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20 August 07

From the Brussels office

Updates on the new regulation on service of documents, and the Commission's white paper on sport

Service of documents

Following a five-year review by the Commission of the operation of Regulation 1348/2000 on the service of documents in civil and commercial matters, the Council has reached a common position on a replacement regulation designed to make the process quicker and more certain. The new regulation introduces an obligation on receiving states to effect service within one month of receipt and sets a time limit of one week for the addressee to refuse service. New obligations are added to ensure that the addressee is advised of their right to refuse service, and a rule on the consequences of refusal. Member states are required to set a proportionate fixed fee for service. In an attempt to keep costs down, member states are also required to accept postal service, provided that there is an acceptable form of receipt. The regulation will receive final approval towards the end of the year and enter into force shortly afterwards.

First move into sports law

On 11 July the Commission published its “White Paper on Sport”. Until now, despite high profile cases such as the ECJ ruling in Bosman, the EU’s involvement in sport has been limited to competition law and internal market aspects. The forthcoming Reform Treaty will give the Commission new powers to make legislative proposals in sporting matters. The substance of the white paper covers the role of sport in society, and the organisation of sport, covering free movement of players, protection of minors and regulation of agents, corruption and transfers. The Commission will embark on a period of dialogue with stakeholders and member states, and will organise a conference in autumn 2007.

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