Friday 22 January 2016

Updated European Legislation on small claims to come

At the end of last year a regulation updating both the European Small Claims Procedure and the European Order for Payment Procedure was enacted: see link.

As the key amendment the threshold for small claims will be lifted from 2.000 EUR to 5.000 EUR. This remains below the initially suggested 10.000 EUR, however might still benefit SMEs and obviously an increased number of cross-boarder consumer complaints. In addition, possibilities of oral hearing and taking of evidence were enhanced. 

The changes are to be rendered effective by July 2017.