Lazić and Mankowski’s Study on the Brussels I-bis Regulation

Vesna Lazić (Associate Professor at Utrecht University and Senior Researcher at T.M.C. Asser Institute in The Hague) and the late Peter Mankowski (formerly Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Hamburg, Germany) published  in 2023 a book titled ‘The Brussels I-bis Regulation: Interpretation and Implementation’.

The book is a part of the JUDGTRUST Project titled ‘Regulation Brussels Ia: a standard for free circulation of judgments and mutual trust in the European Union’ funded by the European Commission’s Justice Programme (JUST-AG-2017/JUST-JCOO-AG-2017). More information about the project was  reported earlier on the EAPIL Blog here. The findings of this research are available online here.

The work carried out by the authors provides an in-depth analysis on the provisions regarding international jurisdiction and recognition and enforcement of judgments taking into consideration the relevant CJEU case law, as well as the results of the empirical research gathered for the JUDGTRUST Project from the National Reports from all EU Member States.

Within this context, the book identifies difficulties in the application of the Brussels Ia Regulation, as well as shortcomings and inconsistencies of the current legal framework, and provides suggestions for improvements.

Given the richness of information that was used to produce this volume, the book may be of assistance to scholars in private international law, legal practitioners, and students. Also, it may prove useful to legislators involved in the process of a future revision of the Brussels Ia Regulation.

Critical views expressed throughout the book and suggestions for the improvement are likely to trigger discussions that will certainly contribute towards advancing the effectiveness of this Regulation.