EU LAW

1
EU LAW

• WEEK 2
• INSTITUTIONS OF THE EU

2
INSTITUTIONS

• Institutions of the EU

Principal Institutions
Advisory Institutions

• European Parliament
• Councils
• European Council
• Council of The EU (Council of Ministers)
• 3. The Commission
• 4. The European Court of Justice Court of First
  Instance

• The Court of Auditors
• The Economic and Social Committee
• The Committee of Regions
• European Investment Bank

3
European Council

• Started in 1974
• Meetings known as Summits
• Meetings held twice a year and head of states or
  governments represented
• Defines the general political guidelines

4
The Council of the EU

• Composition
• Main legislative organ
• Represents the interests of MS
• Made up of ministers of MS depending on the
  subject under discussion
• Presidency rotates among MS

5
Council of the EU

• Duties and Powers
• Coordination of general economic policies
• Power to take decisions
• Delegate tasks to the Commission
• Legislative powers

6
Council of the EU

• Voting
• 3 systems
• Simple Unless specified otherwise
• Unanimity In a few very important areas
• Qualified Majority Voting Almost the norm

7
Council of the EU

• COREPER Committee of Permanent Representatives
• Carry out the daily workings of Council
• Decides on the Agenda

8
European Parliament

• Composition
• Until 1986 it was known as the Assembly
• Since 1979 MEP are elected by direct universal
  suffrage
• Represents the citizens of Europe
• MEP sit in cross national-political groupings.

9
European Parliament

• Powers of the Parliament
• Political Control over the Commission
• Legislative Power (not always binding)
• Budgetary Powers

10
Commission

• Composition
• Bureaucracy of the Community
• Consist of 17 Commissioners
• Nominated by the common accord of MS and approved
  by the Parliament
• Divided into directorates-generals

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Commission

• Powers and Duties
• Prepares proposals for legislation Right of
  Initiative
• Coordinator of Community policy
• Conclude agreements with third countries
• Management of Funds

12
Commission

• Guardian of the Treaties
• Administrative control of MS
• Enforcement roles in relation to state aid and
  anti-competitive activities
• Advise to national courts in the interpretations
  of EU competition law

13
European Court of Justice-ECJ

• Achievements
• Ensures the effective application of EU law
• Important role on the development of a
  constitution of EU
• Developed package of fundamental rights

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European Court of Justice

• Developed the doctrine of direct effect and
  supremacy of EU law
• Composition
• Formed by 25 judges and 25 advocates general
• Each MS nominates one judge
• Advocates general give opinion on the cases

15
Court of First Instance-CFI

• Established in 1988
• 25 judges no advocates general
• Duty is to assist the ECJ