Eu Law

As I have been recruited to work in the European Division I have been asked to discuss the roles and functions of the four main institutions of the European Union.

In order to obtain information for my findings I have gathered information from the following sources: Internet, Textbooks.

The European Union was formed in 1952 with six members, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. It was then called the European Coal and Steel Community aiming to promote development and cooperation in the aftermath of World War II. A number of treaties and agreements were signed over the years including The Merger Treaty combining the executive bodies of the European Coal and Steel Community, The European Atomic Energy Community and The European Economic Community into a single body known as the European Communities. Some people regard this Treaty as being the first steps of the modern European Union.

In 1973 the European Union expanded and many more countries including the United Kingdom joined.

The European Union is made up of 3 branches. The Executive, the Legislative and the Judicial Branch.

The Executive Branch consists of the European Council, The Council of the European Union and the European Commission that work to enforce the law. They are responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Unions treaties and a general day to day running of the Union.

The Legislative Branch has the power to make the laws. The Institutions in which have the authority to make the laws. Are the Council of Ministers and European Parliament. The Council of the European Union is the main decision making body, but European Parliament must approve decisions.

The Judicial Branch is responsible for interpreting the EU laws and treaties this branch consists of the Main Chamber, Court of Justice, and the Civil Service Tribunal in which resolves disputes among the EU institutes.

The Lisbon Treaty:

Over the years the European Union has...