EUROPEAN UNION LAW
2025-2026
WEEK 1 – Introductory lecture
1. EU PRIMARY LAW: THE TREATIES
Key Definition
• Primary law = The highest level of EU law. It forms the constitutional foundation of the
European Union and defines how the EU functions.
• The Treaties establish:
o EU institutions
o EU powers (competences)
o Decision-making procedures
o Rights and obligations of Member States
o Rights of individuals under EU law
Main EU Treaties
• Treaty on European Union (TEU)
o Focuses on:
§ General principles of the EU
§ Institutional framework
§ Political objectives and values of the Union
• Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU)
o Focuses on:
§ Detailed policy areas
§ EU competences
§ Legislative procedures
§ Operational functioning of the Union
, European Union Law
Additional Treaty Components
• When studying the Treaties, always consider:
o Protocols
→ Provide additional legal detail or exceptions.
o Annexes
→ Contain technical or supplementary provisions.
o Declarations
→ Clarify interpretation or political intent.
Treaty Development and Amendments
• EU Treaties evolve through revisions. Important examples include:
o Maastricht Treaty
o Amsterdam Treaty
o Lisbon Treaty
• Modern treaty texts are usually shown in consolidated versions, meaning all amendments are
integrated into one readable document.
Page 2
, European Union Law
2. EU SECONDARY LAW
Key Definition
• Secondary law = Legal acts created by EU institutions to implement and develop Treaty rules.
• These acts derive their authority from primary law.
Types of Secondary Law
• Regulations
o Legal Characteristics:
§ Binding in full
§ Directly applicable in all Member States
§ No national implementation needed
o Practical Meaning:
§ Automatically becomes law in every Member State.
• Directives
o Legal Characteristics:
§ Binding only regarding the result to be achieved
§ Member States choose how to implement
o Practical Meaning:
§ Countries must create national laws to achieve directive goals.
• Decisions
o Legal Characteristics:
§ Binding only on those addressed
§ Can target Member States, companies, or individuals
• Recommendations and Opinions
o Legal Characteristics:
§ Not legally binding
§ Provide guidance or interpretation
Page 3
, European Union Law
Understanding Secondary Law Documents
• When analysing a legal act, always check:
o Legal Basis
§ Treaty article allowing adoption
§ Shows scope and legitimacy
o Procedure Used
§ Example:
• Ordinary legislative procedure
• Special legislative procedures
o Amendments
§ Track changes over time to ensure correct interpretation
Research Tools for Secondary Law
• EUR-Lex Database
o Primary EU legal database containing:
§ Regulations
§ Directives
§ Decisions
§ Consolidated versions
§ Legislative history
§ Preparatory documents
o Advanced filters help locate:
§ Acts currently in force
§ Historical versions
§ Related documents
Page 4
2025-2026
WEEK 1 – Introductory lecture
1. EU PRIMARY LAW: THE TREATIES
Key Definition
• Primary law = The highest level of EU law. It forms the constitutional foundation of the
European Union and defines how the EU functions.
• The Treaties establish:
o EU institutions
o EU powers (competences)
o Decision-making procedures
o Rights and obligations of Member States
o Rights of individuals under EU law
Main EU Treaties
• Treaty on European Union (TEU)
o Focuses on:
§ General principles of the EU
§ Institutional framework
§ Political objectives and values of the Union
• Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU)
o Focuses on:
§ Detailed policy areas
§ EU competences
§ Legislative procedures
§ Operational functioning of the Union
, European Union Law
Additional Treaty Components
• When studying the Treaties, always consider:
o Protocols
→ Provide additional legal detail or exceptions.
o Annexes
→ Contain technical or supplementary provisions.
o Declarations
→ Clarify interpretation or political intent.
Treaty Development and Amendments
• EU Treaties evolve through revisions. Important examples include:
o Maastricht Treaty
o Amsterdam Treaty
o Lisbon Treaty
• Modern treaty texts are usually shown in consolidated versions, meaning all amendments are
integrated into one readable document.
Page 2
, European Union Law
2. EU SECONDARY LAW
Key Definition
• Secondary law = Legal acts created by EU institutions to implement and develop Treaty rules.
• These acts derive their authority from primary law.
Types of Secondary Law
• Regulations
o Legal Characteristics:
§ Binding in full
§ Directly applicable in all Member States
§ No national implementation needed
o Practical Meaning:
§ Automatically becomes law in every Member State.
• Directives
o Legal Characteristics:
§ Binding only regarding the result to be achieved
§ Member States choose how to implement
o Practical Meaning:
§ Countries must create national laws to achieve directive goals.
• Decisions
o Legal Characteristics:
§ Binding only on those addressed
§ Can target Member States, companies, or individuals
• Recommendations and Opinions
o Legal Characteristics:
§ Not legally binding
§ Provide guidance or interpretation
Page 3
, European Union Law
Understanding Secondary Law Documents
• When analysing a legal act, always check:
o Legal Basis
§ Treaty article allowing adoption
§ Shows scope and legitimacy
o Procedure Used
§ Example:
• Ordinary legislative procedure
• Special legislative procedures
o Amendments
§ Track changes over time to ensure correct interpretation
Research Tools for Secondary Law
• EUR-Lex Database
o Primary EU legal database containing:
§ Regulations
§ Directives
§ Decisions
§ Consolidated versions
§ Legislative history
§ Preparatory documents
o Advanced filters help locate:
§ Acts currently in force
§ Historical versions
§ Related documents
Page 4
