Amendments to the Civil Procedure Act

Amendments to the Civil Procedure Act

The Civil Procedure Act (CPA) is the fundamental procedural law in civil and commercial disputes in Croatia. Companies often face commercial disputes, labor disputes, administrative, enforcement, and insolvency procedures in which the CPA is applied directly or indirectly.

An efficient and predictable civil procedure is crucial for a stable business environment, protection of contractual relations, and investment promotion. The provisions of the CPA determine the conduct of procedures, deadlines, and rules of evidence, thereby directly affecting legal certainty and confidence in the system. The lengthiness of court procedures, abuse of procedural rights, and complexity of judicial procedures can have serious consequences for the financial stability and operational business of entities.

The quality of judicial conduct strongly shapes the investment climate, as investors make decisions based on legal certainty and the duration of court procedures. Effective legal protection increases confidence and promotes growth. The CPA, especially in commercial and labor disputes, not only regulates the resolution of disputes but also promotes responsible business conduct. 

With this opinion, AmCham presents recommendations for ensuring the efficiency of civil procedures through procedural concentration, maintaining the continuity of hearings, and reducing unnecessary delays. 

The goal is to conclude procedures in a reasonably short time while ensuring the discipline of judges, lawyers, parties to the procedure, and witnesses, as well as greater utilization of alternative dispute resolution. AmCham's proposals are fully based on the guidelines of the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ).