Legal English definitions + example sentence
1. EU internal market
Definition: The EU internal market is an area where there is free
movement of goods, capital, services and persons.
Example sentence: Because of the EU internal market, a French
company can sell its products in Belgium without additional trade
barriers.
2. Free movement of persons
Definition: You can work, live, travel and study anywhere in Europe,
and that you have the right to be treated equally in the host country.
Example sentence: Thanks to the free movement of persons, an Italian
worker can live and work in Germany under the same conditions as
German citizens.
3. Treaty
Definition: A treaty is a written, legally binding international agreement
between states. Only states can make treaties; individual persons
cannot make treaties.
Example sentence: The European Convention on Human Rights is a
treaty that is binding on the States that have ratified it.
4. Principle of proportionality
Definition: The EU must not go further than what is necessary to
achieve its objectives.
Example sentence: A complete ban on demonstrations could breach
the principle of proportionality if less restrictive measures exist.
5. Preliminary reference procedure
Definition: The preliminary reference procedure allows national courts
to ask the Court of Justice questions about EU law to ensure its correct
and uniform application.
Example sentence: The national court used the preliminary reference
procedure to clarify the interpretation of EU law.
, 6. Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)
Definition: The Court of Justice of the European Union ensures that EU
law is interpreted and applied correctly and uniformly in all EU Member
States.
Example sentence: The CJEU ruled that the national legislation was
incompatible with EU law.
7. Legal competences of the European Union
Definition: Describe what the EU is allowed to do by law. The EU can
only act within the powers given to it by the Treaties.
Example sentence: Environmental protection is part of the EU’s shared
legal competences.
8. Negative obligations
Definition: Mean that the State must not interfere with the exercise of
a human right.
Example sentence: Arresting peaceful protesters would violate the
State’s negative obligations.
9. Positive obligations
Definition: Mean that the State must take action to protect and ensure
human rights.
Example sentence: The State has positive obligations to protect victims
of domestic violence.
10. Exhaustion of domestic remedies
Definition: An individual must first use all available and effective
national legal remedies before bringing a case to an international court
or human rights body.
Example sentence: The application was rejected because the applicant
had not exhausted domestic remedies.
11. Unlawful discrimination
Definition: When people in similar situations are treated differently on
the basis of a protected characteristic without an objective and
reasonable justification.
Example sentence: Refusing to hire someone solely because of their
gender may constitute unlawful discrimination.
1. EU internal market
Definition: The EU internal market is an area where there is free
movement of goods, capital, services and persons.
Example sentence: Because of the EU internal market, a French
company can sell its products in Belgium without additional trade
barriers.
2. Free movement of persons
Definition: You can work, live, travel and study anywhere in Europe,
and that you have the right to be treated equally in the host country.
Example sentence: Thanks to the free movement of persons, an Italian
worker can live and work in Germany under the same conditions as
German citizens.
3. Treaty
Definition: A treaty is a written, legally binding international agreement
between states. Only states can make treaties; individual persons
cannot make treaties.
Example sentence: The European Convention on Human Rights is a
treaty that is binding on the States that have ratified it.
4. Principle of proportionality
Definition: The EU must not go further than what is necessary to
achieve its objectives.
Example sentence: A complete ban on demonstrations could breach
the principle of proportionality if less restrictive measures exist.
5. Preliminary reference procedure
Definition: The preliminary reference procedure allows national courts
to ask the Court of Justice questions about EU law to ensure its correct
and uniform application.
Example sentence: The national court used the preliminary reference
procedure to clarify the interpretation of EU law.
, 6. Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)
Definition: The Court of Justice of the European Union ensures that EU
law is interpreted and applied correctly and uniformly in all EU Member
States.
Example sentence: The CJEU ruled that the national legislation was
incompatible with EU law.
7. Legal competences of the European Union
Definition: Describe what the EU is allowed to do by law. The EU can
only act within the powers given to it by the Treaties.
Example sentence: Environmental protection is part of the EU’s shared
legal competences.
8. Negative obligations
Definition: Mean that the State must not interfere with the exercise of
a human right.
Example sentence: Arresting peaceful protesters would violate the
State’s negative obligations.
9. Positive obligations
Definition: Mean that the State must take action to protect and ensure
human rights.
Example sentence: The State has positive obligations to protect victims
of domestic violence.
10. Exhaustion of domestic remedies
Definition: An individual must first use all available and effective
national legal remedies before bringing a case to an international court
or human rights body.
Example sentence: The application was rejected because the applicant
had not exhausted domestic remedies.
11. Unlawful discrimination
Definition: When people in similar situations are treated differently on
the basis of a protected characteristic without an objective and
reasonable justification.
Example sentence: Refusing to hire someone solely because of their
gender may constitute unlawful discrimination.
