Article 61 Amsterdam Treaty has conferred upon the European Union the power to legislate on "judicial cooperation in civil matters". That was when private international law and the rules on jurisdiction and enforcement have become issues of European law.

European private international law - a European legal discipline

• There is one European Community of private international law
• Research, teaching, and the legal practice need the European point of reference

European private international law - a "European legal public"

• Communication and opinion exchange call for a European audience
• We must all know what is going on throughout the European Union
• A European system of private international law information is needed

European private international law - Join the European research community