Class 1 notes - Law and European Economic Policies

These notes provide a clear and structured introduction to the legal and institutional nature of the European Union, as discussed in Lecture 1 of the Law and European Economic Policies course taught by Professor Steinbach. They explain how the EU is a sui generis legal and political entity—neither a traditional international organization nor a full-fledged federal state—and describe the sources of its legitimacy: both through national governments (via interstate treaties and the Council of the EU) and through direct democratic representation (via elections to the European Parliament). The notes offer a concise breakdown of the institutional framework of the EU, focusing on the roles of the Council of the European Union, the European Commission, and the EU courts. For the Council, they outline the logic of Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) and explain how internal coordination at the national level affects EU negotiations, especially in coalition-based or federal Member States. The European Commission is described in terms of its executive role, its internal structure (33 Directorates-General), and the principle of collegiality, which ensures collective decision-making. On the judicial side, the notes briefly introduce the General Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), and clarify their respective competences. The key procedural rule of Article 263(4) TFEU is also highlighted, outlining the conditions under which individuals and companies can bring direct actions against EU acts. The final section covers the principle of conferral, a fundamental element of EU constitutional law, under which the Union may act only within the limits of competences conferred upon it by the treaties, with all remaining powers reserved to the Member States. These notes are ideal for students seeking a concise yet comprehensive summary of the EU’s legal identity, institutional balance, and procedural rules. They provide a solid foundation for understanding how the EU operates both politically and legally, particularly in areas involving legislative authority, executive implementation, and judicial review.