Community Law

Abstract

The law of the European Community is; by and large, similar to any other legal system. What is peculiar about it is that it is not only a self-contained system of its own, running side by side with national legal systems (much as English and Scottish legal systems have operated in parallel), but it is also closely intertwined with the laws of the individual member states. In this way it follows the basic pattern in all Community affairs: the Community concerns itself with policy and rules, while their execution is the responsibility of the member states. This interrelationship is clearly revealed by the nature of Community law. The influence of national laws is strong. In the field of restrictive practices, or competition law, Community rules are heavily influenced by German (and even American) ideas and practices. But Community law does not make up a complete code covering the whole field of, say, company law, which wholly replaces national law. Community law, therefore, needs to be seen in the context of the national laws of all 12 member states.