European Day of Civil Justice, a joint initiative of the European Commission and the Council of Europe

On the lines of other “European days”, in 2003 the European Commission and the Council of Europe launched “European Civil Justice Day” on 25 October each year, to bring civil justice truly within the reach of European citizens.

This day gives members of the public the opportunity to acquaint themselves with civil justice thereby making it easier for them to have access to it.

Commission Vice-President Franco Frattini, responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security, recalled the objective of this symbolic event: "Civil law is omnipresent in the life of all citizens - at work, or when they get married, have children, or buy goods and services. European integration in this field is advancing by leaps and bounds. Europe has already adopted laws to tackle the sensitive issue of parental child abduction or, in a completely different area, to ensure the free movement of civil and commercial claims. However, the concept of justice and the image of the courts are most often associated, in the public's mind, with criminal law. There is a tendency to see only the repressive aspect of justice. The Civil Justice Day should serve as a reminder that justice is first and foremost a service to citizens which enables them to settle their private disputes and assert their rights". The creation of a European day is thus intended to put the spotlight on civil justice and to encourage the organisation of information and awareness-raising events and campaigns that will enable those taking part to gain a better understanding of how judicial systems work.

This day should also help make people aware of the common judicial area for all Europeans that is now coming into being.

The fifth European Civil Justice Day will again see a number of events around 25 October in the Member States of the European Union and of the Council of Europe. The events planned include local conferences, open days, guided tours, meetings with members of the legal professions and activities for children. The nexus of these measures will be to bring civil justice closer to citizens.

This year, the keynote event will be a conference organised jointly by three neighbouring countries: Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. It will be held in Aachen (North Rhine-Westphalia) on 8 November. The European Commission and the Council of Europe will be present at the event. In the morning, as part of a programme for school pupils, some 180 children will be able to take part in simulations of civil cases. The participants will then be able to discuss and examine the similarities and differences between the judicial systems. In the afternoon, as part of a more specialist programme for judges and judicial staff, lawyers, trainee lawyers and law students, there will be two parallel workshops on European legal issues, followed by debates. At the closing ceremony in the evening the Justice Ministers of the organising countries will address the participants.
For links to other events involving the European Commission and the Council of Europe, please consult the following websites:
http://ec.europa.eu/civiljustice/news/whatsnew_en.htm

http://www.coe.int/t/dg1/legalcooperation/cepej/events/edcj/default_EN.asp
To find out more about Vice President Frattini's work please visit his website: http://www.ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/frattini/index_en.htm