Restricted call to members of the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters and to the national authorities, courts and professional association

Topic description

Scope:

1.1. Priorities

The main objective is to contribute to the effective and coherent application of the acquis relating to judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters.

The priority shall be given to the following:

• support setting up and strengthening of national networks under the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters in order to ensure better implementation and case-handling under the civil justice legislation.

The aim of strengthened national networks would be to promote better implementation of EU civil justice instruments through cooperation, dialogue, sharing of experience, exchange of information and training (where appropriate also in liaison with other national systems). Through these activities the national projects would promote full involvement of all national Network members, ensuring interaction at a national level as well as knowledge sharing and gathering of information. It can be expected that this would contribute to increasing the national substantial input to the Network's activities (in particular the Network meetings) and thereby strengthen the action and visibility of the Network as a whole. As a result, this would deepen EU-wide building bridges and mutual trust between different justice systems.

Regarding proposals not in line with these priorities, they may still be awarded funding if applicants can justify this by the necessity to improve the implementation and application of the civil or criminal justice acquis on the basis of an evidence-based needs assessment, showing that more activities are required for the proper application of EU law in the field to be covered.

1.2. Description of the activities to be funded

This topic will cover the following activities:

• analytical activities, such as data collection, surveys, research activities, etc;

• mutual learning, identifying and exchange of best practices, development of working methods which may be transferable to other participating countries;

• exchange and provision of information and development of information tools;

• capacity building for professionals;

• facilitating cooperation between competent authorities and agencies, legal practitioners and/or service providers (including multi-disciplinary networks at international, national, regional or local levels);

• dissemination and awareness raising activities.

Training activities can also be funded under this call, as long as they are of ancillary nature and not the main purpose of the project.

Activities must take place in countries participating to the JUSTICE Programme to be eligible for funding (See eligibility criteria and Annex on Financial Provisions).

1.3. Expected results

• Increased capacity of national practitioners, courts and authorities to address issues related to judicial cooperation in civil matters, and to the application of the Union instruments on civil and civil procedural law;

• Strengthened cooperation and exchange of information between competent national authorities, including courts in relation to judicial cooperation in civil matters, including taking into account the relevant case-law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, CJEU;

• Improved knowledge on the legislation and administrative practices related to judicial cooperation in civil matters;

• Harmonisation of the administrative practices in relation to the relevant legislation in different Member States;

• Improved cooperation of judicial authorities in civil and commercial matters;

• The legal framework and regulations linked to judicial cooperation in civil matters are in line with EU acquis and relevant case-law of the CJEU;

• National authorities responsible for judicial cooperation in civil matters operate in cooperation and coordination with other responsible agencies and institutions across the EU;

• Prosecutors and judges for the proceedings related to judicial cooperation in civil matters have further specialised knowledge and experience in respective fields;

• Acceleration of proceedings in relation to judicial cooperation in civil matters; less breaches of time-limits;

Increased awareness of policy makers related to judicial cooperation in civil matters.