Better access for EU citizens to legal information: e-justice portal
16.07.10On 16 July 2010 the European Commission launched the e-justice portal, a "one-stop electronic shop" for information on European justice and on national judicial procedures.
Commission proposes to introduce a Directive on Insurance Guarantee Schemes
12.07.10On 12 July 2010 the Commission has adopted a White Paper to consult relevant stakeholders regarding the introduction of a legally binding instrument to ensure that all Members States have an Insurance Guarantee Scheme (IGS). IGSs...
Italian Maximum Lawyers’ Fees - Compatibility with EU Law
06.07.10The Advocate General of the European Court of Justice Jan MAZÁK believes that the infringement procedure (C-565/08) launched by the European Commission and attacking the Italian rules on maximum lawyers’ fees should be rejected...
European Contract Law – Public consultation
01.07.10On 1 July 2010, the European Commission published a Green Paper to assess the available options to ease cross-border transactions for consumers and businesses.
Commission interested in further harmonisation of European contract law
21.05.10The European Commission has explicitly stated its objective of developing a harmonised set of European contract law and work in the context might have consequences for insurance contract law.
Fixed minimum lawyers’ fees - EU Commission requests Greece formally
05.05.10According to the Commission the current Greek rules imposing a minimum lawyer fee are an infringement to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), in particular to the fundamental freedom of establishment...
Renewal of the Insurance Block Exemption Regulation
01.04.10Since 1 April 2010 the new Regulation exempting certain agreements between insurance companies from the application of normal EU competition requirements (former Article 81(3) of the EC Treaty, now Article 101(3) Treaty on the...
Italian lawyers' fees under scrutiny of the ECJ
23.02.10On 24 March 2010 at 9.30 the first hearing for case C-565/08 (Commission v Italian Republic) on maximum lawyers’ fees is going to take place in front of the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Justice.
Public consultation on EU-Commission’s practices in antitrust cases
06.01.10On 6 January the European Commission published three documents explaining how its antitrust procedures work in practice: (1) Best Practices for antitrust proceedings, (2) Best Practices for the submission of economic evidence...
Solvency II Directive published
05.01.10On 17 December 2009 the Directive 2009/138/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the taking-up and pursuit of the business of Insurance and Reinsurance (Solvency II) was published in the Official...
Study published on the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the European Union
16.10.09The Study, commissioned by the European Commission and conducted by CIVIS Consulting Berlin, provides an overview of the existing ADR schemes in the EU and how they work. It identifies the existing gaps and assesses the...
Directive on Consumer Rights: European Commission publishes an impact assessment table
09.10.09On 9 October 2009 a comparative table was published to illustrate the impact of some of the issues addressed in the Proposal for a Directive on Consumer Rights on existing levels of consumer protection across the EU.
ADR in the area of Financial Services
14.09.09The European Commission has published a summary of the 68 contributions it has received to the public consultation on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the area of financial services.
Consumer Redress: new study published
01.09.09A new study, "Consumer Redress in the EU: Consumer Experiences, Perceptions and Choices", was published in August 2009. The study was conducted by TNSqual+ on behalf of the European Commission.
European Commission’s Program for the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
19.08.09On 10 June 2009 the European Commission adopted a Communication entitled “An area of Freedom, Security and Justice serving the Citizen”. The objective is to set the priorities and provide a framework for future actions for the...
Public Consultation on EU Standards for Classifying and Reporting Consumer Complaints
31.07.09On 7 July 2009 the European Commission has launched a public consultation asking interested parties to comment until 5 October 2009 on a harmonised methodology for the registration and reporting of consumer complaints and...
Consultation on the Rules applicable to Vertical Agreements
28.07.09On 28 July 2009 the European Commission invited all interested parties to comment its proposal for a revision of the Block Exemption Regulation N° 2790/1999 and Guidelines on supply and distribution agreements (vertical...
European Commission Consultation on Data Protection
09.07.09On 9 July 2009, the European Commission launched an online consultation on the legal framework for the fundamental right of personal data protection.
Insurance Guarantee Schemes: CEIOPS Input
01.07.09On 1 July 2009 CEIOPS published its report, including 13 recommendations on possible solutions for an EU regulation, which gives input to the ongoing work on insurance guarantee schemes.
ECJ Ruling: Ownership and Operation of Pharmacies can be restricted to Pharmacists alone
22.05.09On 19 May 2009, the European Court of Justice decided that Italian and German legislation laying down a rule that ownership and operation of pharmacies are exclusively restricted to pharmacists is justified by the objective of...
Advocate-General's Opionion on Practice of Austrian Legal Protection Insurers
14.05.09The question whether legal expenses insurers may in collective actions instruct a lawyer of their choice to represent all insured parties involved is at present being heard before the European Court of Justice.
Agreement on Solvency II Framework Directive
22.04.09On 22 April 2009 the European Parliament has approved the draft Solvency II framework directive.
Recommendation for the Creation of a Unified Patent Litigation System
30.03.09On 24 March 2009 the European Commission adopted a Recommendation to the Council to establish a unified and integrated patent litigation system.
Consultation on the compensation of victims of cross-border accidents in the EU
26.03.09The European Commission wants to obtain the views of interested parties on the effects of application of foreign law to claims arising from cross-border road traffic accidents.
Consultation Papers on Solvency II - Level 2 Implementing Measures
26.03.09On 26 March 2009 the Committee of European Insurance and Occupational Pension Supervisors (CEIOPS) has released several documents for consultation.
Insurance Block Exemption Regulation: EU Commission's preliminary views
24.03.09On 24 March 2009 the European Commission has published a report on the functioning and possible continuation of the Insurance Block Exemption Regulation (BER) which will expire on 31 March 2010.
Report on Compensation of Victims of Cross-Border Road Traffic Accidents
18.02.09On 29 January 2009 the European Commission published a report which compares national practices, analyses problems and evaluates options for improving the position of victims of cross-border road traffic accidents in the EU.
Maximum Lawyers’ Fees in Italy before the European Court of Justice
22.12.08On 22 December 2008, the European Commission brought an action against the Italian Republic; the Commission is asking to condemn Italy for failure to fulfill its obligations according to the EC Treaty. The present action of the...
European Court of Justice: Advocate General delivers opinion in DocMorris case
16.12.08The Advocate General considers that rules providing that only pharmacists may own and operate a pharmacy are not contrary to the Treaty provisions on the freedom of establishment.
Consultation on Alternative Dispute Resolution Systems in the Financial Services Sector
11.12.08On 11 December 2008 the European Commission launched a public consultation in order to find solutions for improvements of Alternative Dispute Resolution systems (ADR) in the financial sector. Interested parties are requested to...