The European Commission's embryonic justice policy faces public scepticism across the continent, according to official figures published today at the start of a conference to discuss the creation of a 'European area of justice'. 

A Eurobarometer survey shows a majority in favour of the proposition that judicial systems should be the exclusive responsibility of member states. Citizens in the 28 EU member states were asked: 'Do you agree or disagree that the functioning of a national judicial system is exclusively a matter for member states?'