16/02/2021 (Agence Europe) – The European Commission launched on Tuesday 16 February a public consultation on the digitisation of cross-border civil, commercial and criminal proceedings in the EU. In its communication of December 2020 (see EUROPE 12614/12), the Commission indicated its intention to “make digital the default option in cross-border judicial cooperation”. It has therefore announced, for the end of 2021, a legislative proposal which could require Member States to use digital channels by default for cross-border communications and data exchanges between competent national authorities and require Member States to accept electronic communications for cross-border procedures involving citizens and businesses, without excluding the use of paper. Interested parties have until 8 May to comment on this initiative at: http://bit.ly/3qrfUoa (MF)