This book explores the regulations, goals and functioning of preparatory proceedings in four Nordic countries and eight former communist countries. The contributions discuss whether, and how the regulation and practice of preparatory proceedings enhance swift civil justice that is both inexpensive and has quality outcomes. A central question is whether the main hearing model of civil justice, in which preclusion of new evidence and claims occur at the end of the preparatory stage, results in greater efficiency, or whether the functioning of civil proceedings largely depends on other factors. It also examines regulation and use of court-connected mediation and judicial settlement efforts. This book offers comparative insights into the functioning of the preparatory civil proceedings in the countries covered.

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 SystemTowards (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 Vebraite, 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.