Justice & Fundamental Rights
The protection of justice and fundamental rights are at the very essence of a modern state governed under the rule of law and a precondition for economic and social growth. Both represent the values that inspired the establishment of the European Communities, today the European Union. No progress can be achieved without legal certainty, which requires the existence of legal instruments that recognise and protect fundamental rights and the necessary mechanisms to enforce such rights. At level of the European Union, the creation of a European Space of Justice will contribute to making citizens’ rights a reality. This will be realised by enhancing judicial cooperation, by setting a common reference framework for contract law, by establishing measures to enhance access to justice also at EU level and by tackling discrimination.
Milieu provides legal and policy advice to improve regulatory frameworks and institutional set ups and to implement public policies. Milieu services include:
- Comparative studies in EU Member States relative to access to justice
- Research studies for the Fundamental Rights Agency
- Assessments of the transposition and implementation of EU obligations
Key projects in the area of Justice and Fundamental rights include, among others:
Comparative study on access to justice in gender equality and anti-discrimination law, DG Justice, 2010-2011: Milieu’s team analysed systems and measures aimed at providing access to justice in Member States and EEA countries in cases of discrimination on grounds of gender, race or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age and sexual orientation. More info...
Framework contract for the provision of external expertise to the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament in the field of promotion of fundamental rights, citizenship and combating discrimination, 2011 onwards: Milieu has been selected to provide advice and technical knowledge on an “ad hoc” basis to the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs as a basis of its legislative proposals.
Provision of data collection and research services on fundamental right issues in Ireland and Belgium, Fundamental Rights Agency, 2011 onwards: Milieu is responsible for the preparation of bulletins providing information on key developments regarding fundamental rights/gender equality issues as well as legal thematic studies on the legal framework in the area of fundamental rights/gender equality. More info …
Legal study on assessment of access to justice in civil cases in the European Union, Fundamental Rights Agency, 2009: Under this study Milieu reviewed the degree to which ‘access to justice’ is available for individuals enforcing rights derived from Community law through the national courts in Estonia and Portugal.
Inventory of EU Member States’ measures on access to justice in environmental matters, DG Environment, 2006-2007: Milieu analysed the implementation by Member States of Article (3) of the Aarhus Convention on access to justice.
