european union law research basics. what is the european union? transnational organization twenty...

European Union Law

Research Basics

What is the European Union?

Transnational organizationTwenty five member statesPurposes of the EU

– Promote economic/social progress– Maintain and build on established law– Promote EU citizenship– Develop freedom, security and justice

EU Treaties

Form the basis of the EUMultiple treaties are in forceConstitution under consideration

Institutional Aspects of EU Law

Lawmaking Bodies– Commission– Parliament – Council

Institutional Aspects of EU Law

Commission proposes legislationParliament and Council

review/amend proposalsFinal version approved by both

Parliament and Council

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

Institutional Aspects of EU Law

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

Institutional Aspects of EU Law

ECJ and CFI sit in chambersBoth issue unanimous judgmentsBoth have Judge Advocates to

assist in decisionmaking

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

Online Resources

Europa website– CELEX– EurLex

LEXIS/WESTLAW– Primary sources– Periodical literature– News sources

Points to remember

No EU equivalent to US CodeLook for consolidated EU treatyLook for national implementing

legislation for directivesLegislative drafting process is

complicated

Stay Current!

Recent developments require up to date information

Secondary sources and print/online resources should reflect current practice