History, concept and financing

The project, entitled « A strong Belgian EJN for an optimal EU awareness of Belgian judges » submitted by the Belgian section of the European Judicial Network in Civil and Commercial Matters(EJN-Belgium) in partnership with the Judicial Training Institute (IFJ) has been co-financed by the European Union’s « Justice » Programme established for the period 2014-2020. The « Justice » programme co-finances actions with European added-value that contribute to the further development of a European area of freedom, security and justice.

This project aims to strengthen the Belgian section of the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters in order to increase the European awareness of legal practitioners, i.e. magistrates and judicial staff, by promoting a more efficient exchange of information on private international law and experiences of cooperation in civil and commercial matters.

This project is based in particular on establishing a structure composed of contact points within the lower courts. These people, who are called Euro-coordinators, are appointed by the heads of the courts from among the judges and/or registrars practising in their court. The description of the tasks required of the Eurocoordinators has been drawn up with their participation.

In addition, developing a database of relevant case law, organising training, providing legislation and cooperation tools, and creating a discussion platform are the main components of the project.

The completion of the project should make it easier to use and master the European instruments, with the aim of delivering quality decisions.

The project consists of linking practitioners together to share knowledge and experience and to form a support structure for the resolution of cases submitted to them.

The project should also enable practitioners from other Member States to find counterparts in Belgium who can guide them towards answers and solutions to the cross-border cases they deal with.

Scientific Committee

In order to implement and monitor this project in terms of technical knowledge, the partnership between EJN-Belgium and the IFJ has set up a Scientific Committee, in accordance with the Commission’s requirements. The following persons are members of this committee.

B. Deconinck

First President of the Court of Cassation

R. Van Ransbeeck

Director of the IFJ

I. Couwenberg

Advisor to the Court of Cassation

M. de Hemptinne

Family and Youth Appeal Judge (Brussels Court of Appeal), member of the International Network of Hague Judges

Th. Kruger

Professor at the University of Antwerp

B. Maudoux

Advisor FPS Justice

European instruments involved

European instruments involved

Regulation (EU) No 1215/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2012 on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters (recast)

Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003 of 27 November 2003 concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility, repealing Regulation (EC) No 1347/2000

Council Regulation (EU) 2019/1111 of 25 June 2019 concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility as well as international child abduction

Applicable à partir du 1/8/2022 : Règlement (UE) 2019/1111 du Conseil du 25 juin 2019 relatif à la compétence, la reconnaissance et l’exécution des décisions en matière matrimoniale et en matière de responsabilité parentale, ainsi qu’à l’enlèvement international d’enfant

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

Council Regulation (EU) No 1259/2010 of 20 December 2010 implementing enhanced cooperation in the area of the law applicable to divorce and legal separation

Regulation (EC) No 1393/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 November 2007 on the service in the Member States of judicial and extrajudicial documents in civil or commercial matters (service of documents), and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1348/2000

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)

Council Regulation (EC) No 1206/2001 of 28 May 2001 on cooperation between the courts of the Member States in the taking of evidence in civil or commercial matters

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)