Brussels, 09/07/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 16 July, on the sidelines of the informal Justice Council in Brussels, the Belgian Presidency will launch a European e-justice portal, the aim of which is to make it easier for citizens and businesses across Europe to access justice. Belgian Justice Minister Stefaan De Clerck will be accompanied by his Swedish and Spanish colleagues and Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding at the launch. The electronic portal, of some 12,000 pages translated into all the languages of the EU, will contain updated information on the rights of the accused and of victims, and on available recourse to justice in other member states in the event of cross-border disputes. So that rights can be exercised in practice, the portal will also provide advice on how to find the competent court in the country concerned. In addition, it will allow certain procedures, such as small debt recovery, to be carried out online, something that is already provided for in existing Community instruments. With this new instrument, legal professionals, too, will be able to consult registers managed by the judicial authorities of the member states. E-justice will also provide information on legal training, videoconferencing as a way of simplifying justice and also, ultimately, links to databases such as solvency and property registers. The launch of the first version of the portal is an important step on the way to developing European online justice. Computerisation of justice can only reduce costs, delays, and difficulties over distances and language in cross-border cases. Every year, almost 10 million citizens are involved in cross-border judicial procedures. (B.C./transl.rt)