Lords support eJustice proposal

European system would deal with consumer complaints in cross-border trade

European countries should give serious consideration to a Europe-wide eJustice system to deal with complaints from consumers involved in cross-border trade, says the House of Lords European Union (EU) Committee.

The committee is backing a Brussels proposal for a small claims procedure with a maximum claim of 2,000 euros (£1,366), accessible in all EU member states, that would use electronic communications to keep costs down.

The peers say there is a case for insisting on a web-based procedure drawing on experience with online litigation in the form of Money Claim Online, an internet service for claimants and defendants managed by the courts in the UK.

But Brussels says some governments are not willing to accept commencement of the procedure by email, and the UK government is unwilling to commit.

The committee says that without sufficient commitment from member states, ‘an online service for the European Small Claims Procedure (ESCP) can only be optional at the present time’.

But it urged: ‘As an alternative procedure it is, however, something which should be given serious consideration especially having regard to the international nature of the proceeding under ESCP.’