What is the Lugano Convention?

The Lugano Convention 2007 is an international treaty negotiated by the EU on behalf of its member states (and by Denmark separately because it has an opt-out) with Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. It attempts to clarify which national courts have jurisdiction in cross-border civil and commercial disputes and ensure that judgments taken in such disputes can be enforced across borders. The UK has applied to accede to the convention as an independent member now that it has left the EU. This would require the agreement of all signatories, but the EU has recommended that member states to say no to the UK’s accession.