THE TREATY OF LISBON AND THE STOCKHOLM PROGRAM: THE NEW CHALLENGES OF JUDICIAL COOPERATION IN CIVIL MATTERS

Abstract

The consolidation of a common area of freedom, security and justice has become one of the priorities of the European Union. Within the policies which compose this space, judicial cooperation in civil matters is an area that has not undergone major changes with the Treaty of Lisbon. However, following the line started in Amsterdam, the new regulation of Title V of the Treaty on the Functioning of the Union provides a legal basis to move forward in a judicial cooperation, which is becoming more and more necessary given the increasing internationalization of private relationships. On the other hand, the Stockholm Program establishes the main goals to achieve in relation to the European judicial area for the next five years. The initiatives related to civil matters will require new European legal instruments, which should be adopted using the tools and procedures provided in Lisbon.