L2: Judicial Interference Flashcards
Court of Justice of the EU
Judicial Organ
What is the function of the CJEU
Upholding the rule of law
What does the CJEU review?
Legality of acts, omissions of member states, omissions of EU institutions, interprets EU law at the request of national court
What are the 3 levels of the COJ? Art 19(1) TEU
Court of Justice, General Court, Specialised courts
What are the 2 main proceedings of the COJ?
Direct actions & Preliminary references
Direct action
Brought directly before the COJ/General court and dealt with in their entirety
Preliminary Reference
Begin before a national court when encountered with a question on the interpretation/validity of EU law. Makes a PR to the COJ
What happens after the PR has been delivered?
National court applies the ruling on the facts and decides on the dispute. COJ intervention is incidental
What are the 4 main types of direct action?
Infringement, Annulment, Damages, Illegality
Infringement / Enforcement
Article 258-260
Annulment
Article 263. 264
Damages
Article 268, 340 (2) & (3)
Illegality
Article 277
Interim relief
Art 278 & 279
What are infringement/ enforcement actions for?
Brought by a MS against another MS for non-compliance with EU law
What are annulment actions for?
Challenges illegal acts of EU institutions
What are damage actions for?
Compensation for damage due to an unlawful union act
What is the objective of direct actions?
Ensure MS compliance & protects against illegal acts/omissions of EU institutions
What are preliminary rulings for ? Art 267
Interpretation of EU law & Validity of EU law
How does the role of the courts differ in PR vs Direct actions?
Direct actions = adjudicate on dispute between parties, PR = advice on a specific point of EU law
Infringement proceedings
Address situations where a MS has breached EU law (failed to implement directive on time / enact legislation contrary to EU law)
Who is the main applicant in infringement proceedings?
Commission
What is the main provision for infringement proceedings?
Article 258 TFEU
Article 259 TFEU
Allows a MS to bring infringement proceedings- rarely used
Can private parties bring infringement actions before the court?
No- can challenge illegal actions of MS, Rely on direct effect. Request a national court to make a preliminary reference on the interpretation of EU law
What are the phases of an infringement proceeding?
- Commission gives MS the opportunity to remedy infringements & submit observations
- Judicial phase before COJ
- Judgement finding MS in breach of EU law is binding
- Non-compliance -> pecuniary sanctions Art 260
When can the commission start infringement proceedings?
If it believes a MS has failed to fulfil an obligation under the treaties
Can a MS incur liability regardless of the agency responsible for failure to fulfil obligations?
Article 258- Yes, includes:
- legislative, executive and judicial branches
- Any other public bodies
- Private entities controlled by the state
Must the potential infringement be attributable to the state?
Yes
Who is the defendant in an Article 258 action?
State itself. Action is brought against the government of the MS
What constitutes a failure to fulfil obligations under the treaty?
Positive acts & omissions in relation to treaty obligations, secondary legislation, international agreements, general points of law
What are examples of positive acts that = failure to fulfil treaty obligations?
Enactment of national legislation / sustained administrative practices contrary to EU law
Commission v France (Strawberries)
- C brought proceedings against french gov
- French authorities failed to prevent continuous, systematic destruction of spanish & belgian agricultural produce by french farmers
- Distribution of free movement of goods attributable to private parties
- Failure of french gov taking action = state failure to fulfil treaty obligations under Art 34
What is the administrative phase of an infringement action?
- Letter of formal notice
- C defines dispute subject matter for MS to submit observations
- MS given reasonable time to respond
- C may deliver reasoned opinion describing infringement of EU law (can’t change original subject matter or extend scope)
- MS given reasonable time to comply
- Failure to comply = C may bring matter before COJ
- Judgement is declaratory- states whether MS has breached EU law
What may a court grant during infringement proceedings?
Interim measures
What if a MS tries to defend themselves?
Court focuses on objective existence of EU law violation- typically dismisses defences
What are some unsuccessful defences?
Internal/practical difficulties hindering compliance with EU law
Other union institutions breaching EU law
Unlawful legislation being obsolete, not applied by MS
What can the court impose in response to a MS failing to comply with judgements under Art 258/259?
Pecuniary sanctions of a penalty or lump sum Art 260(2)
What are the consequences of a MS failing to transpose a directive on time?
Article 260 (3). When the Commission brings a case before the Court pursuant to Article 258 on the grounds that the Member State concerned has failed to fulfil its obligation to notify measures transposing a directive adopted under a legislative procedure, it may, when it deems appropriate, specify the amount of the lump sum or penalty payment to be paid by the Member State concerned which it considers appropriate in the circumstances.