General information
Regulation (EC) 861/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 July 2007 establishing a European Small Claims Procedure seeks to improve and simplify procedures in civil and commercial matters where the value of a claim does not exceed 5000 €.
The Regulation applies between all Member States of the European Union with the exception of Denmark.
The Small Claims procedure operates on the basis of standard forms. It is a written procedure unless an oral hearing is considered necessary by the court.
Oral hearings could be carried out through tele- or videoconference if the equipment is available to the court.
The Regulation also establishes time limits for the parties and for the court in order to speed up litigation.
The Regulation provides for four standard forms.
You do not know whether the European payment order or the European small claims procedure can be used for your claim? Use the wizard available on the Online forms page to help you decide.
The European e-Justice Portal provides information concerning the application of the Regulation and forms which can be filled-in on your computer and printed out.
Please select the relevant country's flag to obtain detailed national information.
Related links
Practice Guide for the Application of the European Small Claims Procedure (2237 Kb)
A Guide for Users to the European Small Claims Procedure (1699 Kb)
ARCHIVED European Judicial ATLAS website (closed on 30 September 2017)
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