The European Commission (EC) is set to transform the way justice is administered across member states, it has emerged.

The EC is to split the current directorate-general (DG) for justice, freedom and security into two new departments. One will have responsibility for civil and criminal justice, fundamental rights and citizenship. The other will be responsible for home affairs including immigration and asylum policy, migration, borders and security.

The current DG is perceived to focus on security and immigration at the expense of justice, and the split is intended to redress the balance between the two halves of the portfolio.

The separation signals a victory for Viviane Reding (pictured), the European commissioner for justice and fundamental rights. Along with the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), she has long argued that responsibility for justice and home affairs should be separated, as it is between ministries in member states.

The split also reflects the current division of the portfolio between Reding and Cecilia Malmstrom, the European commissioner for home affairs.

As the Gazette went to press, the new arrangement, which was expected to be announced on Wednesday 2 June, was predicted to come into effect in early July.

CCBE president José-María Davó-Fernández said: ‘We congratulate the president of the Commission for this important decision… We believe that a DG Justice will lead to more focus and purpose in the area of justice at the European level, will ensure better justice for citizens, and will enable the relevant provisions of the Lisbon Treaty to be introduced more effectively.’