[1] It allows service of judicial documents from one member state to another without recourse to consular and diplomatic channels.

This regulation enables a somewhat simplified route by establishing transmitting and receiving agencies in each of the member states.

The member states of the European Union originally conclude a convention amongst themselves on the service of documents, which was signed on 26 May 1997 but never entered into force as it was ratified only by Spain.

[7] On 9 February 2006, the European Court of Justice handed down a ruling in the case of Plumex v Young Sports NV referred to it by the Hof van Cassatie in Belgium.

Plumex (a Portuguese company) had been served with Belgian court proceedings under the regulation in two methods, once through the receiving agencies in Portugal, and once by post.