European Law Institute – Enhancing Judicial Cooperation

2026-07-22

The European Law Institute (ELI) is a non-profit, independent organisation committed to the development of high-quality European legal standards. Founded in 2011 and rooted in a diverse membership of over 1,700 legal professionals and 165 institutions from more than 64 countries, ELI serves as a unique platform for comparative legal research and pan-European collaboration. Its mission is to initiate, conduct, and facilitate research that informs and improves European legal frameworks, offering practical guidance and evidence-based recommendations that reflect both legal excellence and societal needs. ELI’s activities respond directly to pressing challenges in EU law and policy, supporting the Union’s goals of enhancing legal certainty, access to justice, and mutual trust across Member States. Through its interdisciplinary and inclusive approach, ELI brings together judges, academics, legal practitioners, and policy-makers to address the law not only as it is, but as it ought to be. Its projects, model laws, and recommendations have contributed to judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters, the protection of fundamental rights, digital transformation, sustainability, and the simplification of cross-border legal processes. Aligned with the general interest of the European Union, ELI’s work reinforces the coherence and effectiveness of EU law while maintaining the highest standards including of human rights, gender equality, and environmental protection. Between 2026–2028, ELI will focus on advancing judicial cooperation, promoting mutual learning, strengthening partnerships with EU institutions, and expanding its pluralistic network. At its core, ELI seeks to simplify and harmonise the legal landscape, thereby fostering a more predictable and efficient environment in which business can flourish and justice can be delivered more equitably and sustainably throughout Europe.

Belgium

2026-02-15