Diana Wallis MEP 'delighted' as her 'Rome II' report passes final Parliamentary hurdle (Diana Wallis MEP)

Diana Wallis MEP <info@dianawallismep.org.uk>

Diana Wallis MEP 'delighted' as her 'Rome II' report passes final Parliamentary hurdle

January 18, 2007 2:53 PM

The European Parliament adopted with an overwhelming majority today Thursday 18 January Diana Wallis MEP's report on the so-called 'Rome II' proposed Regulation to deal with the law applicable to non-contractual obligations.

Rome II seeks to reduce obstacles to cross border trade and movement of persons resulting from differing rules on conflict of laws between EU member state in cases relating to non-contractual obligations in civil and commercial matters (for example, cross-border disputes arising from incidents such as negligence, defamation; where there is no contract between the parties).

Diana Wallis, who is the Liberal Group's Spokesperson on the Committee, said:

"I am delighted that the European Parliament has decided again with such an overwhelming majority to underline its for the original support first reading position, again putting back in the Articles relating to defamation and road traffic accidents which had been excluded in the Member States Common Position in Council.

"Rome II will allow us to know where we are within the legal diversity that is modern Europe, we at least need an agreed set of coherent rules; a set of rules that we can all apply to determine whose national law is to be used to sort out any given set of facts thrown up in front of our courts as a result of the increasingly mobile and cross border lives which our citizens live..

"We may not have reached the end of the story of Rome II; by again passing these amendments there will almost certainly have to be a conciliation process to iron out the final difficulties between the European law-making institutions. Clearly, the European Parliament must hold its nerve and with such overwhelming support today I am confident that we can take the report to a good conclusion which will deliver better civil justice to Europe's citizens".

Notes:

The Rome II report has been adopted in the full plenary session in Strasbourg on 17 January 2007.

Commission proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council on the Law Applicable to Non-Contractual Obligations ("Rome II").

COM (2003) 427 final. The Co-decision procedure gives the European Parliament equal legislative power with the Council of Ministers. There will be two readings in Committee and plenary session, followed - if necessary - by Conciliation between the two Houses, before the Regulation can become law.

www.dianawallismep.org.uk/rome2