Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments

1. The Republic of Ireland acceded to the EEC Conventions on civil jurisdiction and judgments with effect from 1 June 1988. The Conventions are implemented in Ireland by the Jurisdiction of Courts and Enforcement of Judgments (European Communities) Act 1988.

2. A (“Parallel”) Convention on Jurisdiction and the Enforcement of Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters, designed to extend the EEC Conventions (with minor modifications) to the EFTA countries, was opened for signature by the EEC Member States and the EFTA countries at Lugano on 16 September 1988. The United Kingdom has signed the Final Act of the Lugano conference, which records the establishment of the text of the Convention and the associated Protocols and Declarations, but has not yet signed the Lugano Convention itself. The Convention will enter into force after ratification by one EEC Member State and one EFTA country.

3. The European Court has given another two judgments on the interpretation of the 1968 Convention: Case 189/87: Kalfelis v. Schröder, Münchmeyer, Hengst & Co., 27 September 1988, The Times, 5 October 1988, on Arts. 5(3) and 16(1); and Case 158/87: Scherrens v. Maenhout, 6 July 1988, The Times, 5 September 1988, on Art. 16(1).