Category: EU Institutions

EU Mechanics Basics The EU is an international organisation comprised of 28 countries or member states with a population of over 500 million. It is an international institution conferred with powers by its member states. These are reflected in the European Union treaties. The European Union has the power to make laws in the areas […]

The Institutions of the European Union The European Union treaties establish so-called supra-national institutions.  These are independent bodies with their own legal identity with set powers and competences.  Within the areas in which the EU treaties give the EU institutions legal powers or competences, the European Union bodies make enforce and administer laws and their […]

The Council The Council of the European Union or the Council is one of the most important bodies within the European Union.  The Council in conjunction with the European Parliament makes laws. The Council consists of a member of the government of each member state who has authority  to commit the government of that state.  […]

The Composition of the European Union The European Union consists of 28 member state with nearly 500 million inhabitants.  Its member states account for over 30 percent of global output. The European Union has evolved progressively.  The original six members  (France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg were joined by Ireland, the United […]

Overview and Development The European Parliament was originally constituted as the Assembly of the European Community.  Its role has been progressively enhanced during the existence of the European Communities and the European Union.  Initially, its powers were consultative in nature.  The Single European Act introduced new legislative procedures, the so-called assent, and co-decision procedure. These […]

Overview The law-making bodies in the European Union are the Council and the European Parliament.  Originally the Council had complete law-making powers.  Over time, the Parliament’s role has grown so that many decisions were made by both the Parliament and Council. Under the Lisbon Treaty, the co-decision procedure became the normal method of lawmaking. The […]

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Important Notice- See the Disclaimer Below Brexit Legal, McMahon Legal and Paul McMahon have no liability arising from reliance on anything contained in this article nor on this website

Important Notice- See the Disclaimer Below Brexit Legal, McMahon Legal and Paul McMahon have no liability arising from reliance on anything contained in this article nor on this website

European and international courts Article 19 of the Treaty on European Union Article 257 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union There are many courts that operate at international level and it is not always easy to distinguish their jurisdiction. The aim of this summary is to present the European courts and […]

European Council: Rules of Procedure European Council Decision 2009/882/EU adopting its Rules of Procedure It lays down the rules and procedures for organising the work of the European Council. These cover: the roles of the President and general secretariat, preparation of meetings, voting, and publication of decisions. It entered into force on 1 December 2009. […]

Division of competences within the European Union The EU has only the competences conferred on it by the Treaties (principle of conferral). Under this principle, the EU may only act within the limits of the competences conferred upon it by the EU countries in the Treaties to attain the objectives provided therein. Competences not conferred […]

The Council of the European Union SUMMARY OF: Article 16 Treaty on European Union Articles 237 Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union Articles 238 Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union Articles 239 Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union Articles 240 Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union Articles […]

Collection of quarterly non-financial statistics for government by EU countries Regulation (EC) No 1221/2002 on quarterly non-financial accounts for general government It defines the main categories of public non-financial accounts, as set out in ESA 95, whose details European Union (EU) countries’ statistical offices must communicate to the European Commission (Eurostat) every 3 months. KEY […]

European Administrative School Decision 2005/118/EC establishing the European Administrative School Decision 2005/119/EC — organisation and operation of the European Administrative School Decision 2005/118/EC sets up the European Administrative School with the purpose of providing professional training to the staff of the signatory institutions (the European Parliament, the Council, the European Commission, the Court of Justice […]

The European Commission   Article 17 Treaty on European Union Article 18 Treaty on European Union Article 244 Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) — role, composition, powers and functioning of the European Commission Article 245 TFEU — role, composition, powers and functioning of the European Commission Article 246 TFEU — role, […]

Cooperation between the EU’s institutions Article 13 of the Treaty on European Union Article 13 of the Treaty on European Union (EU) lists the EU’s institutions and states that they must practice ‘mutual sincere cooperation’. KEY POINTS The EU’s various institutions must aim to: promote the EU’s values (respect for human dignity, liberty, democracy, equality, […]

Legislative procedures Article 289 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union It reforms the EU’s previous decision-making process, thus strengthening its capacity to take decisions and action. KEY POINTS Article 289 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) concerns 2 types of legislative procedure: ordinary legislative procedure special […]

The European Ombudsman Charter of Fundamental Rights European Parliament Decision 94/262/ECSC, EC, Euratom – regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties It establishes the conditions under which the European Ombudsman works.It entered into force on 4 May 1994. Status and appointment The Ombudsman has a specific legal status in the treaties […]