Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Community legal order

  • Chapter
Book cover Judicial Protection in the European Communities

  • 71 Accesses

Abstract

Each State has its own body of interlocking and complementary legal rules which taken together govern the legal relationships within the country. Within Community law these bodies of legal rules are normally called ‘legal orders’.1 Apart from these national legal orders international organizations have legal orders of their own.2 In comparison with these the legal order of the European Communities is of particular significance not only because of the large number of rules it contains, and the preponderance and the frequent direct effect of these rules for a large group of people, but also due to its homogeneity.3 Most international organizations embody their binding legal rules in treaties or conventions. These obtain force of law only after ratification by the States concerned. As in practice not all States ratify every convention, the binding force of conventions differs as regards territorial application. This precludes one convention being used for completing another. Because of the fact that not all legal rules bind the same States, they cannot form one legal order; each convention constitutes a legal order of its own. In the European Communities the three Treaties and all the rules of secondary Community law taken together form one legal order, equally binding within all Member States. The inherent unity of this legal order is of the greatest importance for its further development.4

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 64.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Notes

  1. On the Community legal order see Riccardo Monaco, The Limits of the European Community Order, 1 ELRev. (1976), pp. 269–281.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Pierre Pescatore, Aspects judiciaires de l«acquis communautaire», 17 RTDE (1981), pp. 617–651.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Derrick Wyatt, New Legal Order, or Old?, 7 ELRev. (1982), pp. 147–166.

    Google Scholar 

  4. On the question whether there are three Community legal orders or one, see Albert Bleckmann, Die Einheit der Europäischen Gemeinschaftrechtsordnung — Einheit oder Mehrheit der Europäischen Gemeinschaften, 13 EuR (1978), pp. 95–104.

    Google Scholar 

  5. For interpretation of the preamble, see Stefan Schepers, The Legal Force of the Preamble to the EEC Treaty, 6 ELRev. (1981), pp. 356–361.

    Google Scholar 

  6. See K.J.M. Mortelmans, De rechtsbescherming bij pseudowetgeving in het Europees economisch recht, 27 SEW (1979), pp. 16–30 and Schwarze (op. cit., note 13), pp. 60-72.

    Google Scholar 

  7. The ECSC Treaty is authentic in French, the other Treaties are authentic in all seven languages, including Irish (Act of Accession, Art. 160) but secondary Community law is normally authentic in only six languages (Council Regulation No. 1 as amended, OJ L73/123 (1972)). On plurilinguism in general see Jean Hardy, The interpretation of plurilingual treaties by international courts and tribunals, 37BYIL (1961) pp. 72-155; on plurilingualism in the European Communities, see S.A. Dickschat, Problème s d’interprétation des traités européens résultant de leur plurilinguisme, RBDI 1968, pp. 40-60; Lisbeth Stevens, The principle of linguistic equality in judicial proceedings and in the interpretation of plurilingual legal instruments: the regime linguistique in the Court of Justice of the European Communities, 62 Northwestern University Law Review (1967), pp. 701-734. A fuller account of the case-law of the Court of Justice is given by L. Neville Brown, The Linguistic Regime of the Euorpean Communities: Some Problems of Law and Language in 15 Valparaiso University Law Review (1981), pp. 319-341 and by J.A. Usher, Language and the European Court of Justice, 2 ICLFR (1981), pp. 277–285.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Gérard Druesne, La réserve d’ordre public de l’article 48 du traité de Rome, 12 RTDE (1976), pp. 229–258.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Louise Catchpole and Ami Barav, The public morality exception and the free movement of goods: justification of a dual standard in national legislation? LIEI 1980/1, pp. 1–21.

    Google Scholar 

  10. See, e.g., EEC directives 64/221, 72/194 and 75/35. The Court restrictively interpreted this notion in the Van Duyn Case (41/74), 4 Dec. 1974, consideration 18, [1974] ECR 1350;[1975] 1 CMLR 17;CCH para 8283, and the Bouchereau Case (30/77), 27 Oct. 1977, consideration 33. [1977] ECR 2013; [1977] 2 CMLR 824; CCH para 8441. On public policy see also H. Boonk, De openbare orde als grens aan het vrij verkeer van goederen, personen en diensten in de EEG, Thesis Groningen 1977; R.H. Lauwaars, Het voorbehoud voor de openbare orde als beperking van het vrije verkeer van personen in de EEG, 12 SEW (1978), pp. 829–839.

    Google Scholar 

  11. See also John A. Usher, Interpretation by analogy — contrasting cases, 3 ELRev. (1978), pp. 387–390.

    Google Scholar 

  12. To some extent the Court used this method from its early days: see Scheingold, The Rule of Law in European Integration, London 1965, pp. 289-293. See also C.J. Mann, The Function of Judicial Decision in European Economic Integration, Nijhoff, the Hague 1972, pp. 378-383; Stuart S. Malawer, International Law, European Community Law and the Rule of Reason, 8 JWTL (1974), pp. 17-74; Robert Ormand, La notion de l’effet-utile des traités communautaires dans la jurisprudence de la Cour de Justice des Communautés européennes, thèse et d’après thèse, Paris I, 1975, 195 and 181 pages; Mustafa K. Yasseen, L’interpretation des traités d’après la Convention de Vienne sur le Droit des Traités, chapitre VII, L’Effet Utile: Le principe Ut Res Magis Valeat quam Pereat, 151 RdC (1976 III), pp. 71-77; Bredimas (op. cit., note 18) pp. 70-105; Robert Ormand, L’utilisation particulière de la methode d’interprétation des traités selon leur ‘effet utile’ par la Cour de Justice des Communautés Européennes, 12 RTDE (1976), pp. 624–634.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Albert Bleckmann, Teleologie und dynamische Auslegung des Europäischen Gemeinschaftsrechts, 14 EuR (1979), pp. 239–260, A.M. Donner, Falsifikation als Rechtsgrund in der Rechtsprechung, Festschrift Kutscher, Nomos 1981, pp. 123-133.

    Google Scholar 

  14. John Usher, The Interpretation of Community Law by the European Court of Justice, 11 The Law Teacher (1977), p. 165.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. See K. Mortelmans, Les lacunes provisoires en droit communautaire, 17 CDE (1981), pp. 410–436 who mentions the Cassis de Dijon Case (120/78), 20 Feb. 1979, [1979] ECR 649 as an example of a reference to the Member States, and the ACF Chemiefarma Case (41 /69), 15 July 1970, [ 1970] ECR 661 as an example of a reference to the Community legislature.

    Google Scholar 

  16. For more examples see Henry G. Schermers, The European Court of Justice: Promoter of European integration, 22 AJCL (1974) pp. 459–464. See also: Gerhard Köpenik, Die Ausweitung der Rechtssetzungsbefugnisse der Europäischen Gemeinschaften durch den Europäischen Gerichtshof, Thesis München 1974, 225 pp.; Jean Boulouis, A propos de la fonction normative de la jurisprudence. Remarques sur l’oeuvre jurisprudentielle de la Cour de Justice des Communautés européennes, Mélanges Waline 1974, Vol. I, pp. 149-162; Schwarze (op. cit., note 13), pp. 105-240.

    Google Scholar 

  17. K. Mortelmans, Les lacunes provisoires en droit communautaire, 17 CDE (1981), pp. 410–436.

    Google Scholar 

  18. See also Albert Bleckmann, Der Rechtsstaat in vergleichender Sicht. Zugleich ein Beitrag zur Rechtsquellenlehre des Europäischen Gemeinschaftsrechts, 20 GYIL (1977), pp. 406–432; Neville Brown and Jacobs (op. cit., note 17), pp. 215-228; Toth (op. cit., note 10) pp. 85-94.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Anna Bredimas, Comparative Law in the Court of Justice of the European Communities, 32 YbWA (1978), pp. 320–333.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Pierre Pescatore, The context and significance of fundamental rights in the law of the European Communities, 2 HRLJ (1981), p. 305.

    Google Scholar 

  21. See Advocate-General Roemer in e.g. the Plaumann Case (25/62), 15 July 1963, [1963] ECR 116, 117; 9 Jur. (1963) 252-253; 9 Rec. (1963) 241, 242; 119641 CMLR 37, 38; CCH para 8013, or the Schöppenstedt Case (5/71), 2 Dec. 1971, [1971] ECR 990; CCH para 8153. See also Ernst-Werner Fuß, Die Allgemeinen Rechtsgrundsätze über die ausservertragliche Haftung der europäischen Gemeinschaften, zur Methode ihrer Auffindung, Festschrift Hermann Raschhofer 1977, pp. 43-57; Bruno du Ban, Les principes généraux communs et la responsabilité non contractuelle de la Communauté, 13 CDE (1977), pp. 397–402.

    Google Scholar 

  22. See also Meinhard Hilf, Der Gerichtshof der Europäischen Gemeinschaften als Integrationsfaktor, dargestellt anhand der Rechtsprechung zu den Grundrechten, in Die Grundrechte in der Europäischen Gemeinschaft, pp. 23-34; Ingolf Pernice, Grundrechtsgehalte im Europäischen Gemeinschaftsrecht, Schriftenreihe Europäische Wirtschaft, Band 96, Nomos Verlag 1979; Manfred A. Dauses, Zur neuern Grundrechtsproblematik in der EG, 35 JZ (1980), pp. 293–298.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Pierre Pescatore, The Context and Significance of Fundamental Rights in the law of the European Communities, 2 HRLJ (1981), pp. 295–308; P.H. Teitgen, La protection des droits fondamentaux dans la jurisprudence de la Cour de Justice des Communautés européennes, in L’adhésion des Communautés européennes à la Convention européenne des droits de l’homme, Bruylant Brussels 1981, pp. 21-32.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Hans-Werner Rengeling, Der Grundrechtsschutz in der Europäischen Gemeinschaft und die Überprüfung der Gesetzgebung, 97 DVB1 (1982), pp. 140–144.

    Google Scholar 

  25. A. Bleckmann, Die Grundrechte im Europäischen Gemeinschaftsrecht, 8 EuGRZ (1981), pp. 257–274.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Kai Bahlmann, Der Grundrechtsschutz in der Europäischen Gemeinschaft, 17 EuR (1982), pp. 1–20.

    Google Scholar 

  27. See e.g. Pierre Pescatore in 4 CDE (1968), pp. 629-673, in CMLRev. 1972, pp. 73-79 and in his report for FIDE 1975 (Brussels); E.A. Alkema, West-Europa en de rechten van de Mens, Civis Mundi 1974, in particular pp. 115-118; Ernst-Werner Fuss, Der Grundrechtsschutz in den Europäischen Gemeinschaften aus deutscher Sicht, UGA Verlag 1975, pp. 67-89; A.G. Toth, The Individual and European Law, 24 ICLQ (1975), in particular pp.664–668.

    Google Scholar 

  28. W.R. Edison and F. Wooldridge, European Community Law and Fundamental Human Rights: some recent decisions of the European Court and of national courts, LIEI 1976/1, pp. 1–54.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Ch. Philip, La Cour de Justice des Communautés et la protection des droits fondamentaux dans l’ordre juridique communautaire, 21 AFDI (1975), pp. 383–407; M. Hilf, The Protection of Fundamental Rights in the Community in F.G. Jacobs (ed.) European Law and the Individual, North Holland 1976, pp. 145-160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Pierre Pescatore, Bestand und Bedeutung der Grundrechte im Recht der Europäischen Gemeinschaften, 14 EuR (1979), pp. 1–12; Pescatore (op. cit., note 78A), pp. 295-308.

    Google Scholar 

  31. See e.g. Court of Justice in Stork Case (1/58), 4 Feb. 1959, [1959] ECR 26; 5 Jur. (1959) 66; 5 Rec. (1959) 63; Second Ruhrkohlen Case (36-38 and 40/59), 15 July 1960 [1960] ECR 438; 6 Jur. (1960) 920; 6 Rec. (1960) 890, see quotation above, § 46; Bundesverfassungsgericht, 5 July 1967, 18 Oct. 1967, 9 June 1971 and 29 May 1974 all summarized in L.J. Brinkhorst and H.G. Schermers, Judicial Remedies in the European Communities, 2nd ed. Kluwer Deventer 1977, pp. 181-191. See also Peter Hay, Supremacy of Community Law in National Courts, A Progress Report on Referrals Under the EEC Treaty. 16 AJCL (1969) p. 524; Bodo Börner, Deutsche Grundrechte und Gemeinschaftsrecht, NJW 1976, pp. 2041-2048.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Jozeau-Marigné Report, European Parliament document 297/72, 28 Feb. 1973, para 23 See also Henry G. Schermers, The Communities under the European Convention on Human Rights, LIEI 1978/1, pp. 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Joint Declaration of 5 April 1977, O.J 27 April 1977, No C 103/1. See also John Forman, The Joint Declaration on Fundamental Rights, 2 ELRev. (1977), pp. 210–215.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Frais Case (130/75), 27 Oct. 1976, considerations 10, 16, 19, [1976] ECR 1598, 1599; [1976] 2 CMLR 722, 723, 724. See also Trevor Hartley, Religious freedom and equality of opportunity, 2 ELRev. (1977), pp. 45–47.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Valentine Korah, The Rights of the Defence in Administrative Proceedings Under Community Law, 33 Current Legal Problems (1980), pp. 73–97.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Léon Goffin, La jurisprudence de la Cour de justice sur les droits de défense, 16 CDE (1980), pp. 127–144.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Antoine Braun, Les droits de la défense devant la Commission et la Cour de justice des Communautés européennes, 141 IRCL(1980), pp. 2–8.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Stephen Stewart and David Vaughan, Does Legal Professional Privilege Exist in the EEC?, The Law Society Gazette, 5 Nov. 1975, pp. 1111, 1112;P.L. Folmer, Legal Professional Privilege, in Jurist in bedrijf, Kluwer 1980, pp. 11-27 (in Dutch); Christopher Bellamy, Anglo-Saxon Experience, 141 IRCL (1980), pp. 13–15.

    Google Scholar 

  39. P.J. Duffy, Legal Privilege and Community Law, 132 NLJ (1982), pp. 580–582.

    Google Scholar 

  40. See Günter Püttner, Der Schutz wohlerworbener Rechte im Gemeinschaftsrecht — insbesondere bei Rücknahme rechtswidriger Verwaltungsakte — 10 EuR (1975), pp. 218–229.

    Google Scholar 

  41. See e.g. First Gervais-Danone Case (77/71), 15 Dec. 1971, consideration 8, [1971] ECR 1137; [19731 CMLR 427; CCH para 8125; on retroactivity see also Mann (op. cit., note 38) pp. 493-499, M. Letemendia, La rétroactivité en droit communautaire, comparaison avec le droit anglais, 13 CDE (1977), pp. 518–570 and Advocate-General Warner’s opinion in the IRCA Case (7/76), 7 July 1976, [19761 ECR 1235-1239.

    Google Scholar 

  42. See Ami Barav, La repetition de l’indu dans la jurisprudence de la Cour de Justice des Communautés européennes, 17 CDE (1981), pp. 507–538.

    Google Scholar 

  43. See James Flynn, Force Majeure Pleas in Proceedings Before the European Court, 6 ELRev. (1981), pp. 102–114.

    Google Scholar 

  44. See also J. Mertens de Wilmars, La jurisprudence de la Cour de justice comme instrument de l’intégration communautaire, 12 CDE (1976), pp. 135–148; Lord Mackenzie Stuart and J.P. Warner, Judicial Decision as a Source of Community Law, in Festschrift Kutscher, Nomos 1981, pp. 273-281.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Pierre Pescatore, Aspects judiciaires de l’«acquis communautaire», 17 RTDE (1981), pp. 617–651.

    Google Scholar 

  46. T. Koopmans, Stare decisis in European Law, in O’Keeffe-Schermers (ed.), Essays in European Law and Integration to mark the Silver Jubilee of the Europa Institute, Leiden, Kluwer 1982, pp. 11–27.

    Google Scholar 

  47. See Walter van Gerven, The Recent Case Law of the Court of Justice concerning Articles 30 and 36 of the EEC Treaty, 14 CMLRev. (1977), pp. 5–24.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Da Costa Case (23-30/62) 27 March 1963, [19631 ECR 37-39; 9 Jur. (1963) 77-79; 9 Rec. 75-77; (1963) CMLR 237, 238; CCH para 8010 (pp. 7238-7239). See below § 596: See also Peter Hay, Res Judicata and Precedent in the Court of Justice of the Common Market, 12 AJCL (1963), pp. 404–408.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. See Albert Bleckmann, Zur Funktion des Gewohnheitsrechts im Europäischen Gemeinschaftsrecht, 16 EuR (1981), pp. 101–123.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Albert Bleckmann, Die Position des Völkerrechts im inneren Rechtsraum der Europäischen Gemeinschaften, Monismus oder Dualismus der Rechtsordnungen, 18 Jahrbuch (1975), pp. 300-319; Karl M. Meessen, The Application of Rules of Public International Law within Community Law, 13 CMLRev.(1976), pp. 485–501.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Jean Paul Pietri, La valeur juridique des accords liant la Communauté économique européenne, 12 RTDE (1976), pp. 51–75, 194-214; Hans Krück, Völkerrechtliche Verträge im Recht der Europäischen Gemeinschaften, Springer Verlag 1977, 210 pages; Pierre Pescatore, L’application judiciaire des traités internationaux dans la Communauté européenne et dans ses Etats Membres in Mélanges Teitgen, to be published in 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  52. CFDT Case (66/76), 17 Feb. 1977, [1977] ECR 311; [1977] 1 CMLR 596. On this case, see E.A. Alkema, The EC and the European Convention of Human Rights — Immunity and Impunity for the Community?, 16 CMLRev. (1979), pp. 498–508.

    Google Scholar 

  53. Detlef Schumacher, Die Berücksichtigung nationalen Rechts durch Organe der Europäischen Gemeinschaften, NJW 1970, pp. 980-984; John A. Usher, The Influence of National Concepts on Decisions of the European Court, 1 ELRev. (1976), pp. 359–374.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Hans-Werner Rengeling, Europäisches Gemeinschaftsrecht und nationaler Rechtsschutz — unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Rechtsprechung des Europäischen Gerichtshofs und deutscher Gerichte, in Gedächtnisschrift Sasse, Vol. I, Nomos 1981, pp. 197–214.

    Google Scholar 

  55. See Hans G. Rupp, Judicial Review of International Agreements: Federal Republic of Germany, 25 AJCL (1977), pp. 286–302.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. See also J.P. Warner, The Relationship between European Community Law and the National Laws of Member States, 93 LQR (1977), pp. 349–366.

    Google Scholar 

  57. G.M. Borehardt, Structures d’accueil, Beschouwingen over de verhouding nationaal recht — gemeenschapsrecht in de zes oude Lid-Staten van de Europese Gemeenschappen, No. 3/78 Studentenscripties, Asser Instituut, the Hague 1977; Dominique Carreau, Droit communautaire et droits nationaux; concurrence ou primauté? 14 RTDE (1978), pp. 381–418.

    Google Scholar 

  58. Giacinto Bosco, Betrekkingen tussen het gemeenschapsrecht en het nationale recht, 34 T.B.P. (1979), pp. 275–285; John Usher, European Community Law and National Law, The Irreversible Transfer?, Studies on Contemporary Europe No. 3, George Allen & Unwin 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  59. A. Bleckmann, L’effet direct des normes et décisions de droit européen, in: Les recours des individus devant les instances nationales en cas de violation du droit européen, Colloque Bruxelles, 24 et 25 Avril 1975; Walter van Gerven, The Legal Protection of Private Parties in the Law of the European Economic Community, in Jacobs (op. cit., note 105), pp. 4-9; Marc Maresceau, De directe werking van het Europese Gemeenschapsrecht, Europese Monografie No 24, Kluwer 1978. Robert Kovar, L’intégrité de l’effet direct du droit communautaire selon la jurisprudence de la Cour de Justice de la Communauté in Gedächtnisschrift Sasse, Vol. I, Nomos 1981, pp. 151–169.

    Google Scholar 

  60. J. Steiner, Direct Applicability in EEC Law, 98 LQR (1982), pp. 229–248.

    Google Scholar 

  61. Marc Maresceau, De toepasbaarheid van het Europees recht voor de nationale rechterlijke instanties, 19 Tijdschrift voor Privaatrecht (1982), pp. 41–69.

    Google Scholar 

  62. See W. van Gerven, Contribution de l’arrêt Defrenne au dévelopment du droit communautaire, 13 CDE (1977), pp. 138–143.

    Google Scholar 

  63. K.R. Simmonds, Van Duyn v. Home Office: the direct effectiveness of directives, 24 ICLQ (1975), pp. 419–437.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  64. C.W.A. Timmermans, Directives: Their effect within the national legal system, 16 CMLRev. (1979), pp. 533–555.

    Google Scholar 

  65. A.J. Easson, The ‘Direct Effect’ of EEC Directives, 28 ICLQ (1979), pp. 319–353; Pierre Pescatore, L’effet des directives communautaires, une tentative de démythification, Rec.D 1980, pp. 171-176; Wyatt (op. cit., note 3), pp. 154-157; Fuss (op. cit., note 396) pp. 172-184.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. Ratti Case (148/78), 5 April 1979, considerations 18-24, [1979] ECR 1641, 1642. See also John V. Lyndon Morgan, The enforceability of national legislation and European Community Directives, 1 ICLFR (1980), pp. 451–454.

    Google Scholar 

  67. See A.J. Easson, Can directives Impose Obligations on Individuals?, 4 ELRev. (1979), pp. 67–79.

    Google Scholar 

  68. M. Maresceau, Het verbindend karakter van richtlijnen volgens de rechtspraak van het Hof van Justifie, 28 SEW, (1980), pp. 655–671; René Barents, Some remarks on the ‘horizontal’ effect of directives, in O’Keeffe-Schermers (op. cit. note 278), pp. 97-104.

    Google Scholar 

  69. See Henry G. Schermers, Indirect obligations, Four questions in respect of EEC obligations arising from rights or obligations of others, 24 NTIR (1977), pp. 260–273.

    Google Scholar 

  70. See also A.R. Leitao, L’effet direct des directives: une mythificationl 17 RTDE (1981), pp. 425–441.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Leiden, Netherlands

    Henry G. Schermers (Professor of Law)

Authors
  1. Henry G. Schermers
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1983 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Schermers, H.G. (1983). The Community legal order. In: Judicial Protection in the European Communities. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-4412-6_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-4412-6_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-6544-051-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-017-4412-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation