EU Legal Terms A-D

A

Acquis — See Acquis communautaire. The accumulated body of EU law, including treaties, legislation, case law, international agreements, and general principles that all Member States must accept and implement. Candidate countries must adopt the full acquis before accession.

Advocate General — A member of the European Court of Justice who delivers reasoned opinions on cases assigned to them. Advocate Generals assist the Court by providing independent, impartial legal analysis; their opinions are not binding but are highly influential in shaping the Court’s judgments.

Annulment — An action under Article 263 TFEU seeking judicial review of the legality of EU legislative or regulatory acts. If the action succeeds, the Court of Justice declares the contested act void. Standing requirements vary: privileged applicants (Member States, Parliament, Council, Commission) may always bring an action, while natural and legal persons must demonstrate direct and individual concern.

B

Brussels I Regulation — Regulation (EU) No 1215/2012 on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters. It governs which Member State courts have jurisdiction in cross-border disputes and provides for the free circulation of judgments within the EU without special enforcement procedures.

Budget of the European Union — The annual financial plan adopted through a special legislative procedure involving the Commission, Council, and Parliament. The budget is financed from own resources (customs duties, VAT contributions, GNI-based contributions) and must respect the multiannual financial framework ceilings.

C

Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) — The EU’s oldest and most integrated policy, established by the Treaty of Rome in 1957. It aims to support farmers, ensure food security, stabilize markets, and promote rural development through direct payments, market measures, and rural development programs funded by the EU budget.

Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) — The EU’s intergovernmental pillar for foreign policy, governed by the TEU. Decisions require unanimity in the Council, and the European Parliament and Commission have limited roles. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy coordinates CFSP actions.

Charter of Fundamental Rights — The EU’s binding human rights instrument proclaimed in 2000 and given legal force by the Lisbon Treaty in 2009. It codifies 54 articles covering dignity, freedoms, equality, solidarity, citizens’ rights, and justice, applying to EU institutions and Member States when implementing EU law.

Citizenship of the Union — A status conferred automatically on every person holding the nationality of a Member State. Rights include free movement and residence, voting and standing in European Parliament and municipal elections in any Member State, diplomatic protection by any Member State’s embassies, and the right to petition the European Parliament.

Co-decision Procedure — Former name of the ordinary legislative procedure under Article 294 TFEU, whereby the European Parliament and the Council jointly adopt legislation on an equal footing. It applies to the vast majority of EU legislative acts, requiring agreement from both institutions before adoption.

Comitology — The committee system through which Member States control the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers under Article 291 TFEU. Committees composed of Member State representatives examine draft implementing measures and deliver opinions that determine whether the Commission may proceed.

Common Commercial Policy — The EU’s exclusive competence in trade with non-member countries, covering tariffs, trade agreements, export policy, and trade defense instruments. The Commission negotiates trade agreements on behalf of the EU under Council authorization, subject to Parliament consent.

Competition Law — The body of EU rules prohibiting anticompetitive conduct, including Article 101 TFEU (cartels and restrictive agreements), Article 102 TFEU (abuse of dominance), and the Merger Regulation (concentration control). The Commission enforces these rules with powers to impose substantial fines.

Conferral — The constitutional principle that the EU acts only within the limits of competences conferred by Member States in the Treaties, under Article 5(2) TEU. Competences not conferred remain with Member States. It is the foundation of EU institutional balance.

Council of the European Union — The institution representing Member State governments, composed of ministers from each Member State meeting in configurations by policy area. It exercises legislative and budgetary functions jointly with the Parliament and coordinates Member State policies.

Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) — The EU’s judicial institution, comprising the Court of Justice, the General Court, and specialized courts. It ensures uniform interpretation and application of EU law through preliminary rulings, infringement proceedings, and direct actions.

Criminal Law Cooperation — Police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters under Articles 82-86 TFEU. It includes mutual recognition of judgments, harmonization of criminal offenses and penalties, Eurojust coordination, and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office for crimes affecting the EU budget.