European Union Law

1
European Union Law

• Research Basics

2
What is the European Union?

• Transnational organization
• Twenty five member states
• Purposes of the EU
• Promote economic/social progress
• Maintain and build on established law
• Promote EU citizenship
• Develop freedom, security and justice

3
EU Treaties

• Form the basis of the EU
• Multiple treaties are in force
• Constitution under consideration

4
Institutional Aspects of EU Law

• Lawmaking Bodies
• Commission
• Parliament
• Council

5
Institutional Aspects of EU Law

• Commission proposes legislation
• Parliament and Council review/amend proposals
• Final version approved by both Parliament and
  Council

6
Institutional Aspects of EU Law

• Secondary Legislation is the statute law of the
  EU
• Regulations/Decisions are self-executing
• Directives need national legislation for
  implementation

7
Institutional Aspects of EU Law

• EU Courts
• European Court of Justice, 1959-.
• Court of First Instance, 1989-.

8
Institutional Aspects of EU Law

• ECJ and CFI sit in chambers
• Both issue unanimous judgments
• Both have Judge Advocates to assist in
  decisionmaking

9
Where to find EU documents

• Treaties-EU treaty series, Official Journal, Part
  C
• Secondary legislation-final versions in Official
  Journal, Part L
• Court Judgments-European Court Reports

10
Online Resources

• Europa website
• CELEX
• EurLex
• LEXIS/WESTLAW
• Primary sources
• Periodical literature
• News sources

11
Points to remember

• No EU equivalent to US Code
• Look for consolidated EU treaty
• Look for national implementing legislation for
  directives
• Legislative drafting process is complicated

12
Stay Current!

• Recent developments require up to date
  information
• Secondary sources and print/online resources
  should reflect current practice