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European e-justice strategy
This new strategy highlights the growing importance of information and communication technology (ICT) as a way to increase the efficiency of legal processes and authorities among EU countries. It builds on work already undertaken, including the e-justice portal - a single, multilingual, user-friendly access point to the entire European e-justice system - and the first multiannual European e-justice action plan (2009-2013).
ACT
Multiannual European e-justice action plan 2014-2018 (Official Journal C 182 of 14 June 2014, pp. 2-13)
SUMMARY
This new strategy highlights the growing importance of information and communication technology (ICT) as a way to increase the efficiency of legal processes and authorities among EU countries. It builds on work already undertaken, including the e-justice portal - a single, multilingual, user-friendly access point to the entire European e-justice system - and the first multiannual European e-justice action plan (2009-2013).
WHAT DOES THIS STRATEGY DO?
It highlights the benefits of European e-justice, especially in regard to cases where two EU countries are involved. These include:
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greater access to justice and judicial information for everyone;
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better cooperation between EU countries’ judicial authorities;
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respect for the independence and diversity of countries’ judicial systems and for fundamental rights.
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Main e-justice achievements
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Pilot projects among EU countries, e.g. e-CODEX (secure exchange of legal data);
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interconnection of national databases (interconnection of insolvency registers, find a lawyer, find a notary, etc.);
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videoconferencing in judicial procedures;
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European case law identifier (ECLI).
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General principles
European e-justice is consistent with the general framework of e-Government and the European interoperability framework and is based on these principles:
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voluntary action;
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decentralisation;
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interoperability (i.e. the ability of ICT systems and of the business processes they support to exchange data and to enable the sharing of information and knowledge);
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European dimension (civil, criminal, administrative law).
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Strengthening the strategy
The e-justice strategy 2014-2018 calls for further development of:
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the e-justice portal (including content of the EU law and national law of EU countries);
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interoperability (links between relevant authorities, professionals, general public and businesses);
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consistent use of ICT with new EU legislation;
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protection of personal data;
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interconnection of national registers;
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e-justice networks;
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cooperation with legal professionals;
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mechanisms for providing translations;
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adequate financing at EU level.
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The new e-justice strategy is supported by a multiannual action plan 2014-2018, which sets a priority mechanism for implementing all new and ongoing e-justice projects.
Concerns raised by the strategy regarding the protection of personal data have since been addressed by the adoption of the European Commission decision of 5 June 2014. This legal instrument regulates exactly where the Commission has responsibilities as a data controller.
For more information, see European e-justice on the European Commission’s website.
RELATED ACTS
Draft strategy on European e-justice 2014-2018 (Official Journal C 376 of 21 December 2013, pp. 7-11).
Commission Decision 2014/333/EU of 5 June 2014 on the protection of personal data in the European e-justice portal (OJ L 167 of 6 June 2014, pp. 57-60).
Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee - Towards a European e-justice strategy - (COM(2008) 329 final of 30 May 2008).
Last updated: 23.07.2015