Since 2007, the EU has had a procedure to resolve small civil and commercial disputes in a hassle-free way: the European Small Claims Procedure, which the European Commission is making even simpler, cheaper and more relevant for consumers and businesses.

A Commission report on the European Small Claims Procedure, has found that the upper limit of €2000 for filing a claim excludes too many low-value disputes, particularly disputes involving small- and medium-sized enterprises. Some Member States, including the United Kingdom (that already has an upper limit of £10,000.00), have special procedures to deal with small claims, available for both domestic and international disputes. But that is not true of all Member States and even where a claimant successfully obtains judgment he or she may be faced with additional procedures if that judgment has to be enforced in another Member State.