Citizens' access to law and justice in Europe
- On: 18.09.2008
- In: Brussels
On 18 September 2008, on the occasion of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the French Bar Association and the Delegation of the French Bar Association is organising a conference in Brussels on citizens' access to law and justice in Europe.
One of the French Presidency's concerns is to bring Europe closer to its citizens.
This conference is held in line with the mission given by Nicolas Sarkozy, President of the French Republic to Alain Lamassoure, Member of the European Parliament and former Minister for European Affairs. In a letter of 18 September 2008, Nicolas Sarkozy noted that "While company law or agricultural policy rules are generally complied with, this is not always the case for ordinary citizens (… ). I would like you to make specific proposals to improve the effective application of Community law on citizens".
The conference will be opened by Jacques Barrot, the European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security.
The conference will address a number of topical issues such as the new rights of European citizens moving within the European Union, the processing of cross-border divorce cases, the launch of the European Justice Forum, the extension of the European Judicial Network to include legal professionals and the strengthening of European citizens' fundamental rights.
The debates will be led by MEPs, senior judges, senior civil servants from the European institutions and lawyers specialising in Community law.
The conference will provide an opportunity to examine the new instruments available to European citizens to enhance their rights within the EU.
The conference will be closed by Rachida Dati, Minister of Justice.
- Updated: 08.10.2008
