News In Focus
9 May 2008
From the Brussels office
Rome I: opting in?
On 2 April the UK Government launched its consultation on the Rome I Regulation on cross-border contracts: “Rome I: Should the UK opt in?” The government chose
not to opt in to the original proposals in 2005, but intense negotiation has led to a largely revised version which, the UK argues, should allow cross-border trade to continue with confidence. The paper proposes that the UK should opt in to the revised version of the Regulation and employ the same rules with regard to contractual obligations between England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Antitrust damages claims
On 2 April the European Commission published a white paper on proposals to improve the prospects for victims of breaches of EC antitrust rules (such as price-fixing cartels) recovering damages. A consultation runs until 15 July.
Mediation deal
A deal has finally been brokered on the draft directive on mediation in cross-border legal disputes, as MEPs approved, without amendment, the Council’s position. This instrument is designed to set in place an alternative dispute resolution system for use in cross-border cases.