Decisions of the European Court

The EU Treaties are directly applicable in every Member State. Accession to the Community limits the power of national governments and affects national sovereignty – the power to govern. The European Union law has supremacy over, that is, overrides national law.

There are five types of legal acts the European Union uses:

• Treaties – directly applicable.

• Regulations – have general applications and are binding in their entirety on all Member States and have direct effect, meaning they automatically become law in Member States.

• Directives – are binding on Member States as to their result but do not bind individuals until they have been transposed into national law (implemented).

• Decisions of the European Court – are binding on those to whom they are addressed.

• Recommendations and opinions – have no binding force but may be persuasive, that is, have influence.

II. COMPREHENSION

1. Answer the following questions using the information from the text:

1. Why is the EU legal system thought to be unique?

2. Why is the EU law regarded as the new legal order?

3. How did the EU law develop?

4. What are the sources of the EU law?

5. What types of legal documents are used by the European Union?

2. Are the following statements true or false? Find reasons for your