European Union Institutions and Legal Framework
This content delves into the institutional structure of the European Union, focusing on key bodies like the European Commission, Council, Parliament, and Court of Justice. It explains the evolution of the EU's legal order, its founding principles post-WW2, and the various EU institutions' roles and functions. Additionally, it touches on the historical development of the EU from the Coal and Steel Community to the present-day Union with 28 member states.
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Presentation Transcript
Parliamentary and European Law Making Institutions of the European Union
Objectives Explain the role of the four main European institutions, i.e. the Commission, the Council, the European Parliament and the Court of Justice of the European Union. Explain the judicial and supervisory role of the Court of Justice of the European Union. Explain the role of the European Court of First Instance.
The European Legal Order EU established after WW2 to assist in physical and economic reconstruction. Main aims to promote economic development of member states and improve living standards of Union citizens. Since expanded to include social and environmental policy, monetary and political union. To achieve aims, EU has established its own legal institutions and laws.
European Union Institutions The European Union grew out of the European Coal and Steel Community, founded in 1951 with 6 members: Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, West Germany, France and Italy. Its purpose was to pool the countries coal and steel resources.
European Union Institutions The Coal and Steel Community was later joined by the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community. The European Union was formed in 1993, combining the three Communities with a common foreign policy and co-operation in criminal matters. UK joined in 1973. Now 28 members though the UK may leave (Brexit)
European Union Institutions The Commission main executive body headed by Commissioners (28 of them) who are appointed by the member states subject to approval by the Parliament, for 5 years. Commissioners are independent role is to represent the interests of the EU. Commission - Proposes and drafts EU legislation, negotiates trade agreements and draws up annual budget. Ensures that member states uphold EU law. Re Tachographs: EC Commission v UK (1979)
European Union Institutions The Council main decision-making and legislative body. Represents the interests of individual member states. Most powerful of the institutions. No permanent membership. Adopts Union legislation based on proposals from the Commission and after consulting the Parliament. European Council related institution major policy making body meets at Euro-Summits (Art. 2 of the Single European Act 1986).
European Union Institutions European Parliament has mainly consultative and advisory role Members elected in their own countries (MEPs) every 5 years Parliament exercises a supervisory role over the Commission Can veto the appointment of the Commission and dismiss the whole Commission Reports on the Council 3 times a year Can bring actions against other EU institutions Role of the Parliamentary Ombudsman
European Union Institutions The Court of Justice of the European Union supervises the application of EU Law Sits in Luxembourg 28 judges appointed for a period of 6 years Judges assisted by 8 Advocates General Since 1989 ECJ assisted by European Court of First Instance Constitutional court, provides definitive interpretations of EU law
European Union Institutions The European Court of Justice 2 functions: judicial role and a supervisory role Judicial Role: Hears disputes against member states and cases against European institutions e.g. Re Tachographs: EC Commission v UK (1979) United Kingdom v Council of the European Union (1996)
European Union Institutions The European Court of Justice - Supervisory Role Article 267 Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union any court can refer a question on EU law to the ECJ The referral system ensures that the law is interpreted the same throughout the EU Reference MUST be made if the national court is the final appeal court Bulmer v Bollinger guidelines on when a court in a Member State should refer
European Union Institutions In deciding whether a ruling is necessary, English courts use the Bulmer v Bollinger (1974) guidelines - e.g. not necessary where: ECJ has previously ruled on the same point. Point is reasonably clear and free from doubt (the acte clair doctrine). The facts of the case had not yet been decided. It would not be conclusive of the case.
European Union Institutions Supervisory Role Art.267 TFEU: Customs and Excise Commissioners v APS Samex (1983) R v International Stock Exchange, ex parte Else (1993) Marshall v Southampton and South West Hampshire Area Health Authority (1986) ECJ is not an appeal court it assists national courts, the actual decision remains the task of the national court. ECJ is not to be confused with the European Court of Human Rights, this court is NOT an institution of the EU. Mandatory and discretionary referrals.
European Union Institutions The European Court of First Instance: Established in 1988 Single European Act Art.225 Aim to reduce the workload of the ECJ Limited jurisdiction Deals with mainly internal litigation
Making European Legislation Council, Commission and Parliament all have a role in making EU law All legislation starts with proposal from the Commission Parliament has an increased role but still limited Increasingly, the passing of EU legislation requires the approval of the European Parliament as well as the Council, through the ordinary legislative procedure (previously known as the co- decision process). Ordinary legislative procedure gives the same weight to the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union on a wide range of areas (for example, economic governance, immigration, energy, transport, the environment and consumer protection). The vast majority of European laws are adopted jointly by the European Parliament and the Council.
Conclusion UK membership of EU has had wide-ranging effects particularly regarding sovereignty, while this could in theory be reversed, this is unlikely to occur in practice. Therefore, Assuming continued UK membership, EU law will play an increasingly significant role within the English Legal System. However, what will happen post-Brexit? Research the current position.
Test Questions You should now be able to write a short paragraph in response to each of the following: Explain the emergence of the EU. Explain the role and composition of the different EU institutions.
Useful Website http://europa.eu/european-union/index_en
