Preparatory Committee: On goal to complete UPC preparations by Summer 2016

As well as recently confirming the position on Court fees and recoverable costs, the UPC Preparatory Committee has also confirmed that the necessary preparatory work for the UPC to come into existence is on track to be completed this Summer.  In particular, its report of its most recent meeting covers the following issues:

• Several Member States hope to ratify during 2016 (we recently reported on the position in Germany and the UK) and it now appears likely that the UPC will begin to operate with ‘well over’ the necessary number of 13 ratifying Member States.

• Judicial salary levels were approved but the actual process of judicial recruitment has been postponed for a short period, and is expected to be launched later in Spring 2016. 

• The Rules of the Arbitration and Mediation Centre were discussed and, following publication, are expected to be agreed at the next meeting in April.  The Preparatory Committee notes that some further work may be necessary to alight the rules with other rules.  

• The Protocol on Privileges and Immunities was approved; this is necessary for a number of Member States to conclude their ratification processes. 

• IT – work on the case management system is ‘on track’, recognising that work on this will continue right up until the Court opens for business.