EU clarifies negotiating position on choice of law, jurisdiction and enforcement of judgments post-Brexit

Yesterday (29 June) the European Commission published its Position Paper on Judicial Cooperation in Civil and Commercial Matters which outlines its position on the extent to which current EU rules on choice of law, jurisdiction and enforcement of judgments should continue to apply as between the UK and the EU27 post-Brexit. In broad summary, the key points are that:

• Choices of law and jurisdiction in contracts entered into before the withdrawal date should continue to be given effect in accordance with current rules.
• Current provisions on jurisdiction (ie those which apply in the absence, or regardless, of contractual choice) should continue to apply to all proceedings instituted before the withdrawal date.
• Current provisions on the law applicable to contractual and non-contractual obligations (ie those which apply in the absence, or regardless, of contractual choice) should continue to apply to contracts concluded before the withdrawal date, and (regarding non-contractual liability) to events which occurred before the withdrawal date.
• Current provisions on recognition and enforcement of judgments should continue to govern all judicial decisions given before the withdrawal date.

For more information see this post on our Brexit Notes blog.