a
what was at stake
b
green position
c
what we achieved
d
what we did not achieve

Jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters

If a German company discharges toxic waste into the Danube river and the toxins mix with Austrian or Slovak farmers' irrigation water, for a long time it was unclear, which court is competent and how judgments can be enforced.

Before any enforcement could take place, a special intermediate judicial procedure had to be completed.

The new Regulation aims to change this.

The new rules will determine which court is competent. The enforcement of that court's judgment will then be valid throughout the EU.

 

What was the Greens' position?

The Greens believe that the new rules on jurisdiction in civil and commercial matters constitute an important milestone for consumer protection in EU legislation.

For it is consumers who will benefit most from easier access to courts in cross-border cases, which can now be taken to court in their home country, sparing them the prohibitive procedures for determining which court is competent.

We want these rules to apply to all legal domains.

We also proposed a revision clause obliging the Commission to verify whether the procedure can be extended to persons domiciled outside the EU.

 

Did other MEPs accept the Greens' position?

The Greens succeeded in negotiating provisions on correlation tables and delegated acts, thereby ensuring that Parliament retains control over the new rules' implementation.

Furthermore, our amendment on a revision clause was adopted by a majority.

The Commission will now have to verify whether the rules on jurisdiction in civil and commercial matters can be extended to persons domiciled outside the EU.

 

Which points did the Greens lose?
The Greens were generally satisfied with the outcome of the negotiations.
Reference(s)
Committee:JURI

Procedure:Ordinary legislative procedure

Reference(s):2013/0268(COD)

Lead MEP:Tadeusz Zwiefka (EPP)

Green MEP responsible:Eva LIchtenberger

Voted:13.03.2012

Staff contact:Francesca Beltrame (Email)

Outcome of the vote
Below you find the results of the final vote in plenary. How did the political groups vote? What about national delegations? And what was the position of your MEP?