European Civil Justice Centre
European civil procedure has become a dynamic field of research, training, and policy. The European Civil Justice Centre (ECJC), based at the Erasmus School of Law in Rotterdam, serves as a hub for collaboration among scholars and stakeholders across Europe and beyond, with the overarching goal of enhancing access to justice. The ECJC builds on extensive projects led by Xandra Kramer, including major initiatives funded by the European Research Council and the Dutch Research Council, and benefits from international academic partnerships, particularly with KU Leuven. The Centre is led by Kramer alongside Stefaan Voet, Anna Nylund, Jos Hoevenaars, and Adriani Dori.
A core focus of European civil justice is safeguarding access to justice—essential for the rule of law, democratic values, and economic life by ensuring legal certainty and effective dispute resolution. This mission aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 16. Over the past 25 years, European civil procedure has developed into a distinct subdiscipline shaped by EU legislative efforts aimed at improving judicial cooperation and cross-border dispute resolution. Effective civil justice systems strengthen the internal market, support business and consumer confidence, reduce transaction costs, and uphold uniform enforcement of EU rights.
The ECJC’s mission is to advance research and training that promote the development of European civil justice and accessible, tailored dispute resolution for citizens and businesses. Key research themes include collective actions and public interest litigation, legal aid and litigation funding, digitalisation and AI in justice systems, ADR and ODR, and anti-SLAPP measures. The Centre emphasizes capacity-building for joint and policy-oriented research, societal outreach, and opportunities for early-career scholars.