Following its communication of 2 December 2020 on the digitalisation of justice in the EU (→ see seperate news item), the Commission has published a consultation on the digitalisation of cross-border criminal and civil proceedings. The consultation is running until 11 May 2021 and is principally open to everyone but specifically invites those who are familiar with the use of IT tools in cross-border judicial proceedings.

The Commission aims to take concrete actions in the 4th quarter of 2021 to increase the efficiency and resilience of cross-border judicial cooperation in civil, commercial and criminal matters, and improve access to justice for citizens, businesses and legal practitioners through the use of digital technologies.

An inception impact assessment sets out more clearly the context, the problem behind the initiative, the objectives and the policy options. Citizens and stakeholders should reflect on how the existing legislative framework for cross-border procedures could be modernised while ensuring that all necessary safeguards are in place. They are in particular invited to provide views on the Commission’s understanding of the problem and possible solutions and to make available any relevant information that they may have, including on possible impacts of the different options.