European Parliament votes on the 'biggest piece of legislation in the field of civil and commercial justice for years'

4.44.25pm GMT Thu 23rd Mar 2006

The European Parliament expected to pass easily the so-called Lehne report on Contract Law today Thursday 23rd March.

UK Liberal Democrat MEP, Diana Wallis, is the draftsperson for the Internal Market and Consumer Protection committee for the opinion on the report (full title: 'European Contract Law and the revision of the acquis: the way forward').

Ms. Wallis said:

"This is the biggest piece of legislation in the field of civil and commercial justice for years. Done correctly, it could achieve an enormous step forward for the EU in better law-making.

"The report will underline the Parliament's intention to be fully involved in the process of putting together a coherent body of contract law throughout the EU.

"This initiative is a long going project aiming at making European contract law more coherent. The Commission is thinking of a 'soft law' instrument: a common frame of reference, also described as a toolbox which will contain clear definitions for several sectoral instruments. The project finds its genesis in consumer law. The creation of the Common Framework of Reference will go hand in hand with the review of the EU consumer protection legislation."