The aim of this course is to familiarize students with the general principles of international and European civil procedure. First, analyses procedural rules coming from the European Union law, as well as the influence of the European Convention on Human Rights on civil procedure. In addition, the course focuses on the rules of procedure originating from international and intergovernmental organizations (such as the Hague Conference on Private International Law).
About the course
Content
- Introduction: The internationalization and Europeanisation of the law of civil procedure
- Solving international & EU cross-border disputes through the courts
- Out-of-court dispute resolution: arbitration, mediation & consumer ADR
- Service of documents V. Taking of evidence
- The EU unified procedures
- Digitisation of EU civil procedural law
- Collective proceedings
- Access to courts, costs & funding
- Strategic litigation
- The Influence of the case law of the CJEU on national procedural law
Learning outcomes
- To have a good knowledge of the applicable treaties and legislation in the field of international and European civil procedure, including to the relevant case law of the European Court of Human Rights and the Court of Justice of the European Union.
- To reflect critically on issues that arise in this field, taking into account the ever-advancing legal rules and case law.
- To recognize and analyze problems that arise in the application of rules of civil procedure in a cross-border context
- To build a legal reasoning with respect to a procedural issue
- To solve specific cases in which various legal questions arise.
- To apply (evolving) legal rules in new, concrete and complex situations.
- To defend own solutions orally and in writing
Teaching methods
Group work, Lecture, Independent work
Extra information on the teaching methods:
Guided self-study, Lecture, lecture: plenary exercises, short presentation by students.
Assessment
Assessment moments: end-of-term assessment
Examination methods in case of end-of-term assessment during the first examination period: Oral assessment
Examination methods in case of end-of-term assessment during the resit examination period: Oral assessment
Facilities for Working Students:
Possibility of exemption from attendance with substitute assignment after consultation with the lecturer Possibility of oral examination with written preparation at another time within the academic year. Possibility of feedback by appointment during and after office hours. participate in all evaluations, the final score cannot be deliberated. Please also note that there is no second evaluation possible for the oral exam.
Lecturers
Vandenbussche, Wannes: lecturer-in-charge
Course dates
This course takes place in the second semester of academic year 2025-2026:
- Educational activities: February 9 to May 16, 2026
- Catch-up activities: May 18 to May 23, 2026
- Easter Recess: April 6 to April 18, 2026
- Examination period: May 26 to July 4, 2026
- Resit Examination period: August 17 to September 12, 2026
There will be one online lecture per week from February 9, 2026, to May 16, 2026. This will take place on Tuesdays from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm CET (to be confirmed). Lectures will be recorded.
How to apply?
Entry requirements: Good knowledge of the structure, core concepts and techniques of the law of civil procedure and private international law.
How to apply
- Check whether you meet the entry requirements listed above. You cannot apply if you don’t meet the entry requirements.
- Check with your home faculty or study programme to confirm whether this course can be included in your curriculum, so the ECTS credits will be recognized. If you are unsure who to contact, reach out to your home university’s ENLIGHT office.
- Apply by completing the Ghent University form by December 19, 2025. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Register at Ghent university. Registration instructions will follow after application.
Information per university
- University of the Basque Country:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - University of Bern:
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This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Comenius University Bratislava:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - University of Galway:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Ghent University:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - University of Groningen:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - University of Göttingen:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - University of Tartu:
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Contact
For information regarding the procedure to take part in this course:
For information regarding the course content: