EUlaw

EU law refers to the body of laws that govern the European Union and its member states. It includes the founding treaties, regulations, directives, decisions, and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, and it is designed to create a coherent legal order across the internal market and in areas such as competition, trade, and social policy.

The sources of EU law are divided into primary and secondary law. Primary law consists of the EU treaties, notably the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, along with the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Secondary law comprises regulations (directly applicable in all member states), directives (binding as to result but requiring transposition into national law), decisions (binding on those addressed), and non-binding instruments such as recommendations and opinions.

The EU legal order has primacy over national law in areas of EU competence, so when there is conflict, EU law must be applied. Direct effect allows certain provisions to be invoked directly by individuals in national courts. The Court of Justice of the European Union interprets EU law and has the final say on its meaning and validity.

Key procedural mechanisms include the preliminary ruling procedure, under which national courts request the CJEU to interpret EU law, and infringement actions brought by the European Commission or member states for breaches of EU law. Individuals may obtain remedies for violations of EU law in some circumstances, including state liability for resulting damages.

EU law operates within a framework of shared and exclusive competences. Some areas are regulated exclusively at the EU level, while others involve cooperation with member states. The Lisbon Treaty strengthened the legal and institutional structure, including the place of the Charter within the EU legal order.