Sources of EU Law

Sources of EU Law

1. Legislation

   • Regulations
     • Directly applicable
     • Primary legislation
       • MS must implement
   • Directives
     • Needs implemented by MS
     • Secondary legislation
   • Treaties
     • framework
     • Treaty Formation of the European Union
     • Treaty of the European Union
     • Primary Legislation
   • Recommendations & Opinions
     • non-binding
   • Decisions
     • Binding on addresses only
       • Specific issues only

2. ECJ

3. General Principles

   • Supremacy
     • Van Gend en Loo,s
     • Costa v ENEL
     • Simmenthal
     • Factorame
   • Proportionality & subsidiarity
     • Only act if better placed, do not use a hammer to crack a nut
       • Handelgesselshaft
   • Competence
     • Who can act? EU or MS?