Civil procedure and harmonization of law. The dynamics of EU and international treaties

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Anna Nylund & Magne Strandberg (eds), Civil Procedure and Harmonization of Law. The Dynamics of EU and International Treaties, Cambridge, Intersentia, 2019, xiv + 242 p

Reviewed by Jarich WERBROUCK*

This book deals with a topic which gained more and more attention over the last decade: the harmonization and Europeanization of the law of civil procedure. It is composed of twelve contributions, as well as an introduction and a conclusion written by the editors, Professors Anna Nylund and Magne Strandberg, all in English. Next to an elaborate table of contents, a list of contributors and a list of abbreviations can be found at the beginning of the book.

The contributing authors come from the north side of the European con- tinent. Especially interesting is the variation in terms of whether or not the essay is written from a EU Member State perspective or from an EEA (European Economic Area) Member State perspective (specifically Norway). Hence, not only the harmonization within the European Union Member States is examined, but also the harmonization within the European Economic Area.

The topics dealt with are diverse, but very relevant in light of the book’s scope. On the one hand, one can find more policy oriented contributions concerning the support for harmonization, the interaction among the institutions and between the institutions and the Member States and the means by which harmonization could enter ‘through the back door’ (‘bottom-up harmonization’, as it is called by Wolfgang Hau). On the other hand, more general overviews are found concerning the impact of substantive law on procedural law, from multiple national perspectives. A more in-depth assessment is made of two topics in particular: the ex officio application of consumer law by national courts and the harmonising efforts concerning family maintenance.

The book begins with an introduction written by the editors (pages 1–9).

First, the sources of possible harmonization are briefly touched upon. Before elaborating on the purpose and methodology of the book, the two major causes of the complexity of the domain of harmonization of civil procedure are high- lighted: its multi-layered character, and the different speeds by which integration is taking place among the different states involved.

In a first set of contributions, it is the European perspective which comes to the fore. Professor Eva Storskrubb gives the reader a more policy-oriented look at the current and future state and efforts concerning harmonization (pages 11–34).

* Ph.D Candidate, Ghent University. Email: jarich.werbrouck@ugent.be.

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First of all, she provides insights on the institutions’past and current points of view (e.g. the Commission’s proposed broad interpretation of Article 81 TFEU, in comparison to the narrow interpretation as propagated by the Council and the Parliament). Next, she deals with possible triggers and pressures for further and more ambitious harmonization efforts, before she looks into the future at how the institutions could (and maybe should) act and what possible types of regulatory actions may be taken. Next, Professor John Sorabji deals with the by now well- known ELI-UNIDROIT Project (pages 35–59). In his essay, attention is paid not only to the background and the methodology employed by the working groups. Also the Project’s influence, as well as its future potential are dealt with from the perspective of a closely involved expert. After that, Professor Wolfgang Hau elabo- rates on the fragmented nature of the European law of civil procedure, due to the lack of a legal basis and a political majority for an encompassing harmonization of civil procedure (pages 61–75). This fragmentation is not limited to the European level, but also infects the Member States’ national law, since they have to imple- ment fragmented European legislation on civil procedure. One possible remedy to this fragmentation is dealt with: bottom-up harmonization (or voluntary over- implementation). Very interesting are the multiple examples given by the author of legal instruments, procedural provisions and legal concepts which were intro- duced into one state’s national procedural law, based on the positive experiences in another state or at the international level. This clearly shows that bottom-up harmonization and over-implementation is not an utopia, but is actually taking place already.

Second, some rather‘general’national overviews towards the impact of EU law on civil procedural law are given. Professor Laura Ervo treats the reader with a critical east Nordic perspective towards the impact of the harmonising efforts at the European level (pages 77–98). Although specific attention is paid to the payment order procedure and the small claims procedure, as well as their implementation and success in both Finland and Sweden, other types of cooperation are also touched upon (such as the Regulations on the taking of evidence and the service of documents). The same analysis is carried out from an English perspective by Professor John Sorabji, who passes by a second time (pages 99–110). Just as the previous contribution written by Professor Ervo, he focusses on both small claims procedures and payment orders, to prove that the influence of EU law on English civil procedure is actually rather minimal. Finally, Professor Hjort analyses the influence EU law has on Norwegian civil procedure through national substantive law (pages 111–124). The topics touched upon diverge from the previous two essays, however. Next to some specific examples (lawyers’ access to provide legal assistance and act as a counsel, security for liability for costs, information orders,…), the author also deals with a phenomenon already encountered: voluntary implementation of EU law. Contrary to Professor Hau, however, the phenomenon is this time analysed from the perspective of an EEA Member State which is not a member of the European Union.

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A third set of contributions deals with the ex officio application of EU consumer law by Member States’ national courts. Doctor Alain Ancery and Professor Bart Krans provide the reader with an overview of the Dutch approach (pages 125–139). Next to an introduction to the judicial and administrative bodies before which consumer law is actually enforced in the Netherlands, a short recapi- tulation is given of the European Court of Justice’s most important case law on the matter. Also, the Dutch views, both scholarly as well as practically, are mentioned throughout the entire contribution. At the end, it is apparent that theex officio application of consumer law is taken very serious in the Netherlands, which is exemplified by the fact that a practical ‘semi-manual’ on the subject has been drafted for courts, which is by now up to its third edition (Ambtshalve Toetsing III(2018)). Professors Ivo Bach and Torbjörn Andersson do the same, but from a German (pages 141–151), respectively Swedish (pages 153–170) perspective.

Contrary to the Netherlands, however, both authors come to the conclusion that in their respective countries, efforts might be necessary to be in full conformity with the European Court of Justice’s apparent demands. Criticism and scepticism towards the Court’s case law are not spared, which is a good thing given the fundamental principles (impartiality, principle of party disposition, effectiveness of EU law,…) at stake. The analysis of theex officioapplication of consumer law ends with a contribution by Professors Halvard Haukeland Fredriksen and Magne Strandberg, in which they deal with the Norwegian approach and the possibilities Norwegian law provides to be in conformity with EU law (pages 171–191). Specific attention is paid to potentially unfair jurisdiction clauses and arbitration clauses, and the means by which national courts might deal with these according to national law.

The fourth and final set of contributions, deals with the harmonization efforts in the context of family maintenance. Professor Volker Lipp guides the reader through the very complex interplay between international and European instruments on the matter (pages 193–208). Along the way and at the end of his essay, the major flaws of the current system are uncovered. After the European perspective provided by Professor Lipp, Professor Nylund gives us a Norwegian view on the matter (pages 209–229). Not only existing instruments are dealt with;

also, important unsolved issues are identified, which will in the future definitely have to be taken care of.

The conclusion sums up the most important findings and places the states’

approaches in perspective to one another (pages 231–242). Where for instance the ex officioapplication of EU consumer law is taken very serious in the Netherlands, resulting in actual semi-manuals for courts, the impact of the European Court of Justice’s case law is far less apparent in Norway, Germany and Sweden. This is not necessarily a problem, however, since according to the respective authors mechan- isms are already in place to catch up with the Court’s requirements. Also, the potential of soft law instruments, such as not binding recommendations, and the

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complex interplay between international law and EU law are dealt with. Last but not least, the conclusion sums up the challenges for the future.

In global, this book presents an interesting overview of the northern European views towards harmonization of civil procedure, not only in terms of policy and methodology, but also in terms of the results already booked (or the absence thereof). The topics dealt with are very diverse yet relevant, and the contributors are real experts in the field. In short, this book should be considered compulsory reading for anyone who wants to increase his/her insight in the harmonization process of civil procedure, both in the European Union and in the European Economic Area.

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