European law

The set of norms adopted by the European Union that regulates the laws in the EU area that aims to homogenize the legal systems in the territory of the Union.

  The union consists of: Parliament which has the role of legislation, the Council that formulates norms next to the Parliament and the European Commission which has the role of the executive (like a government), checks the application of the norms.

European Court of Justice

The Court of Justice is the main European judicial body and ensures the uniform application and interpretation of competition law throughout the EU. The national courts ask CJEU questions for the correct interpretation and application of European law.

  Over time, the CJEU has taken many decisions that have had important effects on the daily lives of European citizens; and which have contributed to the establishment of effective legislation throughout the EU.

  National Courts; they may (and sometimes are required) to send some files to the CJEU to determine how competition rules should be interpreted in certain specific cases.

  In a dispute if the file is sent to the CJEU until the settlement, the trial is suspended. The most important thing is for the lawyer to know that he can ask the judge this and be vigilant to discover the violations of European law.

European Central Bank

The ECB is the central bank for the euro world. Its main obligation is to maintain the purchasing power of the euro and thus to ensure the stability of prices in the euro area (16 EU countries have adopted the euro since 1999).

The European Central Bank is regularly consulted on certain aspects of competition in the financial sector.

Court of Auditors

The role of the Court of Auditors is to verify the use of EU funds and their collection, defending the financial interests of the citizens of the Union.

The Court of Auditors can verify the fines imposed on companies that are responsible for anti-competitive behavior, in cases reported by the Commission.

The money coming from fines is poured into the EU budget.

European Economic and Social Committee

It is an EU advisory body, representing trade unions, employers’ associations and other civil society groups.

Within the Committee, the “Single Market, Production and Consumption” section is particularly concerned with competition policy and consumer protection.