Luxembourg, 07/09/2007 (Agence Europe) - The Court of Justice has amended or instituted several procedures relating to the operation of the Court of First Instance and the Civil Service Tribunal. Since it was set up by Council decision 2004/752/EC, the Civil Service Tribunal has applied mutatis mutandis the rules of the Court of First Instance. From 11 November, it will have its own rules of procedure (regulation of 25 July 2007) published in the Official Journal of the European Union of 29 August. Three texts have been published with a view to improving the transparency of, and the access for the ordinary citizen to, the Court of First Instance. The instructions to the registrar, explaining the mandate and procedures of this office, were published in the Official Journal of 4 September. The same edition of the Official Journal contained the Court's practice directions to parties, with detailed information on technical means of communication, the various stages of a case, applications for particular treatment (suspension, expedited procedure, confidential treatment and others) and applications for legal aid. This latter also features in a new guide and form available on the Court's web site, which aim to make the procedure for applying for legal aid more accessible for those citizens who need it. All these documents can be viewed at: http: //http://www.curia.europa.eu/en/actu/calendriers/index.htm , then click on “news”. (cd)