European Union Law Law and Legal Definition
European Union law is a body of treaties, law and court judgments which operates alongside the legal systems of the European Union's member states. Whenever there is a conflict between EU law and national law, EU law takes precedence over national law and is binding on all national authorities. The European Commission is the institution responsible for ensuring EU law is applied throughout all member states.
The law does not provide for specific remedies to be available in national courts in case of infringements of EU law. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has had no opportunity to develop such remedies since it cannot itself adjudicate on complaints by individuals that rights under EU law have been violated. However, ECJ has provided for judicial protection of EU rights by laying down some general principles regarding the adequacy of national laws on remedies. These include the principle of equivalence of EC law remedies to national remedies, and the requirement that remedies for infringements of EC law be effective. Different national legal systems provide a variety of remedies for infringements of laws in the field of employment and industrial relations.
European Union Laws were formerly known as European Community laws.
