Preparatory proceedings are considered a key tool for achieving efficient civilproceedings. The claims and factual background of the case are clarified at anearly stage, and the main hearing is focused. Judicial settlement efforts andcourt-connected mediation contribute to early resolution of cases, and areimportant elements of Nordic civil procedure The Nordic countries have used themain hearing model of civil proceedings for some decades, and recent reformshave further enhanced the role of the preparatory stage. Former communistcountries are reforming their earlier piecemeal- format civil proceedings byintroducing and strengthening written and oral preparation, as well as court-connected mediation.
AnnaNylund, Introduction to the Preparatory Stage of CivilProceedings.- Part I PreparatoryProceedings in Nordic Countries: LauraErvo, Swedisch-Finnish Preparatory Proceedings - Filtering and ProcessTechniques.- Anna Nylund, PreparatoryProceedings in Norway - Efficiency by Flexibility and Case Management.- Jakob Juul-Sandberg, Reform andDevelopment of Preparatory Proceedings in the Danish Civil Justice System -Towards (Even) More Efficient Courts.- PartII Preparatory Proceedings in Former Communist Countries: Ales Galic, The Preparatory Stage of Civil Proceedings inSlovenia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia - Halfway There Yet?.- Vigita V brait , Preparatory Stage inthe Baltic States - Similarities and Differences.- AnnaPiszcz, Polish Civil Proceedings - Expanding the Floor for Preparatory Stage.- Adel Köblös, Hungary - Towards moreEfficient Preparatory Proceedings.- PartIII Comparative Outlooks: Lin Adrian, The Role of Court-ConnectedMediation and Judicial Settlement Efforts in the Preparatory Stage.- Laura Ervo, Conclusions.