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Scope and Limitations of Litigation Cost Recovery in European Small Claims Procedure

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Anastasia Douka
Lawyer, Ph.D.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37417/rivitsproc/3411

Published 2026-04-27

Keywords

  • european small claims regulation,
  • litigation costs,
  • necessity,
  • proportionality,
  • cost recovery

How to Cite

Douka, A. (2026). Scope and Limitations of Litigation Cost Recovery in European Small Claims Procedure. Revista Ítalo-Española De Derecho Procesal, 1–33. https://doi.org/10.37417/rivitsproc/3411

Copyright (c) 2026 Anastasia Douka

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

This study examines the allocation of costs in cross-border small claims disputes under Regulation 861/2007, focusing on the types of costs incurred and the expenses that are recoverable under the loser-pays principle. It differentiates between cases covered by Article 16 and those subject to national cost rules, highlighting the complexity created by this dual framework. In line with the Regulation’s aim of preventing cross-border litigation costs from exceeding the value of the claim, it proposes ways to improve simplicity and predictability in cost allocation.

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