The foundation of the European Law Institute, according to Viviane Reding, the European Union’s Justice Commissioner has the potential to bring a significant added value to European legal research, improving the implementation of EU law and helping to put it to work for citizens and businesses.

The Institute, which is an independent non-profit organisation, will help improve legal consistency in Europe by providing practical advice to policymakers and authorities. In addition to strengthening European legal research, the Commission intends to step up the training of legal practitioners in using and applying EU law in practice.

It will also help analyse the difficulties faced by legal professionals, identify possible solutions to help improve the application of EU law, and develop suggestions for reforms of EU legislation in all areas and being a forum for exchange and discussion for lawyers, academics and professionals.

In particular, the European Law Institute will evaluate and stimulate the development of EU law, legal policy, and practice; make proposals for the further development of the body of EU law and for the enhancement of EU law implementation by the Member States; identify and analyse legal developments in areas within the competence of Member States that are relevant at the EU level; study EU approaches regarding international law and enhance the role EU law could play globally, for instance in drafting international instruments or model rules; conduct and facilitate pan-European research, such as drafting, evaluating and improving principles and rules that are common to the European legal systems; provide a forum for jurists – academics, judges, lawyers and other legal professionals – from different legal traditions to hold discussions.

Its seat will be in Vienna, Austria, and the Institute’s Council may appoint fellows and observers – either on its own initiative or following an application submitted by candidates.