Brussels, 07/12.2007 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 7 December, the Portuguese Presidency of the EU confirmed that agreement had been reached in first reading with the European Parliament over the Rome I regulation to improve the recognition and enforcement in the member states of rulings on civil and commercial cases. This green light to the European Commission's 2005 proposal was achieved thanks to the unanimous adoption at the end of November 2007 of a report by Cristian Dumitrescu (PES, Romania). Once adopted, the legislation will provide common EU rules on the jurisdiction applicable in cross-border disputes. Generally, two individuals agreeing on a contract are free to choose which legal system will apply in the event of a dispute. If a choice is not made, then the regulation foresees, in order to prevent 'forum-shopping' (shopping around for the most advantageous system) that EU rules will decide on the applicable legal system. In the event of disputes, the applicable law would generally be the one of the country where the consumer normally resides. (B.C.)