European Court of Justice
- European Court of Justice
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(also the Court of Justice of the European Communities)
the court of law of the European Union since 1958. Its base is in Luxembourg, with judges from each of the member countries. It interprets EU law and decides when individual member countries have broken that law.
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Judicial branch of the
European Union (EU), established in 1958 to ensure the observance of international agreements negotiated by predecessor organizations of the EU. Headquartered in Luxembourg, it reviews the legality of the acts of EU executive bodies and rules on cases of civil law between member states or private parties.
It can invalidate the laws of EU members when they conflict with EU law. Its bench, which is appointed by member governments, consists of 25 judges and 8 advocates-general. Prior to 2004, the ECJ met as a full chamber for all cases, but it now may sit as a "grand chamber" of 11 judges. See also
International Court of Justice.
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the judicial branch of the
European Union (
EU). Its headquarters are in Luxembourg. The ECJ originated in the individual courts of justice established in the 1950s for the
European Coal and Steel Community, the
European Economic Community, and the
European Atomic Energy Community. The function of these courts was to ensure the observance of law in those organizations' interpretation and application of their treaties. In 1958 a single, unified ECJ was created to serve all three of the European Communities (later called the
European Community). In 1989 the Court of First Instance was established to reduce the court's workload.
The ECJ reviews the legality of the acts of the Commission and the Council of Ministers of the EU, which are the executive bodies of that organization. The court typically hears cases involving disputes between member states over trade, antitrust, and environmental issues, as well as issues raised by private parties, compensations for damages, and so on. The court has the power to invalidate the laws of EU member states when those laws conflict with EU law. The ECJ serves as the final arbiter of the growing body of international law that has accompanied the economic and political integration of Europe. The court's full bench consists of 25 judges, who are appointed to renewable 6-year terms, and 8 advocates-general. Prior to 2004, the ECJ met as a full chamber for all cases, but it now may sit as a “grand chamber” of 11 judges.
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Universalium.
2010.
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