On 12 November 2020, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) held online the Workshop on ‘European Small Claims Procedure: A tool for resolving low-value disputes’. The workshop was held by Dr. Marco Giacalone, PhD student Sajedeh Salehi and Ms. Margarita Synanidi, as the representative of the European Consumer Centre (ECC) of Belgium.

The event started with an introduction by Sajedeh Salehi who illustrated the legislative framework. In particular, Dr. Sajedeh Salehi explained the European Small Claims Procedure Regulation (EC) No 861/2007 (as amended by Regulation (EU) 2015/2421), its scope, jurisdiction, the use of Forms A,B,C, and D within the process, definition of the judgement, and the enforcement procedures. Additionally, it was introduced the SCAN Project, its main purposes, the relevant activities, and the results obtained to the audience.
Then, Ms. Margarita Synanidi gave her presentation that was particularly focused on the use of the ESCP by consumers in Belgium. During the speech, she provided some statistical data regarding the number of cases in which the ESCP was used by the Belgian consumers, and discussed the significant role played by the European consumer centres in assisting the citizens to use the procedure for resolving their low-threshold disputes with traders. Additionally, she explained the competent courts, procedural costs, and the existing issues and challenges that consumers face in using the ESCP and the essential measures to be taken in order to deal with such obstacles.
In the final part of the online workshop, a simulation of the procedure was made. The participants filled in the forms and asked questions to the speakers.

(by Federica Pinto)

Click on Dissemination Workshop  to download the Programme

Utilities to download:

PhD student – Sajedeh Salehi “European Small Claims Procedure mirrored by Scan Project“