National information and online forms concerning Directive 2003/8/EC.
Council Directive 2002/8/EC of 27 January 2003 to improve access to justice in cross-border disputes by establishing minimum common rules relating to legal aid for such disputes seeks to promote the application of legal aid in cross-border disputes for persons who lack sufficient resources where aid is necessary to secure effective access to justice.
The Directive applies between all Member States of the European Union with the exception of Denmark. Between Denmark and certain Member States the European Agreement on the Transmission of Applications for Legal Aid of 1977 applies.
Transmitting authorities are competent to send applications. Receiving authorities are competent to receive applications.
The directive provides for two standard forms, one for legal aid applications and one for the transmission of legal aid applications.
For additional information, please go to our page on Legal aid.
You can complete these forms online by clicking one of the links below. If you have already started a form and saved a draft, you can upload it using the "Load draft" button.
As of 1 January 2021, the United Kingdom is no longer an EU Member State. However, in the field of civil justice, pending procedures and proceedings initiated before the end of the transition period will continue under EU law. Until the end of 2022, the United Kingdom can continue to be selected in online (dynamic) forms for the purpose of these proceedings and procedures. An exception to this rule are the Public documents forms, in which the UK should not be selected.
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Last update : 17/11/2021