The European Commission is targeting legal practitioners in a major publicity campaign launched last week to raise awareness of European legislation in international civil matters.

The Europe-wide campaign aims to alert solicitors to the growing number of civil areas where the EU has enacted legislation over and above domestic law.

A special Web site and pocket guidebook issued by the commission explain the significance of European law in international commercial and family disputes.

Current legislation covers matters such as the recognition and enforcement of judgements across the EU in civil and commercial matters, the taking of evidence and service of documents in different jurisdictions, and cross-border insolvency.

The commission is also formulating proposals to legislate on the direction of legal aid for cross-border matters, compensation for victims of cross-border crime, and alternative dispute resolution and procedures for dealing with small claims in international disputes.

Jonathan Goldsmith, secretary-general of the Council of the Bars and Law Societies of the European Union (CCBE), said: 'The areas covered by European private international law are now so vast and vital that this could not be more important.

The information on the commission's Web site will make things easier for lawyers.'

LINK: www.eurocivil.info

Rachel Rothwell