GROTIUS - Legal exchange programme
The Council of Ministers of the European Union has adopted a programme of incentives and exchanges for legal practitioners in the European Union, to be known as the GROTIUS programme. The programme, which will run between 1996 and the year 2000 aims to foster mutual understanding and knowledge of Member States' legal and judicial systems and to facilitate judicial cooperation between Member States. Activities which will be supported by the GROTIUS programme will include training, exchanges and work experience, organization of meetings, studies and research, and the distribution of information. GROTIUS will have a budget of ECU 8.8 million for the period. Legal practitioners who are eligible to participate in activities supported by the GROTIUS programme include judges, prosecutors, advocates and solicitors, as well as academic and scientific personnel, ministry officials, criminal investigation officers, court officers, bailiffs, court interpreters and other professionals associated with the judiciary. Activities must be of demonstrable European interest and involve more than one Member State in order to receive support.