Current Trends in Preparatory Proceedings

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-x

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2. Introduction to the Preparatory Stage of Civil Proceedings

   • Anna Nylund

   Pages 1-15

3. Preparatory Proceedings in Nordic Countries

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 17-17

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   2. Swedish-Finnish Preparatory Proceedings: Filtering and Process Techniques

      • Laura Ervo

      Pages 19-56

   3. Preparatory Proceedings in Norway: Efficiency by Flexibility and Case Management

      • Anna Nylund

      Pages 57-79

   4. Reform and Development of Preparatory Proceedings in the Danish Civil Justice System: Towards (Even) More Efficient Courts

      • Jakob Juul-Sandberg

      Pages 81-107

4. Preparatory Proceedings in Former Communist Countries

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 109-109

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   2. The Preparatory Stage of Civil Proceedings in Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia: Halfway There Yet?

      • Aleš Galič

      Pages 111-140

   3. Preparatory Stage in the Baltic States: Similarities and Differences

      • Vigita Vėbraitė

      Pages 141-159

   4. Polish Civil Proceedings: Expanding the Floor for Preparatory Stage

      • Anna Piszcz

      Pages 161-183

   5. Hungary: Towards More Efficient Preparatory Proceedings

      • Adél Köblös

      Pages 185-205

5. Comparative Outlooks

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 207-207

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   2. The Role of Court-Connected Mediation and Judicial Settlement Efforts in the Preparatory Stage

      • Lin Adrian

      Pages 209-231

   3. Conclusions

      • Laura Ervo

      Pages 233-245

6. Back Matter

   Pages 247-250

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This book explores the regulations, goals and functioning of preparatory proceedings in four Nordic countries and eight former communist countries. The contributions discuss whether, and how the regulation and practice of preparatory proceedings enhance swift civil justice that is both inexpensive and has quality outcomes. A central question is whether the main hearing model of civil justice, in which preclusion of new evidence and claims occur at the end of the preparatory stage, results in greater efficiency, or whether the functioning of civil proceedings largely depends on other factors. It also examines regulation and use of court-connected mediation and judicial settlement efforts. This book offers comparative insights into the functioning of the preparatory civil proceedings in the countries covered.

Preparatory proceedings are considered a key tool for achieving efficient civil proceedings. The claims and factual background of the case are clarified at an early stage, and the main hearing is focused. Judicial settlement efforts and court-connected mediation contribute to early resolution of cases, and are important elements of Nordic civil procedure The Nordic countries have used the main hearing model of civil proceedings for some decades, and recent reforms have further enhanced the role of the preparatory stage. Former communist countries are reforming their earlier piecemeal- format civil proceedings by introducing and strengthening written and oral preparation, as well as court-connected mediation.

• Civil litigation
• Comparative studies
• East-European Countries
• Nordic countries
• Pre-trial
• Preparatory proceedings
• Baltic States
• Preparatory stage
• Civil proceedings

• School of Law,Psychology and Social Work, University of Örebro, Örebro, Sweden

  Laura Ervo

• Faculty of Law, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway

  Anna Nylund

Laura Ervo is Professor at the School of Law, Psychology and Social Work at the University of Örebro, Sweden.

Anna Nylund is Professor at the Faculty of Law at the University of Tromsø, Norway.

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