Shopping in other countries within the internal market has become very popular amongst European customers. However, sometimes there might be a problem with the goods or the delivery. Therefore, the European Union has been trying to facilitate access to justice for consumers in Europe, so that they can effectively enforce their rights.

The European Small Claims Procedure entered into application on 1 January 2009 to resolve cross-border disputes in cases involving €2,000 or less. The judgment is made in the country of residence of the consumer, or in the country of the defending company. It protects consumer’s procedural rights and becomes directly enforceable in the country of the losing party and in any other EU country. However, the procedure is relatively unknown and under used among the customers as well as the judges, even though it can effectively solve small disputes even without the representation by lawyer.

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