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Introduction to International Law - Sources in the UM Law Library: European Union

This guide to international legal research is designed primarily for students with little or no experience in doing research in international law.

About the European Union

The European Union comprises the European Coal and Steel Community (founded 1952), the European Economic Community (established 1958) and the European Atomic Energy Community (established 1958). These three original organizations are now referred to as the European Communities. In 1967, the principal organs of the three communities were merged. These member organs include:

  • European Commission: A permanent body made up of 20 members responsible for the implementation of the basic Treaty, also holding the right of initiative and executive power.
  • Council of Ministers: Composed of a representative from each member state, the Council is the final policy-making body. This decision-making body adopts or amends Commission proposals, and adopts the budget with the Parliament.
  • European Parliament: The Parliament is made up of 626 members who collectively have power over the appropriation of funds. Both the Council and the Commission consult the Parliament, and the Commission is answerable to it. The Parliament delivers opinions on Commission proposals and shares the power of decision-making with the Council.
  • Court of Justice and Court of First Instance: The judicial organ of the EU, which interprets and applies the basic Treaty, ensuring that the law is observed in the process of Community integration. Established in 1958, the Court of Justice is composed of fifteen judges appointed for a renewable term of six years, and eight advocates-general. The Court of First Instance is an independent court composed of 15 Judges appointed for a term of six years. This court deals with actions brought by natural and legal persons against decisions of the Community institutions.
  • Court of Auditors: Monitors the implementation of the Community budget.
  • Economic and Social Committee: A consultative body that involves representing trade unions and social and professional groups in the process of drafting Community legislation.
  • Committee of the Regions: Another body ancillary to the Council and the Commission, this body introduces representation for regional and local bodies in the Community institutional system and has advisory functions.
  • European Investment Bank: The role of the Bank is to contribute on a financial level to the balanced development of the Community.

Sources for the European Union

The Law Library became the first regional depository in the United States for European Union publications in 1957. Since English became one of the official languages of the Union only in 1973, the earlier documentation is sometimes difficult to find. Additional information on EU research, including how to find legislation and the documents of the Commission, Parliament, Council, Economic and Social Committee, and Court of Justice can be found in the Law Library’s research guide "European Union Law," available in paper at the Reference Desk or online.

The following are some of the general European Union publications that should be consulted:

Reports of cases before the Court of Justice and the Court of First Instance. 1954- . Court of Justice is a tribunal of the European Community with international jurisdiction.

Treaties Establishing the European Communities, Treaties Amending the Treaties, Documents of Accession. 1987.

Collection of the Agreements Concluded by the European Communities. 1977- . 5 volumes and annual supplement volume.

Official Journal of the European Union. The official gazette of the European Union, it contains texts of legislation, draft legislation, official announcements, and information on EU activities. Since 1968, the Official Journal has consisted of two parts:

  1. Legislation (L series). Includes acts and regulations and non-obligatory publications of decisions.
  2. Information and Notices (C series) (Communications et Informations) which includes:

                   - Activities of Community institutions, European Parliament proceedings texts,
                     Court of Justice actions, Commission and Council public business, European
                     and Social Committee opinions and Court of Auditor actions.

                   - Preparatory acts: proposals for new legislation.

                   - Notices: competition and contract announcements.

Index to the Official Journal of the European Communities 1978- . Monthly index should be used until the annual index is available.

European Communities Legislation: Current Status. 1952- . This index, which is updated annually, is a guide to all binding secondary legislation of the European Communities (i.e. regulations, decisions, recommendations, and directives). Current Status not only lists legislation in force but also provides historical information about legislation, e.g., repeals, amendments, etc. Citations to the Official Journal, where the full text of listed legislation may be found, are provided for each listed item.

Directory of Community Legislation in Force… 1983- . This annual index describes all secondary legislation in force at the time of publication, arranged by treaty subject; provides Official Journal citations.

Bulletin of the European Communities. 1968- . The monthly bulletin of the Communities. The information is arranged in three parts: events and studies, activities and documentation. It also lists all items published in the Official Journal and gives the docket of the Court of Justice.

General Report on the Activities of the Union. 1994- . This is the best overview of the EU’s activities.

European Union Law Reporter This is a three-volume looseleaf service that is updated bi-weekly and includes Court decisions, regulations, treaties and summaries of pertinent national legislation of the Member States.

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