The Proposed New Rule of Special Jurisdiction Regarding Rights in Rem in Moveable Property: A Good Option for a Reformed Brussels I Regulation?

1. Introduction. – 2. Setting the context: common features of the rules of special jurisdiction. – 3. The scope of application of the proposed rule. – 3.1. «Rights in rem and possession». – 3.2. «Moveable property». – 4. The connecting factor: the place where the assets are located. – 4.1. The elusive localization of certain particular items of property. – 4.2. The relevant moment for determining the situs of the assets. – 5. Assessing the pros and cons of the proposed new rule. – 5.1. Rules of special jurisdiction should in principle be few and orderly organized. – 5.2. The proposed new rule, while covering a limited range of claims, would reflect relatively weak considerations of policy. – 5.3. The existing rules already provide reasonable opportunities of accessing the justice as regards rights in rem or possession in moveable property. – 5.4. The practical operation of the proposed rule may in some instances give rise to serious difficulties. – 5.5. Some of the advantages that might ensue from the introduction of the proposed rule might be achieved otherwise. – 6. Concluding remarks.