Diana Wallis opens Inter-Parliamentary Forum on Judicial Cooperation in Civil Matters

9.21.09am GMT Wed 3rd Dec 2008

Diana Wallis, Vice-President of the European Parliament has today, on behalf of the Parliament, opened its 'Inter-Parliamentary Forum on Judicial Cooperation in Civil Matters'. The forum brought together representatives from national parliaments and legal professional organisations across Europe to discuss views and present ideas on how Europe can work better together on civil justice, in areas such as the use of IT in judicial systems, family law and improving access to justice.

Diana Wallis MEP, Vice President of the European Parliament, said in her opening address:

"Over the years the Legal Affairs Committee has sometimes seemed to be in the shadows of the European Parliament, nevertheless it has achieved a great deal over the past four and a half years in the course of this legislature. Adopting both Rome II and Rome I to give a complete and coherent picture in the area of applicable law; the European enforcement order, the small claims directive; the regulation on service of documents and the mediation directive. All these make a huge contribution to the functioning of a truly European cross border civil justice system.

"The European Parliament has done its best to fulfil its role of making access to justice a reality across Europe for our citizens and enterprises thus helping them in their daily lives and business."