8.3 Recommendation No. R (81) 7

(Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 14 May 1981 at its 68th Session)

The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of Article 15.b of the Statute of the Council of Europe,

Considering that the rights of access to justice and to a fair hearing as guaranteed under Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights, is an essential feature of any democratic society;

Considering that court procedure is often so complex, time-consuming and costly that private individuals, especially those in an economically or socially weak position, encounter serious difficulties in the exercise of their rights in member states;

Bearing in mind that an effective system of legal aid and legal advice, as provided for under Resolution (78) 8 of the Comm ittee of Ministers, may greatly contribute to the elimination of such obstacles;

Considering that it is nevertheless desirable also to take all necessary measures in order to simplify the procedure in all appropriate cases with a view to facilitating access to justice of the individual whilst ensuring at the same time that justice is do-ne;

Considering that. with a view to facilitating access to justice, it is desirable to simplify documents used in such procedures,

Recommends the governments of member states to take or reinforce, as the case may be, all measures which they consider necessary with a view to the progressive implementation of the principles set out in the appendix to this recommendation.