Simplification of Debt Collection in the EU

Following the venerable principle that 舠justice delayed is justice denied舡, the European Council has called for 舠further reduction of the intermediate measures which are still required to enable the recognition and enforcement of a decision or judgment舡, and the Commission has also emphasised that the traditional exequatur required to enforce debt collection is an obstacle to the free circulation of judgments, entails unnecessary costs and delays for the parties, and discourages companies and citizens. However, even EU law cannot break the classic division between trial in the Member State of origin and enforcement in the Member State of enforcement. Efficiency of enforcement remains a national matter.