Strasbourg, 15/12/2006 (Agence Europe) - In Strasbourg on Thursday, the European Parliament endorsed the creation of a new procedure for settling small claims (of up to 2000 euros) in cross-border payment disputes. Adopting a report by Hans-Peter Mayer (EPP-ED, Germany), the MEPs agreed with the Council that the new procedure should only apply to cross-border cases rather than the initial proposal of also applying to small claims within the same Member State. The new EU small claims procedure involves written proceedings. The new regulation requires completion of a special claims form, available in all official EU languages. The new proceedings will not apply to some cases, like ownership claims as a result of marriage. The MEPs want the Commission to prepare an assessment report before 2014 based on information submitted by the Member States, foreseeing a review of the regulation if necessary regardi ng issues like the upper claims limit, legal fees and the time cases take to be settled. The new procedure should come into force in January 2009. Denmark will be allowed to opt out. (bc)