The European Court of Justice is a court of justice that is in charge of the interpretation of the European Union’s law It was created in 1952 and it is based in The Hague, Netherlands. The European Court of Justice consists of 27 judges and 8 advocates general and is hence the highest authority of the law within the EU. The majority of the cases heard by the court is brought by the EU’s member countries.
The European Court of Justice has become a major debating point in the international legal community and it has made several remarkable rulings over its 50+ year history. Here is a list of five of its more memorable rulings:
1. The Van Gend en Loos ruling, in 1963: This ruling concerned a Dutch company importing goods from Germany, which was being charged tariff fees by the Dutch government. The company challenged the decision in the European Court of Justice and the ruling declared that the EU was an independent entity with its own body of law and that its member countries had to comply with all its laws. This ruling is believed to have been a major factor in the formation of the European Union.
2. The Da Costa ruling, in 1974: This ruling concerned a UK resident who was being prosecuted in the UK for carrying out a business transaction with Italy without having obtained the necessary authorization. The European Court of Justice declared that the UK had to consider the EU’s laws as part of their own internal regulations, thereby removing the need for dual regulations.
3. The Metock ruling, in 2008: This ruling concerned a Nigerian couple who, despite failing to meet the requirements for long-term residence, were still allowed to remain in Ireland due to their family ties. The European Court of Justice ruled in favor of the couple, affirming that all citizens of the EU, regardless of their family status, had the right to free movement within the EU.
4. The Employment Equality ruling, in 2015: This ruling concerned a French man who had been barred from employment in the UK due to his age. The European Court of Justice ruled in favor of the man, declaring that all EU citizens are to be given the same employment rights regardless of their age.
5. The Digital copyright ruling, in 2017: This ruling concerned the issue of digital copyright infringement. The European Court of Justice ruled that internet service providers must take action in order to prevent copyright infringement on their services. This ruling is seen as a landmark decision, as it defends the position of owners of intellectual property and ensures their rights.
Overall, the European Court of Justice has left a lasting mark on Europe and its international status. With its landmark rulings it has been able to protect the rights of all EU citizens and ensure that the governing laws of the EU are respected and enforced.