The Courts in Great Britain European Community Law

The sources of Community law are legislation and case-law. The legislation is primary for certain Treaty provisions whereas Regulations, Directives and Decisions of the Council and Commission under Article 189 of the EC Treaty are secondary or delegated legislation. In addition the decisions of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) and the Court of First Instance (CFI) are binding over the national courts of member states.

The direct applicability and direct effectivity of Community law

Britain is bound by the legislation emanating from the Community institutions. This is recognised in European Communities Act 1972 (ECA 1972).

The ECA 1972 provides for the supremacy of Community legislation by providing that Acts of Parliament have effect subject to Community provisions. In addition, English courts must interpret Community legislation using European methods.

A provision of Community law is directly applicable if it becomes part of the law of the member state automatically without needing to be incorporated into national law by direct or indirect national legislation. It is directly effective if it creates rights which are enforceable by the courts of a member state.

Community provisions which are only directly effective can only be enforced by a person against the member state or a state organ, not against other persons. They are therefore considered as having vertical direct effect since the person is enforcing the provision vertically against the state. Provisions have horizontal direct effect where they can be used as the basis of an action by one subject against another.

Legislation

Treaty provisions

The ECJ has established that some treaty provisions are directly applicable and directly effective both horizontally and vertically. Such provisions must: (i) not simply concern inter state relations, (ii) be clear and precise, (iii) be unconditional and unqualified; and (iv) not leave any substantial latitude or discretion to member states.

Regulations

Defined as having ‘general application’ and ‘being binding in [their] entirety and directly applicable in all member states’, regulations are used to introduce major changes in Community law applicable throughout the Community. They bind all member states and take precedence over all national legislation. A person living in a member state can enforce rights guaranteed by a regulation in the national courts of the member state.

3. Questions.

1. What are the two main branches of law in England?

2. What are the two types of legal personality?

3. How are corporations classified?

4. What are the major sources of English Law?

5. How is a precedent established in case law?

6. What statement of law is binding?

7. What are the sources of European Community law?

4. Find the following sentences in the text.

1. В Англии основное различие – это различие между уголовным и гражданским правом.

2. Физическое лицо обычно имеет только одно гражданство, но может иметь двойное гражданство или не иметь гражданства.

3. Самые ранние торговые корпорации были созданы таким способом: Компания Гудзонова Залива, Ост-Индская Компания.

4. Заявление, сделанное судьей при вынесении решения по делу, создает прецедент.

5. Только заявление, создающее основу для вынесения решения, является обязательным.

6. Решения Суда Европейских Сообществ и Суда Первой Инстанции обязательны для государственных судов стран-членов.

7. Английские суды должны толковать законодательство Сообщества, используя Европейские методы.