The European Union has undergone a process of harmonization of Private Law and Private International Law during the last decades. This has led to an increase in the number of transnational private disputes in Europe. Common rules on jurisdiction in civil and commercial matters have been developed to cope with this situation, as well as rules on recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. The system is now affected by the development of the notion of “access to justice” and the inclusion within this term of arbitration and mediation. The course will approach the process of harmonization of Private law and Private International Law in the EU and some of the most relevant choice of law EU instruments will be approached. At the same time the basic rules on jurisdiction and enforcement in civil and commercial matters will be studied as well as their interaction with ADR devices, especially with mediation.