Civil Justice
Debt recovery made faster, cheaper and more efficient
Today, new rules on the European Account Preservation Order (the EAPO) enter into force in the European Union. Thanks to the EAPO, businesses and citizens will be able to recover millions in cross-border debts by requesting that the amount owed to them be blocked on the debtor's bank accounts
Commission finds credit institutions and investment firms still should improve diversity on boards
Diversity in the management bodies of credit institutions and investment firms can still be improved, finds a European Commission report published today. Only around one third of the institutions in the sample had a diversity policy in place, and only around one fifth of their board members were women.
Commission proposes new approach to business insolvency in Europe
The European Commission is for the first time presenting a set of European rules on business insolvency today. Well-functioning insolvency and restructuring systems are key to supporting economic growth. This initiative aims to enhance the "rescue culture" in the EU. It will allow companies in financial difficulties to restructure early on so as to prevent bankruptcy and avoid laying off staff. At the same time it provides rules on giving honest entrepreneurs a second chance of doing business after a bankruptcy.
EU rules on remuneration for banks and investment firms work, but the proportionality principle needs to be clarified
The European Commission released today a report on the remuneration rules for banks and investment firms. It finds that the remuneration rules are generally effective in curbing excessive risk-taking behaviour and short-termism. These were precisely the reasons why the rules were introduced in the aftermath of the financial crisis.
Convergence of insolvency frameworks within the European Union - the way forward
Conference organised under the auspices of the Slovak Republic Presidency of the EU
Commission proposes new rules to better protect children in cross-border family proceedings
Today, the European Commission is proposing improvements to the EU rules that protect children in the context of cross-border parental responsibility disputes related to custody, access rights and child abduction. The new rules will speed up the legal and administrative proceedings and ensure that the child's best interest is always taken into account.
Final adoption of new rules to cut red tape on citizens' public documents
Today the European Parliament has adopted the regulation, proposed by the Commission, to cut costs and formalities for citizens who need to present a public document in another EU country.
Commission launches public consultation on insolvency in the European Union
Today, the European Commission has launched a public consultation on insolvency frameworks in the European Union. More and more companies and individuals are doing business in other EU countries, taking advantage of the EU's single market and the free flow of capital. However, inefficiency and divergence of insolvency frameworks make it harder for investors to assess credit risk, particularly in cross-border investments, preventing the integration of capital markets in the EU.
Report on the activities of the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters
The Commission adopted on 10 March 2016 the report on the activities of the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters (EJN-civil). This report provides an analysis of the substantial support of EJN-civil over the last five years for developing day-to-day judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters between Member States. The report also paves the way forward to further developing judicial cooperation and building additional capacities of the EJN to ensure efficient application of Union civil justice instruments.
Commission goes ahead with 17 Member States to clarify property rights for Europe’s international couples
The European Commission adopted today proposals to clarify the property rights for international married couples or registered partnerships. These proposals will establish clear rules in cases of divorce or death and bring an end to parallel and possibly conflicting proceedings in various Member States, for instance on property or bank accounts. In short, it will bring more legal clarity for international couples. Since it was not possible to reach unanimity among 28 Member States on proposals originally brought forward in 2011, the Commission is now going ahead with 17 Member States willing to join this initiative through an enhanced cooperation.
Commission goes ahead with 17 Member States to clarify the rules applicable to property regimes for Europe’s international couples
European - Press release Commission Brussels, 2 March 2016 The European Commission adopted today proposals to clarify the rules applicable to property regimes for international married couples or registered partnerships. These proposals will establish clear rules in cases of divorce or death and bring an end to parallel and possibly...
Revision of a European Small Claims Procedure published in Official Journal
Regulation (EU) 2015/2421 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2015 amending Regulation (EC) No 861/2007 establishing a European Small Claims Procedure and Regulation (EC) No 1896/2006 creating a European order for payment procedure has been published in the Official Journal on 24 December 2015, OJ L 341 of 24.12.2015, p. 1:
Public consultation on impacts of maximum remuneration ratio under Capital Requirements Directive 2013/36/EU (CRD IV), and overall efficiency of CRD IV remuneration rules
On 26 June 2013, the new regulatory and capital requirements package for banks and investment firms was adopted ("CRD IV"). The package composed of a Directive (CRD) and a Regulation (CRR) lays down re-enforced principles and rules for remuneration policies of institutions.