Law: EU materials

Main generator of new EU legislation.

Jointly enacts laws from those proposed by the Commission with the European Parliament.

One of the EU’s main law-making institutions. Shares legislative powers equally with the Council of the European Union.

Responsible for developing, defining and prioratising the main political issues for the EU. Distinct and separate body from the Council of the European Union described above

Consultative body, issue opinions on the single market and EU legislation.

Represents regional and local authorites. The COR must be consulted on EU laws that impact local or regional matters.

Responsible for monetary policy.

Useful and comprehensive guide to EU sources, created by the Cardiff EDC.

The EU treaties are binding agreements between EU member countries. They set out EU objectives, rules for EU institutions, how decisions are made and the relationship between the EU and its member countries. Every action taken by the EU is founded on treaties. Access the Treaties from this link.

The European Union is based on the rule of law. This means that every action taken by the EU is founded on treaties that have been approved voluntarily and democratically by all EU member countries. For example, if a policy area is not cited in a treaty, the Commission cannot propose a law in that area.

EU content on Westlaw is provided by Ellis and EUR-Lex (the official legal database of the EU). The information is divided into 6 broad categories. They are primary legislation, secondary legislation, primary law, preparatory documents, parliamentary questions and case law. EU material is updated on a daily basis.

EUR-Lex provides direct free access to European Union law. Includes full text documents on European Union law, the legislative procedures of the Union and EU institutions.

Access to the case law of the Court of First Instance, Court of Justice and the Civil Service Tribunal. Cases can be searched by case details or subject.

The Legislative Observatory focuses on the development of legislation - a useful resource for finding preparatory material and parliamentary debates.

The European Court of Human Rights is not an EU institution. It is an institution of the Council of Europe.

Documents relating to the European Convention of Human Rights from 1959 onwards have been split into separate sections, which can be searched individually or together. Covers the European Court, the former European Commission of Human Rights and the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
Coverage dates: 1959 -