Since 1963, the European Committee on Legal Co-operation (CDCJ) is responsible for the standard-setting activities of the Council of Europe in the field of public and private law. The legal areas within its remit includes: civil law, commercial law, family law, nationality issues, administrative law, Rule of Law questions, justice, and public law. Over time these have changed in importance: some have ceased to be relevant for the Council of Europe, others have been developed whilst others continue.

Moreover, in accordance with its terms of reference, the CDCJ has contributed regularly to the preparation of the Council of Europe Conference of Ministers of Justice in respect of issues within its fields of competence and ensured, as appropriate, the follow-up of any decisions taken by the Committee of Ministers subsequent to these conferences.

The structure and working methods of CDCJ have evolved over the years. Since 2011, they comply with Resolution CM/Res(2011)24 on intergovernmental committees and subordinate bodies, their terms of reference and working methods. Its work is no longer carried out by standing committees but by time-based working groups set up to complete specific tasks.

This webpage presents the most significant and recent committees or groups of experts who have contributed to the CDCJ achievements in the public and private law field.