in  the  light  of  its  additional responsibilities  arising  from  recent  Union 
legislative instruments in civil and commercial matters, is an appropriate moment to report on 
the Network's operation, as provided for by Article 19 of the Decision. 

The Network's main tasks are4: 

• 
• 

• 

direct contacts and case-handling between national Network contact points; 
facilitating cross-border access to justice through information given to the public and 
to practitioners through factsheets and other publications available at the European e-
Justice Portal in all Union languages; 
evaluating  and  sharing  of  experience  on  the  operation  of  specific  Union  law 
instruments in civil and commercial matters. 

Building on its achievements so far, the Commission aims at further improving the role and 
functioning of the Network5. As referred to in the Communication from the Commission of 11 
March 2014 on the EU Justice Agenda for 20206, existing mechanisms such as the Network 
"should be strengthened and their potential fully exploited, including online." This objective 
was taken forward by the strategic guidelines of the European Council of 26/27 June 2014 for 
legislative and operational planning for the coming years within the area of freedom, security 
and justice, which refer to "the overall priority now [...] to consistently transpose, effectively 
implement and consolidate the legal instruments and policy measures in place."7 

This report is based on the findings of a study commissioned by the Commission in 2014 on 
the activities of the Network ("the study") which can be consulted online8 and which contains 
data on its operation. In that context, an extensive consultation of the members of the Network 
has taken place, including an online consultation via the European e-Justice Portal. 

1 A new start for Europe: My Agenda for Jobs, Growth, Fairness and Democratic Change. Political Guidelines 
for the next European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, Strasbourg, 15.7.2014., chapter 7 
2 OJ L 174, 27.6.2001, p. 25 
3 COM(2006) 203 final, 16.5.2006 
4 Article 3 of the Decision 
5 Titles I, II and III of the Decision 
6 COM(2014) 144 final, 11.3.2014, point 4.1(v) 
7 Conclusions of the European Council (26/27.6.2014), point 3 
8 http://bookshop.europa.eu/en/evaluation-of-the-activities-of-the-european-judicial-network-in-civil-and-  
commercial-matters-pbDS0114824/?CatalogCategoryID=luYKABst3IwAAAEjxJEY4e5L 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
• 

• 

2. 

STRUCTURE AND OPERATION OF THE NETWORK 

2.1 

The Network's members: towards a stronger interaction 

The  Network's  membership  structure  has  evolved  during  the  last  years,  mainly  due  to  the 
integration  of  associations  of  legal  professionals  and  the  adoption  of  new  Union  law.  The 
Network is made up of 505 members9 according to the following categories: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

contact points designated by the Member States (139 members); 

central authorities, designated pursuant to specific Union instruments10 and 
international agreements (124 members); 

liaison magistrates (6 members); 

other judicial or administrative authorities with responsibilities for judicial cooperation 
in civil and commercial matters (166 members); 

professional associations representing legal practitioners directly involved in the 
application of instruments in civil and commercial matters (70 members). 

The  study  has  shown  that  the  interaction  between  all  Network  members  could  be  further 
improved  as  it  is  important  for  the  efficient  functioning  of  the  Network  to  ensure  full 
operational  judicial  cooperation,  notwithstanding  steps  taken  through  existing  initiatives11. 
National Network coordination activities such as meetings of national Network members can 
also contribute to reach that objective. This good practice, which already exists in a number of 
Member  States,  should  be  expanded  to  all  Member  States  taking  part  in  the  Network.  This 
will  have  a  multiplier  effect  in  raising  awareness  of  Network  activities  and  increase  the 
Network’s visibility in the Member States12. Such initiatives improve not only the cooperation 
between all Network  members but  also  between the Union and Member State authorities to 
efficiently  implement  Union  instruments  on  judicial  cooperation  in  civil  and  commercial 
matters. 

2.1.1 Contact points and their resources 

The contact points have a central role in the functioning of the Network. They ensure the day-
to-day  operation  of  the  Network  between  Member  States'  authorities  but  also  coordinate 
inside with other Network members. On average, Member States notified five contact points 
while most Member States notified two or three. 

Member  States  are  required  by  Article  2a  of  the  Decision  to  ensure  that  the  contact  points 
have  sufficient  and  appropriate  facilities  in  terms  of  staff,  resources  and  modern  means  of 

9 Denmark does not participate in the Network but may take part as observer in its Network meetings. 
10 The following Union instruments provide for central authorities: Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003 ("Brussels IIa 
Regulation"), Regulation (EC) No 1393/2007 on Service of Documents and Regulation (EC) No 4/2009 on 
Maintenance Obligations. Regulation (EC) No 1206/2001 on the Taking of Evidence in civil and commercial 
matters provides for central bodies. 
11 The study, p. 35 
12 The study, p. 39 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
communication. Consultations of the Network members by the Commission in 2014 showed 
that some Member States have dedicated multiple staff members to their contact points, along 
with appropriate resources in terms of communication and internet presence. These resources 
are  of  particular  importance,  since  tasks  are  increasingly  assigned  to  the  Network  to  ensure 
the  practical  operation  of  Union  instruments  in  civil  and  commercial  matters.  The 
organisational  resources  should  correspond  to  the  importance  of  enabling  contact  points  to 
efficiently undertake the assigned tasks and operations.  

The  Commission  has  observed through  Network  consultations  that,  on occasion,  difficulties 
have  arisen  in  the  field  of  reporting  on  the  implementation  of  Union  instruments,  including 
data  collection  and  making  information  on  national  law  publicly  available.  Therefore,  in 
carrying out these tasks, contact points should be able to rely on other authorities for support 
and sharing of knowledge.  

2.1.2  The integration of the legal professions: an increased involvement 

A key element of the modernised legal framework of the Network introduced by Decision No 
568/2009/EC  was  to  open  the  Network  to  associations  of  the  legal  professions  directly 
involved  in  judicial  cooperation  in  civil  and  commercial  matters.  By  this  inclusion,  the 
Network  has  made  a  significant  step  in  ensuring  that  judicial  cooperation  and  proper 
application  of  EU  law  are  adhered  to  by  all  practitioners  involved  in  its  implementation. 
Based  on  notifications  made  by  the  Member  States,  as  of  April  2015,  70  professional 
associations, in particular those representing lawyers, notaries and bailiffs are members of the 
Network.  The  study  indicates,  however,  that  the  associations  of  the  legal  professions 
sometimes  feel  insufficiently  involved 13 .  Whereas  most  Member  States  have  notified 
associations of legal professions as members of the Network and systematically invite them to 
take  part  in  Network  activities,  three  Member  States  have  not  yet  made  such  a  notification. 
Therefore,  it  is  important  to  follow  the  good  practice  of  most  Member  States  of  including 
associations of legal professions in the Network's functioning. 

The  amended  Decision  also  makes  membership  available  to  legal  professionals  when  they 
exercise  judicial  functions  under  specific  Union  instruments.  This  has  become  particularly 
relevant in the context of Regulation (EU) No 650/2012 on Successions14. Legal professionals 
which participate in the Network in this capacity can make use of all the functionalities of the 
Network. 

The Network maintains a working relationship with Union level professional associations and 
networks.  The  Decision  does  not  provide  for  their  Network  membership.  However,  these 
associations  are  regularly  invited  as  observers  at  the  meetings,  offer  insight  into  their  work 
and may contribute to substantial discussions when considered appropriate.  

13 The study, p. 33 
14 The term "court" under Article 3(2) of Regulation (EU) No 650/2012 covers not only courts in the true sense 
of the word, exercising judicial functions, but also the notaries or registry offices in some Member States who 
exercise judicial functions. 

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
2.2. Modus operandi of the Network 

a) 

Meetings of the Contact Points, including meetings of Central Authorities 

According to its founding Decision, meetings have proved to be essential for the Network to 
exchange  good  practices  and  experience,  identify  possible  shortcomings  and  develop  a 
common understanding on the application of Union instruments15. They are also a key factor 
to  enable  the  Network  to  solve  pending  requests  or  problems  between  authorities  and  take 
commonly agreed decisions in the Network16. The meetings are particularly useful to monitor 
and  evaluate  the  effective  implementation  of  Union  instruments  on  judicial  cooperation  in 
civil and commercial matters. They also have an important function in building trust between 
the  different  actors  involved  and  contribute  to  the  proper  application  of  Union  law.  The 
Decision  sets  out  a  minimum  of  one  meeting  of  the  contact  points  to  be  held  at  least  once 
every  six  months.  During  the  period  2009  –  2015,  the  Commission  organised  38  meetings. 
The  contact  point  meetings  are  dedicated  to  a  particular  Union  instrument,  in  order  to 
facilitate focused participation from Member States’ specialists.  

Besides the regular meetings between contact points, an annual meeting is held including all 
Network  members  in  which  a  broad  variety  of  topics  relevant  to  the  Network's  members  is 
discussed.  Specific  meetings  are  organised  at  least  once  per  year  for  Central  Authorities 
established under  Regulation  (EC) No 2201/2003  (the "Brussels  IIa Regulation")  and under 
Regulation (EC) No 4/2009 on Maintenance Obligations. 

b) 

Bilateral meetings 

Alongside these regular meetings, bilateral meetings are organised between case-handlers and 
authorities involved under the cooperation mechanisms provided for in both the Brussels IIa 
Regulation and the Regulation on Maintenance Obligations. The objective of these meetings 
is  to  facilitate  case-handling  of  pending  individual  cross-border  cases  for  which  solutions 
need  to  be  found  via  contacts  between  Member  States'  authorities.  These  cases  frequently 
involve sensitive issues such as child abduction matters or claims on maintenance obligations. 
The  Commission  facilitates  these  meetings  in  a  confidential  setting  to  enable  efficient 
solutions  to  individual  cases  pending  between  Member  States'  authorities.  These  direct 
contacts are a useful and practical means of cooperation and of strengthening trust17. During 
the  period  2010  to  2014,  204  individual  meetings  were  organised  under  the  Brussels  IIa 
Regulation and during the period 2013 to 2015, 107 such meetings were organised under the 
Regulation on Maintenance Obligations. 

c) 

Working groups 

The Network has set up working groups on specific subject matters which have an essential 
supportive  function.  Such  working  groups  are  regularly  created  ad  hoc  upon  request  of  the 
Member  States  in  cooperation  with  the  Commission.  Participation  in  the  working  groups  is 
open to all Network members in coordination with their national contact points. The working 
groups  propose,  prepare  or  implement  concrete  action  under  the  Network.  The  chair  of  a 
working group is usually ensured by a national contact point or another Network member.  

15 Title II of the Decision 
16 The study, p. 45, 46 
17 The study, p. 47 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
In the period 2009 – 2015, eleven working groups have been established on:  

• Brussels IIa statistical data 

• Maintenance arrears forms 

• Family mediation 

• Small claims practice guide 

• Guidance on Annexes VI and VII 
to the Regulation on Maintenance 
Obligations  
• European Payment Order practice 
guide 
• Visibility of the Network 

•  Brussels  I  recast  –  note  pursuant 
to Article 26(2) 

• Citizens' guide on the Regulation 
on Successions 

in 

law 

• Practice guide on jurisdiction and 
international 
applicable 
disputes between the employee and 
the employer 
• Information exchange on access to foreign law under the Regulation on 
Successions 

d)  

Case handling and processing of requests by the contact points 

One  of  the  fundamental  tasks  of  the  Network  is  to  facilitate  direct  contacts  between 
authorities in charge of judicial cooperation in civil matters. This is particularly relevant for 
case  handling  and  allows  a  case-by-case  approach  in  implementing  the  relevant  Union 
instruments.  Data  gathered  through consultations  of  the  Network  has  shown  a  mixed,  albeit 
incomplete, picture that indicates great variation in the use of the Network for this purpose. 
This  provides  an  indication  that  better  use  should  be  made  of  this  aspect  of  the  Network’s 
cooperation mechanisms.  

e)  

Electronic tools and communication methods within the Network 

The Network currently uses the CIRCA intranet provided by the Commission for posting of 
documents, in particular the list of Network members and meeting documents. However, no 
electronic system exists for dealing with requests among Member States. 

The  Decision  envisages  the  use  of  a  secure,  limited-access  electronic  register  based  on 
information supplied by the contact points18. An earlier system which was put in place for this 
purpose  was  considered  to  be  too  burdensome  in  its  day-to-day  application  and  was 
abandoned. Therefore, the need for an efficient registration of case handling between contact 
points remains. In that context, an electronic communications tool which allows for automatic 
registration  of  requests  would  provide  benefits  by  eliminating  bureaucratic  burdens  and 
facilitating the collection of statistical data, as well as by improving the use of the Network's 
cooperation mechanisms as referred to in point d.  

In this respect, the Commission intends to assess the financial and technical implications of 
putting  in  place  a  tool  or  adapting  an  existing  tool  to  serve  the  purposes  mentioned  above 
which  could  be  accessed  from  the  Network's  section  at  the  European  e-Justice  Portal. 
Inspiration could be drawn from the Single Market in which such cooperation is facilitated by 
the Internal Market Information System (IMI) since 200819. 

18 Article 8(3) of the Decision 
19 The Internal Market Information System is a multilingual web-based electronic communication system put in 
place by Regulation (EU) No 1024/2012.  

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
3. EVALUATING EXISTING INSTRUMENTS - DATA COLLECTION 

One  of  the  Network's  core  functions  is  to  monitor  the  application  and  evaluation  of  Union 
instruments in place. In that context, the gathering of statistical data is not yet at a satisfactory 
level. The collection of statistical data and evidence is indispensable for the proper evaluation 
of the functioning of Union instruments in civil and commercial matters already in place, as 
an important element to ensure the application of better regulation principles according to the 
Communication from the Commission of 19 May 2015 Better regulation for better results - 
An  EU  agenda 20.  In  accordance  with  the  Better  Regulation  Guidelines 21,  it  needs  to  be 
determined  which  evidence  could  be  gathered  and  from  whom  and  at  which  moment  such 
evidence should be collected. 

A common effort needs to be devoted by the Member States and the Commission to identify 
what is to be considered as essential data for each Union instrument in civil and commercial 
matters.  On  that  basis,  a  framework  of  statistical  data  gathering  should  be  put  in  place  by 
Member  States,  which  would  include  collecting  essential  data  for  each  Union  instrument. 
Consultations  with  Eurostat  may  optimise  the  methods,  standards  and  definitions  for  the 
collection  of  statistics  under  the  Network,  in  full  cooperation  with  the  contact  points  and 
central authorities acting in the Network. In parallel, Member States should adapt their data 
collection systems at courts and other judicial and administrative authorities. 

4. 

FACILITATING ACCESS TO JUSTICE 

4.1   Development and Implementation of European e-Justice 

Since the very beginning of its operations, it has been a core function of the Network22 to set 
up an online information system for the public on Union instruments, national measures for 
their implementation, national law, international instruments and on relevant case-law by the 
Court  of  Justice.  On  that  basis,  the  Network  today  strongly  contributes  to  the  further 
development  of  e-Justice.  This  was  acknowledged  in  the  Multiannual  European  e-Justice 
Action Plan 2014-2018 of the Council23.  

The migration of the Network's website to the European e-Justice Portal should be finalised in 
2016.  To  improve  the  Network's  visibility  at  the  European  e-Justice Portal  and  to  make  the 
content provided by the Network better accessible, a specific section for the Network is being 
developed  in  the  European  e-Justice  Portal.  The  pages  of  this  section  should  be  clearly 
branded with the Network's logo. These functionalities need to be fully interlinked with other 
tools  relevant  for  practitioners  such  as  the  Judicial  Atlas  in  Civil  Matters,  the  future  court 
database  or  the  dynamic  forms  linked  to  the  EU  legislative  instruments  available  at  the 
European e-Justice Portal. 

The  information  provided  by  the  Network  includes  factsheets  dealing  with  questions  on 
access to justice in Member States. These factsheets provide information on national law and 
procedures.  Particular  attention  is  given  to  issues  relating  to  access  to  justice  and  access  to 
foreign law. 

20 COM(2015) 215 final 
21 SWD(2015) 111 final, p.43 
22 Articles 14 to 18 of the Decision 
23 OJ C 182, 14.6.2014, p. 2 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
Currently,  the  Network  has  posted  10  695  pages  of  information  factsheets  on  national  law, 
which for the year 2014 generated a total of 359 184 page views (an average rate of 29 932 
views per month). This increased significantly in 2015 with a total of 2 994 122 page views 
(an average rate of 249 510 per month) after having made available factsheets on succession, 
family  mediation,  applicable  law  and  maintenance  claims  and  probably  due  to  the  specific 
communication  campaign  by  the  Commission  following  the  entry  into  application  of 
Regulation (EU) No 650/2012 on Successions as of 17 August 2015.  

The  content  of  these  pages  on  national  laws  and  procedures  is  drawn-up  at  national  level, 
verified and regularly updated by the national Network's e-Justice content managers.  

Currently factsheets are available for the following subject matters: 

• Jurisdiction 
• Small claims 

• Taking of evidence 

• Use of information technologies 
in judicial proceedings  
• Parental responsibility 
• Family mediation 

• Bringing a case to court  
• Divorce 

• Interim and precautionary 
measures 
• Lawful removal of the child 

• Order for payment procedures 
• Procedures for enforcing a 
judgment 
• Procedural time limits 

• Maintenance claims 

• Insolvency 
• Service of documents 

• Successions 
• Applicable law 

Work  is  ongoing  to  prepare  factsheets  on  three  additional  subject  matters,  namely  statutory 
interest, taking of evidence and national structures of the Network. As to existing factsheets, 
their regular update, reliability and linguistic accuracy has to be guaranteed to be ensured by 
monitoring tools which have been put in place under the European e-Justice Portal's content 
management system. 

An  additional  area  where  the  Network  may  provide  useful  support  to  national  authorities  is 
the coordination and organisation of cross border videoconferencing between courts.  

4.2.  Guides on Union law instruments 

In  order  to  strengthen  the  efficient  application  of  Union  instruments,  the  Network  has 
produced  citizens'  and  practitioners'  guides,  aimed  at  promoting  the  uniform  application  of 
Union  law  in  civil  and  commercial  matters  by  courts  and  other  legal  practitioners.  These 
guides are targeted either to citizens or to courts and legal practitioners. 

In the period 2009-2014, the following guides have been produced: 

Citizens Guides 

• Cross-border civil litigation in the European Union 

• European Small Claims Procedure 

Practitioners Guides 

• Judicial cooperation in civil matters in the 
European Union 
• Application of the Brussels IIa Regulation 
• Application of the European Small Claims 
Procedure 
• Application of the Regulation on the European 
Order for Payment 
• Application of the Regulation on the European 
Enforcement Order 

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The publications are available online in 23 languages at the European e-Justice Portal24 and at 
the  European  Commission's  website  of  DG  Justice  and  Consumers  or  at  the  EU  Bookshop. 
According to the results of the study, respondents rated the Network’s publications positively. 
Almost 70% indicated that the practitioners' guides correspond to their needs. 60% perceived 
their needs are met with the factsheets25.  

Nevertheless,  a  better  promotion  of  these  guides  would  be  worthwhile,  for  example,  at 
practitioner  events,  such  as  training  events.  At  the  European  e-Justice  Portal,  their 
accessibility needs to be facilitated, and all websites of the institutions to which members of 
the Network belong should provide for links to the guides. 

4.3.   Other practice tools 

The  Network  engages  in  producing  additional  practical  tools.  These  are  developed  at  the 
initiative  of  contact  points  in  response  to  specific  needs  identified  following  experience  in 
applying Union instruments in civil and commercial matters. 

In the period 2009-2014, the following such initiatives have been pursued: 

Collection of statistics under the Brussels IIa Regulation  Evaluation of mechanisms under the Brussels IIa 

Tool 

Functions 

Non-compulsory calculation form on maintenance 
arrears 
Guide on maintenance forms 

Non-mandatory note on Article 26(2) of the Brussels I 
Regulation (recast) 

Regulation; 
Facilitates the calculation of maintenance arrears; 

Facilitates the completion of the forms under the 
Regulation on Maintenance Obligations; 
Optional standard text for courts to inform the 
citizens of their rights to contest the jurisdiction of 
the court; 

5.  

VISIBILITY OF THE NETWORK 

5.1.  Visibility among legal practitioners and citizens 

The  Network  can  only  be  successful  in  fulfilling  its  potential  if  the  legal  practitioners  are 
aware of its existence and the tools it offers. Therefore, steps need to be taken at national and 
Union level to increase the visibility of the Network in general. 

The  level  of  visibility  of  the  Network  depends  mainly  on  the  national  structures  in  every 
Member  State.  It  can  be  observed  that  in  those  Member  States  in  which  a  formal  national 
network exists, the information flow among all the stakeholders seems to work better which 
has effects on higher visibility of the Network.  

At  its  Network's  annual  meeting  in  February  2015,  the  Network  agreed  to  give  priority  to 
increasing  the  visibility  of  the  Network  not  only  among  legal  practitioners  but  also  among 
citizens. Actions should relate to improving the Network's visibility at the European e-Justice 
Portal,  increasing  its  presence  at  national  websites,  social  media  and  at  courts  or  the  legal 
professions  via  printed  and  online  material.  In  February  2015,  a  Twitter  hashtag  #EJNcivil 

24 The publications of the Network are available at the European e-Justice Portal: https://e-
justice.europa.eu/content_ejn_s_publications-287-en.do?clang=en  
25 The study, p. 51  

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
was put in place by the Commission which has been used to disseminate results achieved by 
the  Network.  Furthermore,  the  Network  has  always  played  a  central  role  in  promoting  the 
European  Day  of  Justice  and  Member  States  should  use  it  as  a  forum  for  initiating  cross-
border events. 

In  this  context,  the  transparent  functioning  of  the  Network  is  also  important.  Making 
information  available  to  the  public  concerning  meeting  agendas  and  summaries  of  meeting 
results would be beneficial for the Network and those who wish to make use of it. It should be 
noted,  that  the  Network  functions  under  the  framework  of  Regulation  (EC)  No  1049/2001 
regarding  public  access  to  European  Parliament,  Council  and  Commission  documents, 
making its documents available under these provisions.  

5.2.  Contacts with other networks 

Synergies  with  other  networks  and  intergovernmental  organisations  that  share  its  objectives 
help the Network to fulfil its main functions and tasks under the Decision and are foreseen in 
Article 12a (1) of the Decision. 

In  this  regard,  the  Network  cooperates  with  the  European  Judicial  Network  (in  criminal 
matters)26,  the  European  Judicial  Training  Network  (EJTN)27 and  the  European  Consumer 
Centres Network (ECC-Net)28. Notably, the Network closely cooperates with the EJTN in its 
initiatives concerning judicial training on EU instruments in the field of civil and commercial 
law. This cooperation serves to share expertise and to identify via the Network specific issues 
on which judicial training could be offered by the EJTN.  

Finally,  contacts  with  other  networks,  such  as  Your  Europe  Advice29 and  Solvit  should  be 
further  developed.  These  other  networks  should  be  invited  when  subjects  are  discussed  at 
meetings on which they can contribute.  

6. 

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS  

The  Network  has  provided  substantial  support  for  efficient  judicial  cooperation  between 
Member States in civil and commercial matters and the full participation of its members is an 
integral  part  of  the  day  to  day  implementation  of  the  Union  acquis  in  civil  justice  matters. 
Moreover,  the  amendments  to  the  Decision  introduced  in  2009  have  contributed  to  the 
Network’s  positive  development.  The  Network  has  proved  to  work  effectively  although 
improvements in its operations can be made within the existing legal framework. Therefore, 
the Commission draws the conclusion that there is no need to amend the Decision. 

However, building on initiatives already ongoing, there are still areas in which the Network 
should  further  develop  its  capacities  further  so  as  to  meet  its  responsibility  in  ensuring  the 
smooth  application  of  Union  instruments  of  judicial  cooperation  in  civil  and  commercial 
matters.  The  Commission  has  identified  seven  key  points  for  further  action  to  improve  the 
Network's functioning: 

26 http://www.ejn-crimjust.europa.eu/ejn/ 
27 http://www.ejtn.eu  
28 http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/solving_consumer_disputes/non-judicial_redress/ecc-net/index_en.htm  
29 http://europa.eu/youreurope/advice 

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
(1) In line with the Decision and following best practices in some Member States, all 
contact points should be given the necessary resources and support at national level, in 
order to be able to effectively cope with their increasing tasks; 

(2)  Building  on  best  practices  in  a  number  of  Member  States,  networks  should  be 
established at national level in all Member States, bringing together national Network 
members,  ensuring  interaction  at  a  national  level  as  well  as  knowledge  sharing  and 
gathering of information; 

(3)  A  stronger  integration  of  judges  and  other  judicial  authorities  as  well  as  legal 
professionals in all of the Network’s activities should be ensured; 

(4)  Synergies  with  other  European  networks  pursuing  similar  aims  should  be 
extended;  

(5) An even greater visibility of the Network should be achieved, in particular on the 
basis of the ongoing work to enhance its presence and through a dedicated section in 
the  European  e-Justice  Portal  as  well  as  to  enhance  the  Network’s  presence  on  the 
national  websites  of  the  institutions  to  which  Network  members  belong  to  and  by 
disseminating information via social media and other communication channels; 

(6) The Network's role in the full ex post evaluation of existing instruments should be 
further developed through the identification and collection of key statistical data based 
on national data collection mechanisms; 

(7)  The  Commission  intends  to  assess  the  financial  and  technical  implications  of 
putting in place a tool or adapting an existing electronic information exchange tool for 
secure communication and registration to be used by the contact points. 

In  line  with  the  Communication  from  the  Commission  on  the  EU  Justice  Agenda  for  2020, 
and the strategic guidelines of the European Council of 26/27 June 2014, and in accordance 
with  Article  19  of  the  Decision,  the  next  report  will  build  on  the  existing  findings  and  will 
provide a full evaluation of the impact of the activities of the Network. 

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