The French “CLUE III” Project – Enhancing Cross-Border Judicial Cooperation in Civil and Commercial Matters

The European Judicial Network (EJN) in civil and commercial matters, set up in 2001 on the model of the European Judicial Network in criminal matters, aims at strengthening cross-border cooperation between national courts of EU Member States, including legal practitioners. Therefore, it supports the effective implementation of private international law instruments in the EU jurisdiction.

More than 20 years after its creation, the EJN in civil and commercial matters remains an important tool for EU Member States and the proper functioning of their judiciary in international scenarios. It provides for an appropriate institutional structure to support the various legal and judicial tasks of practitioners and courts involved in cross-border civil justice.

In this context, I was able to talk to the French national contact points of the EJN about the “CLUE III” project, which is based on the EJN in civil and commercial matters. Here are the contents of our discussions.

Can you first explain the “CLUE III” project to our readers?

The “CLUE III” project, which stands for “Getting to know EU legislation” (« Connaître la Législation de l’Union Européenne »), is implemented since February 2024 by the French Ministry of Justice in cooperation with Expertise France, the French agency for international technical cooperation. Funded by the European Union, for a duration of two years, the project’s objectives are twofold: first, enhancing the visibility of the European Judicial Network (EJN) in civil and commercial matters vis-à-vis French legal practitioners; second, supporting the latter when they implement EU law and private international law in civil and commercial matters.

Practitioners targeted by the project are the ones currently represented within the French EJN: judges, notaries, lawyers and bailiffs. To some extent, the project also aims to benefit court clerks who are highly involved in the practical implementation of EU legislation in civil and commercial matters, despite them not being officially represented in the network.

What are the project’s main initiatives?

The “CLUE III” initiatives involve the organisation of training seminars for legal practitioners. Practical tools for practitioners will also be developed: a mind map on the cross-border service of documents; computer graphics on family matters and legal aid in cross-border litigation; a practical guide on the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments.

The project’s novelty consists in an additional “Roadshow” activity, which will bring a delegation of French EJN experts to visit five courts in France (Lille, Lyon, Nice, Perpignan et Strasbourg). There, the delegation will conduct a “needs analysis”, i.e. to survey the needs of legal practitioners with regard to the challenges of international judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters. Based on a series of interviews with local practitioners and feedback, the delegation will develop a one-day training seminar in 2025, with a view to meeting the needs expressed and to strengthening European judicial cooperation.

Ultimately, the project aims not only to implement a more effective judicial system in France, but also to support a more efficient and adequate cross-border cooperation with EU Member States, and beyond. Hence, it contributes to reinforce the Area of freedom, security and justice in the EU.

What are the project’s upcoming events?

Legal practitioners in France, in the European judicial area and beyond may wish to note the following two dates:

• • 18 December 2024: training seminar on the EU and international frameworks in civil and commercial matters, designed for practitioners (judges, lawyers, notaries, bailiffs and court clerks), eager to learn more on how to deal in practice with a cross-border case. Organised in Paris Court of appeal (in-person and in French). Interested practitioners can register through the online form.
  • 23 January 2025: French EJN Annual meeting (plenary session), organised in Paris at the French Supreme Court (Cour de cassation) (in-person and in French). The event will gather practitioners and experts working on EU and international cases in civil and commercial matters. Interested practitioners can register through the online form.

For more information about these meetings and the “CLUE III” project: rjecc.dacs@justice.gouv.fr.