establishing a form for legal aid applications under Council Directive 2003/8/EC to improve access to justice in cross-border disputes by establishing minimum common rules relating to legal aid for such disputes
(notified under document number C(2004) 4285)
(2004/844/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 2003/8/EC of 27 January 2003 to improve access to justice in cross-border disputes by establishing minimum common rules relating to legal aid for such disputes (1), and in particular Article 16(1) thereof,
After consulting the Advisory Committee established by Article 17(1) of Directive 2003/8/EC,
Whereas:
(1)
Article 16(1) of Directive 2003/8/EC provides that the Commission is to establish a standard form for legal aid applications and for the transmission of such applications.
(2)
The standard form for the transmission of legal aid applications between the judicial authorities of the Member States has been established by Commission Decision C(2003) 1829 (2).
(3)
The standard form for legal aid applications as such is to be established at the latest by 30 November 2004, by virtue of Article 16(2) second sub-paragraph of Directive 2003/8/EC. That form should therefore be established by this decision.
(4)
In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of the Protocol on the position of Denmark annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Denmark, which is not bound by Directive 2003/8/EC, is not bound by this Decision or subject to its application,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The standard form for the submission of legal aid applications under Directive 2003/8/EC shall be as set out in the Annex.
FORM FOR LEGAL AID APPLICATION IN ANOTHER MEMBER STATE OF THE EUROPEAN UNIONINSTRUCTIONS1. Before filling in the application form, please read carefully these instructions2. All information requested in this form must be provided3. Any imprecise, inaccurate or incomplete information may delay the processing of your application4. Including false or incomplete information in this application may result in negative consequences in law, e.g. this application for legal aid may be rejected or you may face criminal charges5. Please attach all supporting documentation6. Please note that this application does not affect the time limits to be observed for commencing judicial proceedings or lodging an appeal7. Please date and sign and send the completed form to the competent authority as follows:7.a. You may choose to send your application to the competent transmitting authority of the Member State in which you reside. It will then transmit it to the competent authority of the relevant Member State. If you decide to proceed in this way, please indicate:Name of the competent authority in your Member State of residence:Address:Telephone/Fax/E-mail:7.b. You may choose to send this application directly to the competent authority of another Member State, if you know which authority is competent. If you decide to proceed in this way, please indicate:Name of the authority:Address:Telephone/Fax/E-mail:Are you able to understand the official language or one of the official languages of this country? YES NOOtherwise, in what languages is it possible to communicate with you for legal aid purposes?
A. Details of the person applying for legal aidA.1. Gender: Male FemaleName and forename (or if applicable business name):Date and place of birth:Nationality:Identity document number:Address:Telephone:Fax:E-mail:A.2. If applicable, details of the person representing the applicant if the applicant is a minor or under incapacity:Name and forename:Address:Telephone:Fax:E-mail:A.3. If applicable, details of the applicant’s legal representative (solicitor, agent, etc.):in the Member State of residence of the applicant:Name and forename:Address:Telephone:Fax:E-mail:
in the Member State where the legal aid is to be granted:Name and forename:Address:Telephone:Fax:E-mail:B. Information concerning the dispute for which legal aid is requestedPlease attach copies of any supporting documentation.B.1. Nature of the dispute (e.g. divorce, child custody, employment, business, consumer):B.2. Value of the dispute if the subject of the dispute can be expressed in money. Please specify the currency:B.3. Description of the circumstances of the dispute, incl. the location and date of the facts of the case, and any evidence (e.g. witnesses):C. Details of the procedurePlease attach copies of any supporting documentation.C.1. Are you the plaintiff or defendant?Describe your claim or the claim against you:Name and contact details of the opponent:
C.2. Special reasons, if any, for requesting urgent action on this application, e.g. time limits to be observed for commencing proceedings:C.3. Are you applying for the full amount or for part of legal aid?If you are only applying for partial legal aid, please specify what it should cover:C.4. Please specify whether legal aid is required for obtaining:pre-litigation adviceassistance (advice and/or representation) within the framework of extrajudicial proceduresassistance (advice and/or representation) within the framework of envisaged legal proceedingsassistance (advice and/or representation) within the framework of on-going legal proceedings. If so:Registration number:Dates of hearings:Name of the court:Address of the court:advice and/or representation within the framework of legal proceedings relating to a decision which has already been taken by a judicial authority. If so:Name and address of the judicial authority:Date of the decision:Nature of the case:Appeal against the decisionEnforcement of the decisionC.5. Please specify what additional costs you foresee because of the cross-border nature of the case (e.g. translations or travel):C.6. Do you have any form of insurance or other rights and facilities which may cover legal expenses in full or in part? If so, please give details:
D. Family situationHow many people live in your household?Please specify their relationship to you (the applicant):Name and forenameRelationship to the applicantDate of birth (if children)Is this person financially dependent on the applicant?Is the applicant financially dependent on this person?Yes/NoYes/NoYes/NoYes/NoYes/NoYes/NoYes/NoYes/NoYes/NoYes/NoYes/NoYes/NoYes/NoYes/NoIs there any person who is financially dependent on you who does not live in your household? If yes, specify:Name and forenameRelationship to the applicantDate of birth (if children)Is there any person on whom you are financially dependent who does not live in your household?If yes, specify:Name and forenameRelationship to the applicantE. Financial information:Please provide all information about yourself (I), your spouse or partner (II), any person who is financially dependent on you and resides with you (III) or any person you are financially dependent on and with whom you reside (IV).If you receive other financial contributions than maintenance from a person on whom you financially depend and with whom you do not reside, specify such benefits under ‘other income’ in E.1.If you provide other financial contributions than maintenance to a person financially dependant on you who does not reside with you, specify such benefits under ‘other expense’ in E.3.Documentary evidence shall be produced: e.g. income tax return, certificate of entitlement to state benefits etc.When providing the information in the tables below, please specify the currency in which the amounts are expressed.
E.1. Average monthly income detailsI. ApplicantII. Spouse or partnerIII. Dependent personsIV. Persons supporting the applicantEarned:Profit from business:Pensions:Maintenance support:State benefits:Please identify:1. Family and housing allowances:2. Unemployment and social security benefits:Income from capital (moveable assets, real estate):Other income:TOTAL:E.2. Property valueI. ApplicantII. Spouse or partnerIII. Dependent personsIV. Persons supporting the applicantReal estate used as permanent residence:Other real estate:Land:Savings:Shares:Motor vehicles:Other assets:TOTAL:
E.3. Monthly expenditureI. ApplicantII. Spouse or partnerIII. Dependent personsIV. Persons supporting the applicantIncome tax:Social security contributions:Local government taxes:Mortgage payments:Rent and housing costs:School fees:Childcare costs:Payment of debts:Repayment of loans:Maintenance paid to another under a legal obligation:Other expense:TOTAL:I declare that the information provided is true and complete and I undertake to declare without delay to the authority processing the application any changes in my financial situation.Date (place and time):