General information
Regulation (EU) 2020/1783 on cooperation between the courts of the Member States in the taking of evidence in civil or commercial matters (taking of evidence)(recast) seeks to improve, simplify and accelerate cooperation between courts in the taking of evidence. The Regulation replaced Council Regulation (EC) No 1206/2001 as of 1 July 2022.
The decentralised IT system as an obligatory means of communication to be used for the transmission and receipt of requests, forms and other communication started applying from 1 May 2025 (the first day of the month following the period of three years after the date of entry into force of the implementing act referred to in Article 25 (for further details see Article 35 of Regulation (EU) 2020/1783)).
For more information see:
- the status of Member States deployment of the decentralised IT system see here;
- the User Manuals of the reference implementation software developed by the European Commission can be found here.
Where communication through the decentralised IT system is not possible due to the disruption of that IT system or to the nature of the evidence concerned, or due to exceptional circumstances, the transmission shall be carried out by the swiftest, most appropriate alternative means, taking into account the need to ensure reliability and security. Where there is a disruption of the decentralised IT system, then the European e-Justice Portal provides a user-friendly tool for filling in the forms.
The Regulation applies between all Member States of the European Union with the exception of Denmark. Between Denmark and the other Member States the Hague Convention on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters of 1970 applies.
The Regulation provides for three ways of taking of evidence between Member States: taking of evidence through the requested court, direct taking of evidence by the requesting court and taking of evidence by diplomatic agents or consular officers.
The Requesting Court is the court or other competent authority if notified by the relevant Member State, before which the proceedings are commenced or contemplated. The Requested Court is the competent court of another Member State for the performance of the taking of evidence. The Central Body is responsible for supplying information and seeking solutions to any difficulties which may arise in respect of a request.
The Regulation provides for fourteen forms.
For additional information, please see:
- the Practice Guide for the application of the Taking of Evidence Regulation can be found on this page: EJN's publications;
- information about Member States legislation on taking of evidence and taking of evidence by videoconference.
The European e-Justice Portal provides you with information concerning the application of the Regulation.
Please select the relevant country's flag to obtain detailed national information.
Related links
The Practice Guide for the application of the Taking of Evidence Regulation can be found on this page: EJN's publications;
Information about Member States legislation on taking of evidence and taking of evidence by videoconference.
ARCHIVED Member States notifications under Council Regulation (EC) No 1206/2001