On 21 May 2026, the first meeting of the expert sub-group established by the European Commission on the recast of the Brussels Ia Regulation took place in Brussels.
This initiative follows the report published by the European Commission on 2 June 2025 on the application of the Brussels Ia Regulation concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters. In this report, the Commission acknowledged that, although the Regulation generally functions well, several aspects require clarification, simplification and modernization to better respond to the practical difficulties encountered by legal practitioners throughout Europe.
The Commission also officially announced the launch of a formal review process which could lead to an amendment or a complete recast of the Regulation.
The expert group brings together 28 specialists from across Europe, including numerous university professors, private international law experts, judges and practitioners.
The European Union of Judicial Officers was represented during this first meeting by Patrick Gielen, bringing the practical expertise of judicial officers to the discussions, particularly regarding the recognition and enforcement of judgments as well as cross-border insolvency issues.
The work of the group focuses notably on simplifying cross-border enforcement procedures, improving the mechanisms for recognition and enforcement of judgments, clarifying the grounds for refusal of enforcement, enhancing coordination between European jurisdictions and adapting the Regulation to digital developments and the evolving needs of practitioners.
The work is expected to continue until the end of 2027 and should result in concrete proposals aimed at improving the functioning of the Brussels Ia Regulation for practitioners throughout Europe and for judicial officers dealing daily with cross-border enforcement proceedings.
For the UEHJ, participation in this expert group represents an important opportunity to ensure that the voice of practitioners is heard within a highly academic environment and to highlight the essential expertise of European judicial officers in the effective functioning of European civil justice.
