About the network

National information about the contact points and functioning of the EJN (in civil and commercial matters)

What is the EJN (in civil and commercial matters)?

The European Union's wide variety of national legal systems and this diversity, together with new Union legislation, has led to a need to provide support and information through a specific network to authorities dealing with cross-border cases. These cases may cover business, consumer or employment disputes, divorce, child custody or succession issues. The Network brings together national authorities responsible for assisting local courts and was set up to facilitate judicial and legal cooperation between Member States. The EJN (in civil and commercial matters) was established by Council Decision 2001/470/EC of 28 May 2001 and started operating on 1 December 2002. This legal basis was modified once in 2009 (the consolidated version is available here). All Member States except Denmark participate in the EJN (in civil and commercial matters).

Have a look at the EJN's infographic!

The objectives of EJN (in civil and commercial matters)

Since its inception, the EJN (in civil and commercial matters) has been an important tool for providing support for the implementation of EU civil justice instruments in daily legal practice. The EJN (in civil and commercial matters) facilitates and supports relations between national judicial authorities through contact points in each Member State and thereby helps to facilitate cross-border cases. This cooperation between authorities aims to provide help for people involved in cross-border civil and commercial judicial cases.

Who are the EJN (in civil and commercial matters) members?

There are more than 500 members of the Network who fall under the five categories mentioned below. Each Member State has at least one contact point.

The Network is composed of

  • contact points designated by Member States;
  • bodies and central authorities specified in Union law or in international instruments whereby Member States are party, or in domestic law relating to judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters;
  • liaison magistrates with responsibilities for cooperation in civil and commercial matters;
  • other judicial or administrative authorities responsible for judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters whose membership is deemed to be useful by the Member State;
  • professional associations representing legal practitioners directly involved in the application of Union law and international instruments in civil and commercial matters at national level in the Member States

Please select the relevant country's flag to obtain detailed national information.

Last update: 30/05/2023

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About the network - Belgium

Points of contact and Belgian members of the network

Two points of contact have been designated by Belgium. One of these is a judge in the Court of Cassation (Cour de cassation), who coordinates the relationship of the network with members from the judiciary; the other is a civil servant in the Federal Public Service for Justice (Service public fédéral Justice), working in the department for international legal cooperation on civil matters.

In addition, the Belgian network currently comprises 15 judges, members under Article 2(1)(d) of Council Decision 2001/470/EC. Three or four judges are designated for each jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal (cour d’appel); each of them is specialised in family law, commercial law or procedural law. These judges are from courts of different levels (Court of Appeal, courts of first instance (tribunaux de première instance), commercial courts (tribunaux de commerce) and justices of the peace (justices de paix)).

A representative of the National Council of Chief Clerks (Conseil national des greffiers en chef) is also a member of the Belgian network under Article 2(1)(d) of the abovementioned Decision.

Four representatives of the legal professions have also been designated by Belgium as members of the network in accordance with Article 2(1)(e): a representative of notaries, a representative of court bailiffs, and two representatives of the bar associations (one representing the French-speaking and German-speaking associations and one representing the Flemish associations).

There is also coordination with the various central authorities designated under a number of different regulations (Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003, Regulation (EC) No 4/2009, Regulation (EC) No 1393/2001 etc.).

Contacts have been established with the Belgian section of the European Consumer Centre.

Method of operation of the network

Most communication takes place by e-mail. Information from the European Commission and more particularly from the Secretariat is distributed to members mainly by one of the points of contact. Members take part in network meetings depending on the subject matter. In addition, a meeting of Belgian judges who are members of the network is organised once a year.

The members are regularly invited to communicate information on new legislation as widely as possible or to distribute questionnaires to their colleagues. Generally, documentation published by the European Commission and useful Internet links are widely distributed to the courts. In addition, some network members are involved in the publication of the newsletter on European legislation (Eur-alert!).

A collaboration has also been established with the Judicial Training Institute enabling points of contact and members to speak at the training courses that it organises on recent European legislation and in particular on the arrangements for European and international legal cooperation on civil and commercial matters.

In respect of the treatment of specific questions such as those related to the content of foreign law or developments in proceedings with cross-border effects, the contacts are in principle established by e-mail on the one hand between the Belgian point of contact and the Belgian judge who investigated the matter as part of proceedings in progress, and on the other among the points of contact of the Member States involved.

Last update: 18/02/2021

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

About the network - Bulgaria

National Judicial Network in Civil and Commercial Matters

The legal framework of the National Judicial Network in Civil and Commercial Matters in the Republic of Bulgaria (the National Network) is set in its Operational Rules (Pravila za deynostta), adopted by the Supreme Judicial Council (Vissh sadeben savet, VSS) by a decision of 13 March 2018, which superseded the rules adopted by a decision of 11 December 2014 and amended by a decision of 19 March 2015.

The purpose of the National Network is to provide the necessary assistance to the judicial authorities in the effective drawing up, transmission and execution of requests for judicial assistance, the collection and storage of statistics about the international legal cooperation pursued by courts in Bulgaria, and to cooperate with the contact points of the European Judicial Network and other similar institutions.

The Judges Chamber (Sadiyska kolegiya) of the Supreme Judicial Council is responsible for the functioning of the National Network, for its participation in national and international projects, and for its cooperation with all institutions, organisations and entities, whether national or international, which perform functions in the area of international judicial assistance. The International Relations and Protocol Directorate (Direktsiya Mezhdunarodna deynost i protokol) of the Supreme Judicial Council assists and coordinates the exchange of information between the members of the Network, the national contact points and the Judges Chamber. Methodological guidance and coordination of the operation of the National Network is provided by the Judges Chamber through the Committee on Appraisals and Competitions (Komisiya po atestiraneto i konkursite).

Complement

Applicants for members of the National Network must be judges of a district and provincial court or a court of appeal meeting particular criteria in terms of professional standing and moral integrity, foreign language skills, etc. After a recruitment competition, the judges of the National Network are designated by a decision of the Judges Chamber of the Supreme Judicial Council for a period of five years. The National Network includes up to seven judges of each appellate district and up to 15 judges of the Sofia Appellate District. In cases expressly provided for, membership of the Network is terminated by a reasoned decision of the Judges Chamber of the Supreme Judicial Council, proposed by the Committee on Appraisal and Competitions.

Contact points

The Judges Chamber of the Supreme Judicial Council, acting on a proposal by the Committee on Appraisals and Competitions, designates contact points from among the members of the Network: one contact point in civil matters and one contact point in commercial matters, for a period of five years.

Functions

— The members of the National Network assist the national contact points that are part of the European Judicial Network in Civil and Commercial Matters or other international networks for legal cooperation and the national judges in the pursuit of international legal cooperation.

— As part of this assistance, the members of the National Network are bound to inform, advise, coordinate, where necessary, and carry out other activities to facilitate international legal cooperation in accordance with the jurisdiction of the respective judicial authorities in Bulgaria. The members of the National Network are bound to provide assistance when requested by each national judge, prosecutor, investigating magistrate or representative of a central national authority vested with powers, in line with international and European legislation.

— The members of the National Network facilitate the arrangement of training in the field of international legal cooperation which are delivered in the district in which they perform their duties.

— The members of the National Network facilitate judges in the pursuit of international legal cooperation in the relevant appellate district for which they are responsible.

— The members of the National Network conduct studies of European and national case-law and the intervening changes in cooperation in civil and commercial matters, and popularise and disseminate these studies.

— The members of the National Network draw up quarterly activity statements for the relevant appellate district in connection with the implementation of Community and international law and international legal cooperation and send these statements to an up-to-date and updating database with the VSS and provide the national contact points with an electronic version of the court instruments in civil and commercial matters rendered by the courts in the appellate district concerned applying EU law, so that the requisite database could be maintained.

— They also carry out additional assignments set by the VSS Judges Chamber, if it is necessary to provide information, conduct a study, deliver training or carry out another activity concerning international legal cooperation.

— The members of the National Network maintain an up-to-date database of contact details (email addresses, other addresses for correspondence, telephone numbers) and a database of the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights and the Court of Justice of the European Union, which is published on the VSS website, section Judicial Network in Civil and Commercial Matters.

— Each member of the National Network perform their functions within the relevant appellate district.

— The members of the National Network attend an annual meeting, which takes place in February and at which an activity report of the Network for the previous calendar year is adopted; the activity report is drawn up by the national contact point on the basis of annual activity reports submitted by the members by 15 January.

— After attending the periodic meetings of the contact points of the European Judicial Network in Civil and Commercial Matters, the participants submit a report to the Judges Chamber of the Supreme Judicial Council, which is published on the website of the Supreme Judicial Council, section International Cooperation, European Judicial Network in Civil and Commercial Matters, in order to ensure publicity of their activity.

Last update: 10/07/2021

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

About the network - Czechia

The Czech Republic currently has six European Judicial Network contact points: five within the Ministry of Justice in the Czech Republic and one in Brussels (the Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the EU).

The European Judicial Network contact points in the Czech Republic communicate with the contact points in other EU Member States, handling enquiries from courts and notaries seeking information regarding other countries' laws and reminders concerning the handling of requests, in particular pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1206/2001 on the taking of evidence and Regulation (EC) No 1393/2007 on the service of document and other matters.

Further to Council Decision 2001/470/EC of 28 May 2001 establishing a European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters, the Czech Republic established in 2004 the Internal Judicial Network ('the Network') for cooperation in civil and commercial matters, which is responsible for ensuring that the Czech Republic is effectively involved in the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters.

The Network's members include judges, representatives of the Czech Bar Association, representatives of the Czech Chamber of Notaries, representatives of the Czech Chamber of Executors, representatives of the Office for the International Legal Protection of Children, representatives of the European Consumer Centre, representatives of Charles University's Law Faculty and nominated Ministry of Justice staff.

Members of the Network participate in particular in the activities of the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters and in the performance of tasks stemming therefrom, and in the activities of EU Council and Commission working parties and committees on civil and commercial matters. Network members express their opinions on draft European Communities legislation and other proposals relating to judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters.

The Network has approximately 130 members at present. Meetings of all Network members are organised by the Ministry of Justice once a year. The meeting agenda includes current topics concerning in particular the European Judicial Network, the operation of the European e-Justice portal and EU Court of Justice case-law. At such meetings the Network members have a unique opportunity to meet in person and to share their practical experience of the application of EU instruments.

Compendia and other publications prepared within the European Judicial Network are distributed to the Network members.

Network members can communicate informally by e-mail. The Network has its own e-mail distribution list (e-mail address) to and through which Network members can send queries and share experience. Through this communication channel the Ministry of Justice can quickly inform Network members of news relating to judicial cooperation in the EU.

Last update: 25/02/2021

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

About the network - Germany

As a result of Germany’s federal structure, there are contact centres in each state in addition to the EJN (European Judicial Network) federal contact centre. The federal contact centre is located at the Federal Office of Justice (Bundesamt für Justiz). Depending on the organisation of each state, the state contact points are located either at a court (Bavaria [Munich Higher Regional Court], Bremen [Bremen Regional Court], Hamburg [Hamburg Local Court], Hessen [Frankfurt am Main Higher Regional Court], Lower Saxony [Celle Higher Regional Court], North Rhine-Westphalia [Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court] and Saxony [Dresden Higher Regional Court]) or the State Ministry of Justice. There are 17 EJN contact centres in Germany altogether. The federal contact centre is responsible for coordinating the national network and organising events, such as the European Day of Justice and meetings of German EJN members, in addition to responding to incoming and outgoing requests.

Tasks are distributed internally among the state contact centres and the federal contact centre. The federal contact centre answers queries relating to German civil or commercial law or the organisation of the courts in general. However, queries relating to a specific case are usually dealt with by the federal contact centre in the state in which the case is pending. Nevertheless, all German contact centres have equal status, which means that any of the 17 centres can be contacted for all types of queries and, if necessary, the federal contact centre can also provide assistance to specific cases. This internal distribution of tasks ensures that the most suitable contact centre deals with the enquiry.

In addition to the contact centres, four judges are available to provide assistance to German courts in the area covered by Regulation (EU) No 2019/1111 (Brussels IIb Regulation). Their duties are also distributed internally according to the state. External enquiries can be made to any of the four liaison magistrates. If necessary, the person making the enquiry will then immediately be directed to the person(s) responsible based on the internal distribution of tasks, as well as on language skills, specific competencies and expertise relating to the specific case.

In addition, a German liaison officer in the French Ministry of Justice is responsible for German/French mutual legal assistance. If, in individual cases, there are difficulties with French requests for mutual legal assistance or provisions of French law need to be determined, in addition to the channels through the contact points, the German liaison officer may be asked to assist.

Pursuant to Article 2(1)(e) of Council Decision No 2001/470/EC of 28 May 2001 establishing a European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters, as last amended by Decision No 568/2009/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2009 amending Council Decision No 2001/470/EC of 28 May 2001 establishing a European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters, Germany appointed the Federal Bar Association (Bundesrechtsanwaltskammer), the Federal Association of Notaries (Bundesnotarkammer), the Association of Patent Lawyers (Patentanwaltskammer), the German Lawyers' Association (Deutscher Anwaltverein), the Federation of German Bailiffs (Deutscher Gerichtsvollzieher Bund e.V.) and the Federation of German Judicial Officers (Bund Deutscher Rechtspfleger), as members of the EJN.

Other members of the EJN in Germany include the central bodies stipulated in Regulation (EU) No 2020/1784 on the service in the Member States of judicial and extrajudicial documents in civil or commercial matters (Regulation on the service of documents), and Regulation (EU) No 2020/1783 on cooperation between the courts of the Member States in the taking of evidence in civil or commercial matters (Regulation on the taking of evidence). These central bodies and the state judicial administrations provide the courts with up-to-date information regarding civil legal aid. They also introduce additional measures and support the courts with the service of documents and the taking of evidence in cases with a foreign component. In addition, the Central Authority pursuant to Council Regulation (EU) No 2019/1111 (Brussels IIb Regulation) and the Central Authority pursuant to Council Regulation (EC) No 4/2009 of 18 December 2008 on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of decisions and cooperation in matters relating to maintenance obligations (Maintenance Regulation) are members of the EJN.

Further information on the EJN in Germany and a list of contacts can be found on the website of the Federal Office of Justice (Link opens in new windowhttp://www.bundesjustizamt.de/ejnzh).

Last update: 20/09/2023

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

About the network - Estonia

The national network contact points are the two advisors in the International Judicial Co‑operation Division at the Ministry of Justice, both of whom also perform the functions of representative of the central authority. The main functions of the contact points are the following:

  • ensuring that the local judicial authorities receive general information concerning the EU and international instruments relating to judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters;
  • supplying the other contact points and authorities as well as the local judicial authorities in their own Member State with all the information required for sound judicial cooperation between the Member States, in order to assist them in preparing operable requests for judicial cooperation and in establishing the most appropriate direct contacts;
  • supplying any information to facilitate the application of the law of another Member State that is applicable under an EU or international instrument;
  • seeking solutions to difficulties that may arise in connection with a request for judicial cooperation;
  • facilitating coordination of the processing of requests for judicial cooperation in the relevant Member State, in particular where several requests from the judicial authorities in that Member State are due to be executed in another Member State;
  • contributing to generally informing the public, through the network’s website, on judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters in the European Union, on relevant EU and international instruments and on the domestic law of the Member States, with particular reference to access to justice;
  • collaborating in the organisation of, and participating in, the network’s meetings;
  • assisting with the preparation and updating of information for the public;
  • ensuring coordination between members of the network at national level;
  • drawing up a biannual report on their activities, including, where appropriate, best practice in the network, submitting it at a meeting of the members of the network, and drawing specific attention to possible improvements in the network.

The network liaison magistrate is a justice of Viru County Court who also represents Estonia in the network of courts established by the Hague Conference on Private International Law. The liaison magistrate’s task is to advise court officials on European Union civil and commercial law and share with the network his/her experience concerning the application of diverse legislation.

After 2011, when the second Decision on the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters (EJN-civil), which expanded the network’s activities to professional associations, entered into force, the following bodies became members of EJN-civil in Estonia:

  • the Estonian Chamber of Bailiffs and Trustees in Bankruptcy, which represents bailiffs and trustees in bankruptcy and has participated previously in meetings, depending on the subject; a specific contact point was also designated in 2022.

The representatives of professional associations are responsible for the following:

  • exchange of experience and information as regards the effective and practical application of EU and international instruments;
  • collaboration in the preparation and updating of information sheets;
  • participation of the professional associations in relevant meetings.

Depending on the topic discussed, the contact point also invites other national experts to share their experiences at network meetings. For example, the meetings have been attended by several other judges alongside the liaison magistrate, the representatives of other ministries and the Chamber of Notaries, Supreme Court advisers, representatives of the Consumer Protection Board, faculty members of the University of Tartu, the Social Insurance Board, etc.

Last update: 26/03/2024

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

About the network - Ireland

Contact Points

There are two contact points for Ireland. There is one contact point for the District and Circuit Courts and one contact point for the Superior Courts i.e. High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. The contact points co-operate closely and work together on matters relating to the Network. The contact points for Ireland are based in The Courts Service in Dublin. Even though each jurisdiction is separate there is an overlap in the work of these contact points who each have sole responsibility for the Network in their Directorates. Queries through the EJN should be directed to the relevant contact point for the jurisdiction concerned. The contact points work in separate offices but within the Directorates of the Courts Service of Ireland in Dublin. The work of the Network is combined with other tasks. However, the contact point can call on the help and assistance of other colleagues when dealing with Network business. The contact points maintain regular contact by e-mail, telephone and ‘face to face’ meetings with members of the EJN network in Ireland including the Central Authorities; the Director of Operations Supreme and High Court and the Director of Reform and Development in the Courts Service [Article 2(1)(d) members]; and officials in the Department of Justice and Law Reform [Article 2(1)(d) members]. The contact points are also in regular communication with a nominated member of the judiciary in relation to developments in the EJN.

The functioning of the EJN in Ireland

There is no formal national network within Ireland.  There is a network of people who are experts in particular policy areas to whom the contact point can turn for answers to queries that are raised.

The contact point would liase closely with others who are the extended members of the Network for Ireland,  including a number of judges with specialist skills in specific areas of law or with responsibility for international liaison work. The Contact Points can be contacted by e-mail. The contact point ensures that relevant policy, administrative or judicial experts are consulted before relevant meetings of the Network and the notes of meetings and relevant action points are disseminated as appropriate.

The contact point also has regular contact with the Department of Justice on policy issues and the Central Authority on Family Maintenance and Cross Border issues

Providing information

There is no national website for the EJN in Ireland. Information is provided through the Courts Service website and other existing sites for different Departments within Ireland. The contact point works with others, and other Departments when providing different sources of information for EJN Member States and  the EJN network.

Last update: 12/04/2023

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

About the network - Greece

Network structure

Number of contact points: Twenty-two contact points have been designated. Nineteen of these are judges who are part of the national network while exercising their judicial duties in parallel. Three are officials in the Ministry of Justice, Transparency and Human Rights, and more specifically the Department of International Judicial Cooperation in Civil and Criminal Matters, which operates as the central authority for purposes of Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003 concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgements in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility (Brussels IIa) (complementing the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction), Council Regulation (EC) No 4/2009 (maintenance obligations) and Directive 2002/8/EC (legal aid), and also as the central body for purposes of Council Regulations (EC) No 1206/2001 (taking of evidence) and (EC) No 1393/2007 (service of judicial and extrajudicial documents).

National network: An informal national network with a centralised structure has been established, the main components in which are the central authority, judges from Athens, and three representatives of the legal professions (associations of lawyers, bailiffs and notaries). The Department of International Judicial Cooperation in Civil and Criminal Matters is responsible for monitoring the work of the European Judicial Network and coordinating the work of the contact points at a national level with regard to Greece’s obligations within the scope of the EJN and the content posted on the EU e-Justice Portal. The network’s national contact points contribute to the completion of factsheets, the updating of Greece’s formal notifications on EU legislation regarding judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters, the completion of questionnaires originating from the EJN or other EU bodies, and the process of answering questions from other contact points or EU authorities relating mainly to the implementation of the EU legislation in Greece.

Regular meetings are held which are coordinated by the Department of International Judicial Cooperation in Civil and Criminal Matters, usually two to four times annually. The purpose of the meetings is the exchange of views, experience and information. The agenda focuses mostly on subjects discussed at EJN meetings at European level, issues that may arise from the implementation of EU legislation (regulations and directives) at a national level, and Greece’s obligations within the scope of the EJN and the e-Justice Portal, as mentioned above.

Dissemination of information to the public

The website of the Ministry of Justice, Transparency and Human Rights makes special reference to the EJN. Work is under way with a view to updating the website in order to provide a full and clear description of the EJN’s role and utility in connection with EU legislation on judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters.

At a national level, information regarding EU legislation on civil and commercial matters is disseminated by distributing EJN printed material and by organising seminars and one-day events, in Athens and other cities in Greece, concerning European legislative developments in the field of judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters and the impact thereof at domestic level (members of the national network sometimes take part as keynote speakers). These events take place under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice and also of bar associations throughout the country, the National School of Judges, the State Legal Council, civil law and commercial law associations, etc.

In addition, the European Justice Day one-day event aims to serve as a ‘wake-up’ call for European legal professionals and launch a dialogue on the progress of EU legislative initiatives; it has been held almost annually in recent years, under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice, Transparency and Human Rights.

Last update: 24/04/2017

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

About the network - Spain

The functioning of the EJN in Spain

In Spain, under Article 33 of Law 16/2015 of 7 July 2015 regulating the status of Spain’s national member in Eurojust, conflicts of jurisdiction, international judicial cooperation networks and staff of the Ministry of Justice posted abroad, the appointment and removal of the Spanish contact points for the international judicial cooperation networks, under the terms of the rules setting them up, falls within the competence of the Ministry of Justice.

The appointment must be made from among persons with proven experience in international legal cooperation and good command of English or French, as applicable, and must ensure, at least, representation of the judiciary, the Public Prosecutor’s Office (Ministerio Fiscal) and the Ministry of Justice. To that end, it is the responsibility of the General Council of the Judiciary (Consejo General del Poder Judicial) and the Prosecutor General (Fiscal General del Estado) to propose to the Minister of Justice the appointment and removal of the contact points for the relevant professions. The status of contact point ends as soon as the person concerned stops working for the institution that proposed their appointment. This must be notified to the Ministry of Justice, which must inform the Network’s Secretariat.

The Spanish contact points for the international judicial cooperation networks are active intermediaries with the task of facilitating cooperation between the judicial authorities of the different States. They are available to the relevant Spanish authorities, as well as all the other contact points, providing them with the legal and practical information necessary to improve judicial cooperation. The Spanish contact points must forward annually the statistical data regarding their activity to the institution to which they belong.

Contact points

In Spain, the Network contact points are located in the Ministry of Justice, the General Council of the Judiciary and the Prosecutor General’s Office (Fiscalía General del Estado). There are currently 8 contact points, distributed as follows:

  • 6 contact points appointed by the Ministry of Justice – 2 in the Subdirectorate-General for International Legal Cooperation (Subdirección General de Cooperación Jurídica Internacional) and 4 court registrars (Letrados de la Administración de la Justicia);
  • 1 contact point appointed by the General Council of the Judiciary;
  • 1 contact point appointed by the Prosecutor General’s Office.

Central authority

In Spain, the Directorate-General for International Legal Cooperation and Human Rights (Dirección General de Cooperación Jurídica Internacional y Derechos Humanos) of the Ministry of Justice is the central authority in the field of international judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters.

Liaison magistrates

Spain already has a legal provision requiring that prominent liaison magistrates of a Member State of the European Union become contact points of the European Judicial Network and act as contact points under Article 34 of Law 16/2015 of 7 July 2015. This status ends when their status as liaison magistrates ends. Spain has appointed a Liaison Magistrate in the following countries: the United Kingdom and Ireland, the United States of America and Canada, Morocco, and Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

Other judicial or administrative authorities with responsibility for judicial cooperation

In Spain the following internal mechanisms with responsibility for international legal cooperation are in force:

  • The Spanish Judicial Network for International Judicial Cooperation (Red Española de Cooperación Judicial Internacional, REJUE), coming under the General Council of the Judiciary, whose aim is to assist Spanish judicial bodies who so request as regards judicial cooperation requests issued or received by them in the performance of their judicial activities, and to assist other members of judicial cooperation networks. The members of the Spanish Judicial Network for International Judicial Cooperation may make their membership of this network compatible with their membership of the European Judicial Cooperation Networks. Accordingly, the Spanish Magistrates of the Spanish Judicial Network for International Judicial Cooperation (Civil Division) are members of the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters, facilitating contacts with their counterparts in other countries of the network in the performance of their duties.
  • The Network of International Legal Cooperation Prosecutors (Red de Fiscales de Cooperación Jurídica Internacional), created in 2002 in order to provide a service specialising in international legal cooperation matters in each Prosecutor General’s office.
  • The prosecutors in this Network who are experts in international cooperation help to channel, guide and provide international judicial assistance swiftly and effectively.
  • The Network of Court Registrars (Red de Letrados de la Administración de Justicia, RECILAJ) is a coordinating structure at national level established by the Ministry of Justice in 2010. It is formed of court registrars who specialise in international legal cooperation and help the various Judicial Offices (Oficinas Judiciales) to solve queries and questions regarding international legal cooperation.

Professional associations

In Spain there are the following professional associations representing legal professionals which directly contribute to the application of Union acts and international legal instruments regarding judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters:

  • the General Council of Notaries (Consejo General del Notariado);
  • the General Council of Spanish Lawyers (Consejo General de la Abogacía Española);
  • the Association of Property and Commercial Registrars in Spain (Colegio de Registradores de la Propiedad y Mercantiles de España);
  • the General Council of Legal Representatives in Spain (Consejo General de Procuradores de España).

Information about the Network

The Spanish Ministry of Justice – providing information on International Legal Cooperation and International Judicial Assistance – gives a link on its website to that of the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters, available at: Link opens in new windowCooperación Jurídica Internacional (mjusticia.gob.es)

The General Council of the Judiciary in Spain provides information on the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters on its website Link opens in new windowhttps://www.poderjudicial.es/cgpj/es/Temas/Redes-Judiciales/Otras-redes-judiciales/Red-Judicial-Europea-Civil-y-Mercantil/ , where there are also links to the European Judicial Atlas in civil and commercial matters, as well as to the European e-Justice Portal.

The Prosecutor General’s Office provides information on the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters on its Link opens in new windowwebsite.

Last update: 27/11/2023

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Моля, имайте предвид, че оригиналната езикова версия на тази страница френски е била наскоро променена. Езиковата версия, която търсите, в момента се подготвя от нашите преводачи.

About the network - France

In France, the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters is made up of judges, lawyers (avocats), notaries and judicial officers (commissaires de justice). However, the network is open to all the legal professions which have an interest in it, in particular when they participate in the implementation of EU law as regards civil and commercial matters (clerks of court (greffiers), chief registrars (directeurs des services des greffes), judges and clerks of commercial courts).

Since the network was created, the French point of contact has always been a judge working in the Ministry of Justice’s Civil Affairs Directorate (Direction des affaires civiles et du Sceau du Ministère de la justice). Specifically, this judge works in the Department for mutual assistance, private international law and EU law (Département de l’entraide, du droit international privé et européen – DEDIPE), which has been designated as the central authority for the application of numerous international cooperation instruments for civil and commercial matters. The point of contact can provide French practitioners and members of the network from other EU countries with practical expertise in judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters and assistance in resolving obstacles in cross-border cases.

The French network is organised at national and local level. Thus, a ‘reporting judge’ is designated in each French court of appeal and in the Court of Cassation (Cour de cassation). Their role is to facilitate cooperation locally and inform the judiciary about the implementation of civil judicial cooperation tools and, in particular, about EU law. The reporting judges in the Courts of Appeal and the Court of Cassation can also inform the national point of contact about difficulties in the application of European legislation. The national point of contact passes the information on these difficulties to the network’s secretariat at the European Commission.

The other professions are members and participate in the network’s activities through their national representative body:

-  Judicial officers (commissaires de justice, previously called huissiers de justice) are represented by the Link opens in new windowNational Chamber of Judicial Officers (Chambre nationale des commissaires de justice – CNCJ).

-  Lawyers are represented by the Link opens in new windowNational Council of Bar Associations (Conseil national des barreaux – CNB) and by the Link opens in new windowDélégation des barreaux de France (DBF), the CNB’s delegation in Brussels. The EJN-Civil tab on the DBF website provides full information on the involvement of the lawyers’ network in France.

-  Notaries are represented by the Link opens in new windowHigh Council of Notaries (Conseil supérieur du notariat – CSN).

French liaison judges working in EU countries are also part of the network, as are the central authorities designated for the application of civil and commercial cooperation agreements (for example, the Office for the recovery of maintenance of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs).

Under the CLUE project ‘Connaître la législation de l’Union européenne’ (Getting to know EU legislation), subsidised by the European Commission’s Justice programme, numerous actions have been carried out to raise awareness of the EJN-Civil in France.

In recent years, the CLUE I project has made it possible: to enhance the visibility of the judicial cooperation and EU law tools (through the dissemination of a monthly newsletter, a Link opens in new windowvideo about the network, and a dedicated webpage on the Ministry’s intranet); and, in addition, to promote the exchange of good practices between practitioners (through training seminars on private international family law and a practical guide for reporting judges at the Court of Appeal). The new CLUE II project, which was launched in February 2021, continues along the same lines, with additional ambitions (more seminars, more subjects, more tools for disseminating EU law) and the desire to share best practices with other national networks.

Once a year, all the members of the French network meet in Paris to review the activities of the network and to discuss developments in EU law in civil and commercial matters.

Further information about the French network can be found on the website Link opens in new windowjustice.gouv.fr.

Last update: 11/11/2022

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

About the network - Croatia

In the Republic of Croatia, 2 contact points operate under the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters.

The contact points are employees in the Directorate for European Affairs, International and Judicial Cooperation and Anti-Corruption, and the Department for International Legal Assistance and Judicial Cooperation in Civil Matters of the Ministry of Justice and Administration of the Republic of Croatia.

The contact points in the above Department have several officers who help them so that the work under the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters (EJN) is actually carried out through team work within the Department for International Legal Assistance and Judicial Cooperation in Civil Matters, which they carry out alongside other work within the Department.

Although Croatia does not have a formal national network, the contact points cooperate with judges and other experts under the Ministry of Justice and other competent authorities, professors of law, notaries and other experts and practitioners in different legal areas. The Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy is also involved in the operation of the network and as a central authority for some regulations it actively participates in the meetings of the network organised by the European Commission. The network is open to all legal professionals who wish to and are interested in participating in the application of European legal instruments in Croatia.

Communication within Croatia is conducted by email and telephone, and meetings are held as appropriate.

Communication with contact points in other Member States is carried out by email, and the contact points and other members of the network regularly participate in the meetings of EJN which are organised by the European Commission.

Since the Ministry of Justice and Administration is the central authority for individual regulations, the contact points carry out operations of the central authority, make enquiries and answer the enquiries of contact points from other Member States (in cooperation with judges and other practitioners and experts as appropriate), deliver the requested data to the Commission and undertake operations necessary to publish information on relevant portals of the European Commission. The contact points distribute the publications of the European Commission to courts, members of the public and other target groups, and work to increase the visibility of the network.

Contact: Link opens in new windowEJNcontact@mpu.hr

Last update: 11/10/2023

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Моля, имайте предвид, че оригиналната езикова версия на тази страница италиански е била наскоро променена. Езиковата версия, която търсите, в момента се подготвя от нашите преводачи.

About the network - Italy

The Italian judicial network is based at the Italian Ministry of Justice, in the Office for International Judicial Cooperation in the Department of Judicial Affairs of the Directorate-General for International Affairs and Judicial Cooperation.

At the moment, there are five contact points.

The contact points are in constant contact with other members of the Network, with whom they collaborate in processing requests for cooperation or in preparing practical information sheets to publish on the e-Justice Portal.

The other members of the Italian network are:

- the Department of Juvenile and Community Justice (Dipartimento per la giustizia minorile e di comunità),

- the Directorate-General for Automated Information Systems (Direzione generale per i sistemi informativi automatizzati, contact point for the e-Justice Portal),

- the central authority for the service of judicial documents,

- the National Bar Council (Consiglio Nationale Forense) and

- the Italian Council of Notaries (Consiglio Italiano del Notariato).

The contact points for the EJN also have links with

- the Judicial College (Scuola Superiore della Magistratura),

- the Italian branch of the European Consumer Centres Network (ECC Net),

- the Internal Market Information System structure in Italy and

- Pietro Franzina, professor of private international law at Sacro Cuore Catholic University, expert advising the contact points.

As a rule, the Italian members of the Network meet once a year.

The contact points provide assistance to courts and law officers dealing with cross-border issues.

All publications sent by the Commission (brochures, information summaries, etc.) are distributed to the courts, law officers and parties concerned.

On occasion, the contact points receive delegations from other Member States visiting Italy as part of their judicial training.

Reference is made to the Network on the Ministry of Justice’s website: Link opens in new windowhttps://www.giustizia.it/giustizia/it/mg_2_1_2_1.wp?previsiousPage=mg_14_7

List of authorities dealing with the regulations most relevant to judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters:

- Council Regulation (EC) No 1206/2001 of 28 May 2001;

Directive 8/2003 on legal aid.

In both cases, the central authority in Italy is:

Ministry of Justice

Department of Judicial Affairs (Dipartimento Affari di Giustizia)

Directorate-General for International Affairs and Judicial Cooperation - Office I International Judicial Cooperation (Direzione Generale degli Affari internazionali e della Cooperazione Giudiziaria).

Via Arenula 70,

00186 ROME

Telephone: +39 06 68852633, +39 06 68852180

Email: Link opens in new windowcooperation.dginternazionale@giustizia.it

Regulation (EC) No 1393/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 November 2007 on the service of documents

The central authority in Italy is:

Office of Bailiffs at the Court of Appeal of Rome (Ufficio Unico degli Ufficiali Giudiziari presso la Corte d’Appello di Roma)

Viale Giulio Cesare, 52

00192 ROME

Telephone: +39 06 328361

Fax: +39 06 328367933

- Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003 of 27 November 2003 (Brussels IIa)

- Council Regulation (EC) No 4/2009 of 18 December 2008 (maintenance obligations)

The central authority in Italy is:

Ministry of Justice

the Department of Juvenile and Community Justice (Dipartimento per la giustizia minorile e di comunità),

Via Damiano Chiesa, 24

00136 ROME

Telephone: +39 06 68188 535/331/326

Fax: +39 06 68808085

Email: Link opens in new windowautoritacentrali.dgmc@giustizia.it

Last update: 21/07/2022

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

About the network - Cyprus

In Cyprus, the network is organised by designating national contact points (NCPs). There are currently six (6) NCPs: one judge, two lawyers at the Law Office of the Republic of Cyprus, two officials at the Ministry of Justice and Public Order (one legal and one administrative official) and one member of the Cyprus Bar Association.

The NCPs of the Ministry of Justice and Public Order are responsible for coordinating the six NCPs. When a question or request for information from the network or a request from the national contact points of another Member State is received, the NCPs of the Ministry of Justice and Public Order will ensure the request is forwarded and discussed with the other NCPs, to decide which Cypriot Authority or Agency should be designated to handle the request or provide the information requested.

Last update: 07/12/2023

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

About the network - Latvia

The functions of the National Network Contact Point and the representative of the Central Authority are performed by the Link opens in new windowDepartment for International Cooperation of the Ministry of Justice (Tieslietu ministrijas Starptautiskās sadarbības departments).

Main functions of the contact points:

- to ensure that local judicial authorities receive general information on Community and international instruments relating to judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters, as well as to provide the information necessary for successful judicial cooperation between Member States in order to assist them in preparing enforceable judicial requests for judicial assistance;

- to seek solutions to problems that may arise in connection with a request for judicial cooperation;

- to help inform the public about judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters in the European Union and about the relevant Community and international instruments through the website of the network;

- to cooperate and participate in the organisation of network meetings;

- to contribute to the preparation and updating of information intended for the public;

- to ensure cooperation between network members at national level.

Depending on the topic discussed, the contact point also invites experts from other institutions to the meetings of the Network to share their experience. For example, several judges, representatives of the Ministry of Justice from various sectors, notaries, certified mediators, representatives of the administration of the Maintenance Guarantee Fund (Uzturlīdzekļu garantijas fonds), representatives of the Council of Bailiffs (Tiesu izpildītāju padome), and academics have attended meetings alongside the contact point.

On 11 January 2023, the Ministry of Justice and the European Commission concluded a contract for the implementation of the project ‘Strengthening the capacity of the Latvian national judicial cooperation network within the EJN’ (Stiprināt Latvijas Nacionālā tiesiskās sadarbības tīkla kapacitātes Eiropas Tiesiskās sadarbības tīkla ietvaros) (the Link opens in new windowLVJUCO project). The project will promote judicial cooperation between competent authorities and raise public awareness of the national judicial network.

Last update: 01/09/2023

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

About the network - Lithuania

The contact person for the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters is the lawyer in the International Law Group of the Ministry of Justice, who also performs the functions of the central or competent authority provided for in EU instruments in the area of judicial cooperation in civil matters. Apart from these functions, the contact person also performs functions relating to judicial cooperation in criminal matters, as set out in both EU instruments and international multilateral and bilateral treaties, and also takes part in the activities of the Council of the European Union and European Commission working groups dealing with civil matters.

No formal national judicial structure bringing together the national Network members has been established in Lithuania. Cooperation and communication on Network-related matters is usually conducted on an ad hoc basis by e-mail.

Information provided by the European Commission about Network meetings and other matters relating to the Network’s activities is received by the Network contact person appointed within the Ministry of Justice, who then forwards this information to the competent national authorities or courts (via the National Courts Administration) depending on the issue or subject matter of the meeting. This ensures that information and questions concerning the Network reach the appropriate body.

Where necessary, the contact person and representatives of the national competent authorities and courts remain in contact with each other and deal with problems not only by e-mail but also by telephone. The contact person will either personally reply to enquiries submitted by contact persons in other countries or will immediately forward them to the competent authority so that it can send a reply; the contact person also coordinates the sending of a reply to the colleague who submitted the enquiry. The contact person also assists the courts in answering practical questions relating to cooperation with other Member States which arise in the course of their activities and directs court representatives or applicants to the relevant section of the e‑Justice portal to search for relevant information.

In Lithuania, the Network members and/or central authorities responsible for performing the functions set out in the Regulation are the Ministry of Justice (and its respective internal departments), the liaison magistrates, the National Courts Administration, the State-guaranteed Legal Aid Service, the State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service, the Lithuanian Chamber of Bailiffs, the Lithuanian Chamber of Notaries, and the Mažeikiai branch of the State Social Insurance Fund Board.

Last update: 17/12/2019

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

About the network - Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, the contact points and members of the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters (the Network) are as follows:

Contact Points

- A contact point designated at the Public Prosecutor’s Office (Parquet Général) pursuant to Article 2(1)(a) carries out the ‘judicial cooperation’ tasks provided for under Article 3(1)(a), Article 5(2)(a) to (c) and Article 5(3) and (4) of Decision No 568/2009/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2009 amending Council Decision 2001/470/EC establishing a European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters.

The judge serving at the Public Prosecutor’s Office handles requests for information and judicial cooperation made within the Network.

The contact point at the Public Prosecutor’s Office also acts as a central authority, particularly in the context of Regulation (EC) No 4/2009 and the 2007 Hague Convention on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance.

- A contact point designated at the Ministry of Justice carries out the administrative tasks provided for under Article 3(1)(b), Article 5(2)(d) to (e), Article 5(3) and (4) and Articles 14, 15 and 18 of Decision No 568/2009/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2009 amending Council Decision 2001/470/EC establishing a European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters.

The contact point at the Ministry of Justice is responsible for administrative follow-up, coordination and communication with the European Commission, and more specifically with the Network’s Secretariat, and with members of the Network at national level.

Members of the Network:

- The experts appointed pursuant to Article 2(1)(d) of Council Decision 2001/470/EC establishing a European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters.

- The professional associations appointed pursuant to Articles 2 and 5a of Decision No 568/2009/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2009 amending Council Decision 2001/470/EC establishing a European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters.

  • Bailiffs (huissiers de justice), who are represented by the Chamber of Bailiffs (Chambre des huissiers de justice) of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
  • Lawyers (avocats), who are represented by the Luxembourg Bar Association (Barreau de Luxembourg) and the Diekirch Bar Association (Barreau de Diekirch).
  • Notaries (notaires), who are represented by the Chamber of Notaries (Chambre des notaires) of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

Interaction between contact points and members of the Network:

Luxembourg does not have a formalised network at national level.

Members of the Network are invited to meetings of the Network on the basis of the items to be discussed.

Information exchange and coordination between members of the Network and contact points takes place through electronic means of communication or by telephone.

Last update: 31/03/2023

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

About the network - Hungary

The Department of Private International Law (Nemzetközi Magánjogi Főosztály) at the Ministry of Justice (Igazságügyi Minisztérium) acts as the national contact point in Hungary. The related tasks are distributed among several staff members within the Department, in addition to their other activities.

The Ministry of Justice (Department of Private International Law) and the Ministry of the Interior as central authorities are members of the Network. The National Office for the Judiciary (Országos Bírósági Hivatal), as a further other judicial authority, the Hungarian Chamber of Civil Law Notaries (Magyar Országos Közjegyzői Kamara), the Hungarian Bar Association (Magyar Ügyvédi Kamara) and the Hungarian Association of Court Bailiffs (Magyar Bírósági Végrehajtói Kar) as professional organisations are also part of the Network. The representatives of the members regularly attend the meetings of the Network, depending of course on the agenda of the meetings.

Hungarian members of the Network do not have an official internal network in Hungary. Cooperation between the members takes place on a case-by-case basis as required.

Link opens in new windowClick here to access the documents prepared by the Department of Private International Law at the Ministry of Justice, presenting practical information on judicial cooperation in civil matters within the EU and with third countries.

Last update: 15/01/2024

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

About the network - Malta

There are three (3) EJN contact points in Malta at present. Coordination amongst these contact points is ensured by the fact that the said contact points work in the same office and liaise constantly with each other regarding all matters arising from the operation of the network in Malta. These contact points have set up systems of cooperation between them, which in turn bring about more efficiency in the operation of the network, especially when it comes to providing information to private practitioners who require information.

About the national network

  • Legal Aid

The Transmitting and Receiving Authority in the area of Legal Aid is the Advocate for Legal Aid, who operates from the registry of the Civil Courts, the Law Courts, Republic Street, Valletta, Malta.

  • Serving Documents

The Office of the Attorney General, situated at The Palace, St. George's Square, Valletta acts as the Central Authority both as a Transmitting Agency as well as the Receiving Agency in the area of serving documents. It takes care of sending request forms and of receiving documents for service from foreign transmitting agencies, which documents are then passed on to an appointee at the Law Courts for service according to the procedural laws of Malta applicable to service of documents.

As part of its activities in serving documents, the Office of the Attorney General in its capacity as Transmitting and/or Receiving Agency, also liaises with applicants and/or their legal representative pending service.

  • Small Claims

The competent forum in this section is the Small Claims Tribunal, which operates from the Law Courts in Valletta. Appeals from decisions of this Tribunal are then heard by the Court of Appeal in its Inferior Jurisdiction, also operating from the Law Courts in Valletta.

The competent authority in each case depends on the residence of the person against whom enforcement is sought. The Court of Magistrates (Malta) and the Court of Magistrates (Gozo) have competence in respect of enforcement issues and also for the purposes of Article 23, pursuant to Article 10 (4) of the Link opens in new windowSmall Claims Tribunal Act (Chapter 380 of the Laws of Malta).

  • Taking of Evidence

The Central Body is the Office of the Attorney General in Valletta.

The Requested Courts are:

  1. The Civil Courts, First Hall
  2. The Civil Court (Family Section)
  3. The Court of Magistrates (Malta)
  4. The Court of Magistrates (Gozo) (Superior Jurisdiction ) or (Inferior Jurisdiction)

The Courts have the jurisdiction to execute letters of request made in terms of Council Regulation (EC) No 1206/2001 on cooperation between the courts of the Member States in the taking of evidence in civil or commercial matters.

Last update: 22/05/2017

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

About the network - Netherlands

Contact points and Network members in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, a central contact point has been designated at the Ministry of Security and Justice. A contact point has also been appointed for matters of jurisdiction.

Alongside the contact points, the professional associations for the liberal legal professions (lawyers, notary services and bailiffs) are also members of the Network.

On the basis of various regulations (including Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003, Regulation (EC) No 4/2009 and Regulation (EC) No 1393/2001), central authorities are also members of the Network.

Communication with the European Commission (in this case, the secretariat of the EJN-civil) usually takes place via the central contact point. This ensures that, where relevant, information and questions reach the right authority.

Contact points and members, particularly the central authorities, often communicate directly with each other and with the contact points and members in other Member States.

Depending on what is on the agenda, members are invited to take part in Network meetings.

The Dutch contact points and members also hold an annual meeting. This meeting is an opportunity to discuss the activities of the Network and to examine areas in which mutual communication can be improved.

Last update: 16/11/2022

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

About the network - Austria

Austria has set up in the Federal Ministry of Justice (Department I 9) a central contact point which deals with legal queries from foreign contact points made via the network, performs various coordination- and organisation-related tasks and organises and edits the Austrian entries for the network factsheets that are published on the European Justice Portal.

In addition, two judges have been nominated as contact points for each of the four higher regional court (Oberlandesgericht) jurisdictions (three each for the Vienna and Linz jurisdictions). They provide assistance and support to foreign contact points and Austrian courts in individual cases involving cross-border judicial cooperation (for example in the case of difficulties in the cross-border taking of evidence or service of documents). In such instances, foreign contact points should therefore contact the relevant local judicial contact point and not the central contact point at the Federal Ministry of Justice. The jurisdiction of the Vienna Higher Regional Court includes the provinces of Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland, the jurisdiction of the Linz Higher Regional Court includes the provinces of Upper Austria and Salzburg, the jurisdiction of the Innsbruck Higher Regional Court includes the provinces of Tyrol and Vorarlberg, and the Graz Higher Regional Court has jurisdiction over the provinces of Styria and Carinthia.

The names and contact details of the Austrian (and foreign) EJN-civil contact points can be accessed via the following link: Link opens in new windowhttps://e-justice.europa.eu/contactPoint.do.

Private individuals/parties to proceedings or their legal representatives cannot contact the network contact points directly. However, they can ask the judge leading the proceedings to refer them to a contact point.

The Austrian Bar Association (Österreichischer Rechtsanwaltskammertag) and the Austrian Chamber of Notaries (Österreichische Notariatskammer) have been part of the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters since 1 January 2011; however, under the EJN-civil Decision of 28 May 2001 (2001/470/EC), as amended by Decision 568/2009/EC of 18 June 2009, they do not have the competence to deal with individual cases.

Austrian Bar Association
1010 Vienna, Wollzeile 1-3
Tel.: +43/1/535-1275, Fax: +43/1/535-1275-13
Email: Link opens in new windowrechtsanwaelte@oerak.at
Languages: German and English

Austrian Chamber of Notaries
1010 Vienna, Landesgerichtsstraße 20
Tel.: +43/1/402 45 09 0, Fax: +43/1/406 34 75
Email: Link opens in new windowkammer@notar.or.at
Languages: German, French and English

Last update: 23/08/2023

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

About the network - Poland

In Poland, there are 12 contact points of the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters. One contact point is located at the Ministry of Justice and the other contact points are located in eleven regional courts and include the jurisdiction of the superior courts of appeal (hereinafter: ‘judicial contact points’).

The contact point at the Ministry of Justice responds to queries concerning Polish civil and commercial law and forwards to the competent judicial contact point questions concerning the execution of a request for mutual legal assistance, unless the question has been forwarded directly to the judicial contact point.

The contact point at the Ministry of Justice receives information from the European Commission on network meetings and other issues and then forwards it to the competent national authorities or courts, depending on the issue or subject of the meeting.

Coordination of the activities of the contact points in Poland is ensured by the Ministry of Justice.

The European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters also includes the judge coordinators for international cooperation and human rights in civil matters who assist the persons acting as judicial contact points. The judge coordinators perform their tasks in all courts within the jurisdiction of the regional court concerned, i.e. the regional court and district courts located within that regional court’s jurisdiction. If the court of appeal is located in that regional court’s jurisdiction, the coordinators carry out their activities also at that court.

The European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters also includes the central bodies indicated in Regulation (EU) 2020/1784 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2020 on the service in the Member States of judicial and extrajudicial documents in civil or commercial matters (service of documents) (recast); Regulation (EU) 2020/1783 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2020 on cooperation between the courts of the Member States in the taking of evidence in civil or commercial matters (taking of evidence) (recast); the central authority within the meaning of Council Regulation (EU) 2019/1111 of 25 June 2019 on jurisdiction, the recognition and enforcement of decisions in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility, and on international child abduction (recast), and the central authority within the meaning of Council Regulation (EC) No 4/2009 of 18 December 2008 on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of decisions and cooperation in matters relating to maintenance obligations.

Last update: 23/05/2023

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Моля, имайте предвид, че оригиналната езикова версия на тази страница португалски е била наскоро променена. Езиковата версия, която търсите, в момента се подготвя от нашите преводачи.

About the network - Portugal

Contact Point

Portugal has designated a contact point for the EJN (European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters). The contact point is a judge appointed by the Supreme Council of the Judiciary (Conselho Superior da Magistratura) by means of a competitive selection procedure (concurso).

National Network

The following are part of the national network: central authorities as specified in EU legal instruments, other international legal instruments to which Portugal is a party or national legal provisions in the area of judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters; administrative authorities with responsibilities in the area of judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters; and professional associations that represent legal practitioners directly involved in the application of international and EU instruments relating to judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters.

The national network does not have any liaison judges or experts among its members.

National Members of the Network

In addition to the contact point, the national structure of the network has thirteen members:

  • Directorate-General for Justice Policy (Direcção-Geral da Política de Justiça)
  • Directorate-General for Justice Administration (Direcção-Geral da Administração da Justiça)
  • Directorate-General for Rehabilitation and Prison Services (Direcção-Geral de Reinserção e Serviços Prisionais)
  • Institute of Registry Offices and Notaries (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado, I.P.)
  • Institute for Financial Management and Infrastructure in the Justice System (Instituto de Gestão Financeira e Equipamentos da Justiça, I.P.)
  • Council of Justices of the Peace (Conselho dos Julgados de Paz)
  • Social Security Institute (Instituto de Segurança Social, I.P.)
  • Committee for the Protection of Victims of Crime (Comissão de Protecção às Vítimas de Crimes)
  • A judge from the International Hague Network of Judges
  • Bar Association (Ordem dos Advogados)
  • Association of Solicitors and Enforcement Agents (Ordem dos Solicitadores e dos Agentes de Execução)
  • Notary Association (Ordem dos Notários)
  • Attorney-General’s Office (Procuradoria-Geral da República)

Central Authorities

Of the above-mentioned members, the following are central authorities or entities competent to perform certain tasks provided for in EU law:

Directorate-General for Justice Administration – Ministry of Justice

  • Regulation (EC) No 4/2009 of 18 December 2008
  • Regulation (EU) 2020/1784 of 25 November 2020
  • Regulation (EU) 2020/1783 of 25 November 2020
  • Hague Convention of 1965 on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters
  • Hague Convention of 1970 on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters
  • Hague Convention of 2007 on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance
  • New York Convention of 1956 on the Recovery Abroad of Maintenance

Directorate-General for Rehabilitation and Prison Services – Ministry of Justice

  • Regulation (EU) 2019/1111 of 25 June 2019
  • Hague Convention of 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction
  • Hague Convention of 1996 on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-operation in Respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children

Institute of Registry Offices and Notaries – Ministry of Justice

  • Regulation (EU) No 650/2012 of 4 July 2012

Social Security Institute – Ministry of Solidarity and Social Security (Ministério da Solidariedade e da Segurança Social)

  • Directive 2003/8/EC of 27 January 2003

Committee for the Protection of Victims of Crime – Ministry of Justice

  • Directive 2004/80/EC of 29 April 2004

Prosecutor-General’s Office

  • Hague Convention of 2000 on the International Protection of Adults

Coordination of the National Network in a non-hierarchical system

In Portugal, the national network is not hierarchical. Coordination, which is the responsibility of the contact point, is based on voluntary cooperation between national members, who regularly participate in quarterly meetings organised by the contact point. Whenever the application of EU law requires changes to be made to the national system, meetings are held that are restricted to the national members concerned.

The network does not have expert members. If an issue requires the opinion of an expert, the contact point requests the cooperation of the most appropriate national authority on a voluntary and informal basis. All national members are regularly encouraged by the contact point to cooperate in the specific areas under their remit and responsibility in relation to judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters.

Last update: 28/04/2023

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

About the network - Romania

The Network of Local Correspondents for International Judicial Assistance (Rețeaua de corespondenți locali în domeniul asistenței judiciare internaționale) was set up in 2001 pursuant to an Order of the Minister for Justice, based on the model of the European Judicial Network. In March 2004, following two Orders of the Minister for Justice, the Network was reorganised into two specialised networks: the Romanian Judicial Network in Criminal Matters (Rețeaua Judiciară Română în materie penală, corresponding to the European Judicial Network) and the Romanian Judicial Network in Civil and Commercial Matters (Rețeaua Judiciară Română în materie civilă și comercială, corresponding to the European Judicial Network in Civil and Commercial Matters). The two networks have been reorganised on a number of occasions (2005, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2019 and 2022), following amendments to the relevant EU law and changes in the staff working in the national judicial system.

The last update was made by Order No 3501/C of the Minister for Justice of 25 July 2022 in accordance with Decision No 568/2009/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2009 amending Council Decision 2001/470/EC of 28 May 2001. The Order was prepared in accordance with Government Order No 123/2007 on certain measures for strengthening judicial cooperation with the Member States of the European Union, approved with amendments by Law No 85/2008.

The Romanian Judicial Network in Civil and Commercial Matters corresponds to the European Judicial Network in Civil and Commercial Matters at national level.

Romania has designated two national contact points for the European Judicial Network in Civil and Commercial Matters. The contact points for the European Judicial Network in Civil and Commercial Matters are within the Ministry of Justice. This ensures that the duties of the European Judicial Network in Civil and Commercial Matters are fulfilled.

In accordance with Article 6 [of Council Decision 2001/470/EC], the Romanian Judicial Network in Civil and Commercial Matters comprises one judge from Civil Division I and one judge from Civil Division II (formerly Commercial Matters) of the High Court of Cassation and Justice (Înalta Curte de Casație și Justiție); one judge from each Civil Division I and Civil Division II (formerly Commercial Matters) of the courts of appeal; one judge from each specialised court/division for minors and family matters who specialises in civil matters related to international child abduction and the award of indemnities for victims of crime; officials from the Directorate for International Law and Judicial Cooperation who also fulfil the duties of the Ministry of Justice as the central authority in the area of international judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters; and one designated representative from each of the professional associations of notaries public (notari publici), bailiffs/judicial enforcement officers (executori judecătoreşti) and lawyers (avocaţi) in Romania. The national contact points for the European Judicial Network in Civil and Commercial Matters are full members of the Romanian Judicial Network in Civil and Commercial Matters.

The judges who are members of the Romanian Judicial Network were designated by decision of the Superior Council of Magistracy (Consiliul Superior al Magistraturii).

The members of the Romanian Judicial Network in Civil and Commercial Matters are listed in the Annex to Order No 3501/C of the Minister for Justice of 25 July 2022. The Annex is an integral part of the Order.

Members of the Romanian Judicial Network in Civil and Commercial Matters - Judges from the High Court of Cassation and Justice, courts of appeal, specialised courts/divisions for minors and family matters, and the Bucharest Tribunal (liaison judges in the International Hague Network for the Hague Convention of 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and a designated judge from the Commission for the award of indemnities for victims of crime):

High Court of Cassation and Justice (Înalta Curte de Casaţie şi Justiţie)

Denisa-Livia BĂLDEAN Judge, Civil Division I

Adina-Georgeta PONEA Judge, Civil Division I

Andreia-Liana CONSTANDA Judge, Civil Division I

Roxana POPA Judge, Civil Division II

Alba Iulia Court of Appeal (Curtea de Apel)

Cristina-Gheorghina NICOARĂ Judge, Civil Division I

Adina-Camelia IFTIMUȘ Judge, Civil Division II

Bacău Court of Appeal

Sorina CIOBANU Judge, President, Civil Division I

Loredana ALBESCU Judge, President, Bacău Court of Appeal

Brașov Court of Appeal

Elena-Clara CIAPĂ Judge, Civil Division

Simona-Petrina GAVRILĂ Judge, Civil Division

Brașov Minors and Family Tribunal (Tribunalul pentru Minori și Familie)

Andrei IACUBA Judge, Brașov Minors and Family Tribunal

Bucharest Court of Appeal

Andreea-Florina MATEESCU Judge, Civil Division III

Dorina ZECA Judge, Civil Division IV

Maria-Cristina FINTOC Judge, Civil Division IV

Ștefan-Ciprian CMECIU Judge, Civil Division V

Felix-Lucian ȘALAR Judge, Civil Division VI

Romeo GLODEANU Judge, Civil Division V

Bogdan CRISTEA Judge, Division VIII - Administrative and Tax Litigation

Bucharest Tribunal

Anca Magda VOICULESCU Judge, Civil Division IV (liaison judge in the International Hague Network for the Hague Convention of 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction)

Sorin-Vasile IVANCIUC Judge, President of Criminal Division I, Bucharest Tribunal, Commission for the Award of Indemnities to Victims of Crime

Cluj Court of Appeal

Axente-Irinel ANDREI Judge, President of Civil Division II

Constanța Court of Appeal

Luminița-Marinela DAN Judge, Civil Division II

Ecaterina GRIGORE Judge, Administrative and Tax Litigation Division

Craiova Court of Appeal

Lotus-Manuela GHERGHINĂ Judge, Civil Division II

Gabriela IONESCU Judge, President of Civil Division I

Galați Court of Appeal

Aneta-Luminița CRISTEA Judge, Civil Division I

Cosmin-Răzvan MIHĂILĂ Judge, President of Galați Court of Appeal

Andreea ARHIP Judge, President of Civil Division II

Alexandru BLEOANCĂ Judge, Civil Division II, Vice-President of Galați Court of Appeal

Iași Court of Appeal

Maria-Cristina POPA Judge, President of the Civil Division

Elena-Crizantema PANAINTE Judge, Division for Workplace and Social Security Disputes

Alina-Gianina PRELIPCEAN Judge, Administrative and Tax Litigation Division, Vice-President of the Iași Court of Appeal

Oradea Court of Appeal

Dorina-Mihaela BEREȘ Judge, Civil Division I

Marcela FILIMON Judge, President of Civil Division II - Administrative and Tax Litigation

Pitești Court of Appeal

Emilia-Raluca TRANDAFIR President, Pitești Court of Appeal

Corina PINCU IFRIM Judge, Civil Division I

Maria-Ruxandra DANCIU Judge, Civil Division II - Administrative and Tax Litigation

Alina PAVELESCU Judge, Civil Division, Argeș Tribunal

Beatrix-Yvone Vesna PIESS-MALIMARCOV Judge, Civil Chamber, Vâlcea Tribunal

Ploiești Court of Appeal

Adriana-Maria RADU Judge, President of Civil Division I

Aida-Liliana STAN Judge, Civil Division II - Administrative and Tax Litigation

Ionel STĂNESCU Judge, Civil Division II - Administrative and Tax Litigation, Vice-President of the Ploiești Court of Appeal

Suceava Court of Appeal

Ștefania-Fulga ANTON Judge, Civil Division I

Ana-Maria TURCULET Judge, President of Civil Division II

Marius-Ionel GALAN Judge, President of the Administrative and Tax Litigation Division

Târgu Mureș Court of Appeal

Andreea CIUCĂ Judge, President of the Târgu Mureș Court of Appeal

Adriana-Loredana BERINDEAN Judge, Civil Division II - Administrative and Tax Litigation

Timișoara Court of Appeal

Mădălina JEBELEAN Judge, Civil Division I

Ramona-Ioana RISTEA Judge, Civil Division II

National contact points for the European Judicial Network in Civil and Commercial Matters - Legal professionals having a status equivalent to that of judges and prosecutors

Flavius-George PĂNCESCU Head of Service, International Judicial Cooperation in Civil and Commercial Matters, Directorate for International Law and Judicial Cooperation, Ministry of Justice

Ioana BURDUF (legal professional having a status equivalent to that of a judge or prosecutor), Directorate for International Law and Judicial Cooperation, Ministry of Justice

Members of the Romanian Judicial Network in Civil and Commercial Matters - Legal professionals having a status equivalent to that of judges and prosecutors from the Directorate for International Law and Judicial Cooperation who carry out the duties of the Ministry of Justice as the central authority in the area of international judicial cooperation and who provide the secretariat of the Network

Camelia TOBĂ (legal professional having a status equivalent to that of a judge or prosecutor), Directorate for International Law and Judicial Cooperation, Ministry of Justice

Members of the Romanian Judicial Network in Civil and Commercial Matters - One representative designated by each of the Presidents of the National Unions of Notaries Public, Bailiffs and Bar Associations in Romania

Octavian ROGOJANU, Notary Public (notar public), Secretary of the Council of the Romanian National Union of Notaries Public

Constantin Adrian STOICA, bailiff/judicial enforcement officer, Romanian National Union of Bailiffs (Uniunea Executorilor Judecătorești din România)

Costea-Corin C. DĂNESCU, lawyer, National Union of Romanian Bar Associations (Uniunea Națională a Barourilor din România)

Last update: 06/12/2022

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

About the network - Slovenia

The European Judicial Network in Civil and Commercial Matters (EJN) operates in Slovenia through three (3) contact points and 23 network members.

The contact points are employees at the Slovenian Ministry of Justice, which means that contact point work can be managed and coordinated on a daily basis.

In Slovenia, international legal assistance on civil and commercial matters is the responsibility of the district courts (okrožna sodišča), of which there are 11. This means that, in complying with Article 2(1)(d) of the EJN Council Decision[1], Slovenia appointed one representative from each district court as an EJN member. Slovenia also appointed one specialised network member (a judge) to have competence for judicial cooperation in family matters.

Furthermore, in 2019 four (4) network members (district judges) were appointed with competence for Regulation (EU) No 650/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on jurisdiction, applicable law recognition and enforcement of decisions and acceptance and enforcement of authentic instruments in matters of succession and the creation of a European Certificate of Succession, and four (4) network members (district judges) were appointed with competence for EU procedures (European payment order, small claims procedure, European enforcement order).

Following the amended EJN Decision[2] in 2009, representatives of other legal professions were permitted to cooperate within the EJN, as well. Accordingly, since 2011 the Chamber of Notaries of Slovenia (Notarska zbornica Republike Slovenije), the Bar Association of Slovenia (Odvetniška zbornica Republike Slovenije) and the Chamber of Enforcement Agents of Slovenia (Zbornica izvršiteljev Slovenije) have also been network members.

The involvement of judges and other legal professions in the EJN is a vital cog in meeting the EJN's objectives, as it ensures direct cooperation between judges and other legal professions, which is important for the smoother resolution of the actual cases that come before the courts.

The EJN contact points and network members communicate frequently and according to need via email, telephone and in person, and gather annually at national meetings.


[1] Council Decision of 28 May 2001 establishing a European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters (OJ L 174, 17.6.2001), amended by Decision No 568/2009/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 168/2009, 18.6.2009).

[2] Decision No 568/2009/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2009 amending Council Decision 2001/470/EC establishing a European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters (OJ L 168/2009, 18.6.2009).

Last update: 06/12/2023

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

About the network - Slovakia

Currently, the Slovak members of the Network are:

  • four contact points from the Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic (Private International Law Department (Odbor medzinárodného práva súkromného) of the International Law Section (Sekcia medzinárodného práva)).
  • a family law liaison magistrate;
  • representatives of other central authorities defined in EU instruments:

the Centre for International Legal Protection of Children and Youth (Centrum pre medzinárodnoprávnu ochranu detí a mládeže),
the Legal Aid Centre (Centrum právnej pomoci);

  • representatives of professional associations:

the Slovak Bar Association (Slovenská advokátska komora),
the Chamber of Notaries of the Slovak Republic (Notárska komora Slovenskej republiky),
the Slovak Chamber of Bailiffs (Slovenská komora exekútorov);

Following Council Decision 2001/470/EC establishing a European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters a Judicial network in civil matters (Súdna sieť pre občianske veci Slovenskej republiky) was established in Slovakia with a view to ensuring effective involvement of the Slovak Republic in the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters. The Slovak Judicial network in civil matters comprises contact points (judges or senior judicial officers) from each district court (okresný súd) and regional court (krajský súd), as well as from the Supreme Court (Najvyšší súd).

Last update: 09/12/2022

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

About the network - Finland

Contact points in Finland

The contact points in Finland are two designated officials working in the Unit for International Legal Assistance in the Ministry of Justice. The contact point belongs to a unit that acts as the central authority for several EU regulations and international agreements in the field of civil and criminal law. In addition to networking, the duties of the contact point include central authority tasks and other civil law cooperation.

The contact point has a separate email address for courts and other legal and administrative authorities involved in judicial cooperation in civil and commercial law matters that need practical assistance in problems related to cross-border cases.

The contact point works actively with national judicial authorities, lawyers and other legal professionals. The tasks of the contact point include disseminating information on the legal provisions of EU civil and commercial law and the practical application thereof, as well as providing training in related issues. The contact point also helps national judicial authorities in problems related to cross-border requests for assistance and is actively involved in relevant networks and working groups.

The Finnish Bar Association has been appointed as a member of the Network pursuant to Article 2(1)(e) of the founding decision.

As well as the contact point and the Finnish Bar Association, members of the Finnish civil law network participate in the work of the Network (see below for details).

The Finnish national network in cross-border civil-law cases

A national network for cross-border civil-law cases was established in Finland in 2016.

The work of the national network includes knowledge sharing and ensuring the flow of information about EU civil-law legislation and associated sources of information between the European civil-law network and both the Finnish judicial authorities and other legal professionals.

Representatives of the local courts, the courts of appeal, the enforcement authorities, the Legal Aid Authority, the Finnish Bar Association and the Ministry of Justice have been appointed to the national network. The Network’s contact point in Finland coordinates the operations of the network.

The national network meets twice a year. Representatives of the national network also take part in the meetings and work of the European civil-law network.

Last update: 15/02/2024

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

About the network - Sweden

Sweden has appointed a person who works in the Division for Procedural Law and Court Issues at the Ministry of Justice as the contact point for the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters, and a person who works in the Division for Crime Policy at the Ministry of Justice as the contact point for the e-Justice portal.

The Swedish members of the network are the Swedish National Courts Administration, the Swedish Bar Association, the Swedish Enforcement Authority, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, the Family Law and Parental Support Authority and the Swedish Crime Victim Compensation and Support Authority, as well as two central authorities (the Division for Criminal Cases and International Judicial Cooperation at the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Consular Affairs and Civil Law at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

Last update: 03/03/2017

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

About the network - England and Wales

Contact Points

There is one contact point for each of the United Kingdom’s four legal jurisdictions. As each jurisdiction is separate there is no overlap in the work of these contact points who each have sole responsibility for the Network in their jurisdiction. Queries through the EJN should be directed to the relevant contact point for the jurisdiction concerned.

The contact point for England and Wales works within the Ministry of Justice in London. He has the assistance of one member of staff and can call on a number of other colleagues when dealing with Network business. The work of the Network is combined with other tasks.

The functioning of the EJN in England and Wales

There is no formal national network within England and Wales. Within the Ministry of Justice, however, a network of people who are experts in particular policy areas has been developed to whom the contact point can turn for answers to queries that are raised.

Contacts have also been developed in other relevant Ministries to whom the contact point can turn for advice or answers to queries which fall within that Ministry’s responsibilities. The contact point also works closely with others who are the extended members of the Network for England and Wales, including a number of judges with specialist skills in specific areas of law or with responsibility for international liaison work – in particular the judicial Head of International Family Law and the Senior Master who is the judge with responsibility for the Service and Taking of Evidence Regulations.

All extended members of the Network and the inter-Ministry informal network can be contacted by e-mail. Those within the Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service have access to an intranet which can be used to disseminate Network information and judges can be contacted by e-mail too. Information about the Network has also been provided on the Judicial Intranet for England and Wales.

The contact point ensures that relevant policy, administrative or judicial experts are consulted before relevant meetings of the Network and the notes of meetings and relevant action points are disseminated as appropriate.

The contact point attends the International Family Law Committee which is composed of senior family judges, lawyers, academics and the relevant central authorities for England and Wales. This meets quarterly and, amongst other matters, shares information on recent EU legislation and the activities of the Network. He has also attended some meetings of the Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Private International Law. This Committee is composed of senior judges and academics and advises the Ministry of Justice on EU proposals in the area of civil judicial cooperation.

The contact point also has regular contact with both the Bar Council and Law Society of England and Wales, the bodies representing respectively barristers and solicitors, as well as the UK representative of the ECC-Net who is responsible for all UK jurisdictions. Previous meetings have also been held with the UK SOLVIT contacts.

Providing information

There is no national website for the EJN in England and Wales. Information is provided through other existing sites including, as mentioned above, the Judicial Intranet. The contact point has worked with others, however, when providing different sources of information, including on the website of Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service guidance to citizens about how to initiate or respond to cross-border claims – in particular relating to the European Enforcement Order, European Order for Payment and European Small Claims Regulations. He has also worked with the ECC-Net in the UK which has produced a guide to the European Small Claims Regulation. Opportunities are taken to raise awareness of the EJN and the pages on the e-justice portal at appropriate meetings and conferences and in relevant publications.

Last update: 08/07/2019

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

About the network - Northern Ireland

Contact Points

There is one contact point for each of the United Kingdom's four legal jurisdictions. As each jurisdiction is separate there is no overlap in the work of these contact points who each have sole responsibility for the Network in their jurisdiction. Queries through the EJN should be directed to the relevant contact point for the jurisdiction concerned.

The contact point works within the Northern Ireland Department for Justice. The contact point does not work full time on Network matters, but can call on the assistance of a number of operational and policy colleagues when dealing with Network business. The work of the network is combined with a number of other tasks.

The functioning of the EJN in Northern Ireland

There is no formal national network within Northern Ireland. Within the Department for Justice, however, a network of people who are experts in particular policy areas has been developed. The contact point also has a number of established contacts in other relevant Departments to whom queries, which fall outside the remit of the contact point's Department, can be addressed. As Northern Ireland is a small jurisdiction, the contact point has a well-established network of internal contacts that can assist with most queries and information requests received.

The most effective means of conveying requests and information is via e-mail. This enables messages to be forwarded, in particular to outside contacts, quickly and in full, thus ensuring that relevant personnel have the necessary information to assist them in answering queries.

The contact point ensures that relevant policy, administrative or judicial experts are consulted when queries are received and before relevant meetings of the Network. Notes of meetings and relevant action points are disseminated as appropriate.

Providing information

There is no national website for the EJN in Northern Ireland. Information is provided through other existing sites. Reference is increasingly made to the e-Justice portal. The contact point has worked with others, who provide sources of information, including the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service (Link opens in new windowhttps://www.justice-ni.gov.uk/topics/courts-and-tribunals), as its public website includes information relating to the work of the Network for example, information on enforcement of foreign judgements, European Small Claims and Order for Payment procedures, etc. The Northern Ireland Government website (Link opens in new windowhttp://www.nidirect.gov.uk) also contains information on the European Small Claims Procedure.

Opportunities are taken to raise awareness of the EJN and the pages of the e-Justice portal at appropriate meetings and conferences and in relevant publications.

Last update: 18/05/2020

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

About the network - Scotland

Contact Points

There is one contact point for each of the United Kingdom’s four legal jurisdictions. As each jurisdiction is separate there is no overlap in the work of these contact points who each have sole responsibility for the Network in their jurisdiction. Queries through the EJN should be directed to the relevant contact point for the jurisdiction concerned.

The contact point for Scotland works within the Scottish Government's EU office in Brussels. She can call on a number of colleagues when dealing with Network business. The work of the Network is combined with other tasks.

The functioning of the EJN in Scotland

There is no formal national network within Scotland. Within the Justice Directorate, however, a network of people who are experts in particular policy areas has been developed. The contact point can turn to these colleagues for answers to specific queries.

Contacts have also been developed elsewhere in the Scottish Government. The contact point turns to these individuals for advice or answers to queries relating to their work. The contact point also works with others outside of government, where relevant. Examples include the Law Society of Scotland and the Faculty of Advocates, the professional bodies representing respectively solicitors and advocates. The contact point has also established links with the representative body for enforcement officers, the Society of Messengers at Arms and Sheriff Officers (SMASO).

The most common way in which information is accessed and exchanged is by email. The contact point has also attended meetings in person.

The contact point ensures that relevant policy, administrative or other experts are consulted before relevant meetings of the Network. Notes of meetings and relevant action points are disseminated as appropriate.

Providing information

There is no national website for the EJN in Scotland. Information is provided through other existing sites. Reference is increasingly made to the e-Justice Portal. The contact point has worked with others who provide sources of information, including the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS). The Link opens in new windowSCTS website provides guidance to citizens about cross-border claims - in particular relating to the European Enforcement Order, European Order for Payment and European Small Claims Regulations. Opportunities are taken to raise awareness of the EJN and the pages of the e-Justice Portal at appropriate meetings and conferences and in relevant publications.

Last update: 25/11/2019

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective EJN contact point. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. Neither the EJN nor the European Commission accept responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.