Digitisation in civil judicial cooperation in the European Union: an analysis of its evolution

The aim of this document is to analyse European legislation on the cross-border electronic exchange of data relating to civil judicial proceedings. To this end, the evolution of the European Area of Freedom, Security and Justice will be analysed, from the signing of the Maastricht Treaty in 1992 to the legislative efforts of recent years to strengthen judicial cooperation between Member States through the use of new technologies. Particular emphasis will be placed on Regulation (EU) 2022/850 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2022 on a computerised system for the electronic cross-border exchange of data in the field of judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters. This makes e-CODEX the main European system for the electronic exchange of procedural data between judicial authorities. We will therefore analyse the main features of this system, while addressing the issues related to its efficient management and the necessary respect to be shown in its use in relation to the processing of personal data. On the basis of Article 67(3) TFEU in general and Article 81(1) TFEU in civil matters, the TFEU provides that judicial cooperation must respect the principles of mutual recognition and approximation of laws. However, the creation of a genuine European procedural law is still a long way off, with the greatest efforts being directed not towards establishing single Community rules but, from a perspective that is perhaps less ambitious but certainly more respectful of the legal traditions of the member states, towards homogenising domestic procedural laws. The aim of legislative approximation in the field of civil procedure is to promote the mutual recognition of judgements handed down by the judicial authorities of one Member State which are to be enforced on the territory of another.
\nThis is where the digitalisation of justice has a key role to play. In this regard, the European Union must promote the adaptation of national judicial systems to the new digital reality by fostering cross-border judicial cooperation through the automation of procedures for the exchange of procedural data, the use of telematic communication techniques and the interoperability of the digital systems used by the judicial authorities of the Member States. Indeed, a digitalised administration of justice and the use of information and communication technologies will undoubtedly promote much closer, faster and more effective judicial cooperation.