On 1 September, the European Commission launched an open public consultation and a call for evidence to gather feedback on a possible revision of EU rules governing jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in cross-border civil and commercial cases (‘Brussels Ia Regulation‘). The consultation will help assess how the current rules are working in practice and identify possible improvements to strengthen legal certainty, improve access to justice, reduce administrative burdens and support the competitiveness of EU businesses operating across borders.
The current rules are a cornerstone of judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters in the EU. They establish common rules to determine which courts have jurisdiction in cross-border disputes and ensure that court judgments can be recognised and enforced across member states. This helps citizens and businesses resolve their disputes with parties from different EU countries more efficiently, supporting the functioning of the Single Market and making the EU a more attractive place in which to invest and do business.
A recent Commission application report found that the rules continue to function well and have generally achieved their objectives. At the same time, it identified areas where targeted improvements could help modernize the framework, simplify procedures and better align the rules with digital developments and evolving litigation patterns.
Both the public consultation and the call for evidence will run for 12 weeks, until 24 November 2026. More information on how to participate is available online.