Search results

AbstractThe aim of this chapter is to analyse the role of Advocates General in Grand Chamber cases. The latter are supposed to be the crème de la crème of the case law. Alas, this is not always the case as some of the judgments are poorly argued and with quite limited legal reasoning. This chapter demonstrates that formally the role of Advocates General in Grand Chamber cases is the same as in other cases where the Court of Justice sits in different compositions. Several examples are given proving that assistance of the Advocates General is sometimes followed and sometimes rejected by the Grand Chamber. However, a selection of judgments discussed in the last section of the chapter demonstrates another phenomenon. When the Grand Chamber limits the judicial discourse to the minimum it enhances the role of the Advocates General as their Opinions become the only source of reasoning. If that happens we are arguably dealing with assistance with the touch of substitution.

Research Handbook on EU Institutional Law offers a critical look into the European Union: its legal foundations, competences and institutions. It provides an analysis of the EU legal system, its application at the national level and the prevalent role of the Court of Justice. Throughout the course of the Handbook the expert contributors discuss whether the European Union is well well-equipped for the 21st century and the numerous crises it has to handle. They revisit the call for an EU reform made in the Laeken Conclusions in 2001 to verify if its objectives have been achieved by the Treaty of Lisbon and in daily practice of the EU institutions. The book also delves into the concept of a Europe of different speeds, which - according to some - is inevitable in the EU comprising 28 Member States. Overall, the assessment of the changes introduced by the Lisbon Treaty is positive, even if there are plenty of suggestions for further reforms to re-fit the EU for purpose. Students and scholars will find this original Handbook to be an invaluable resource, particularly due to its focus on topics for future discussion. Researchers and policy-makers will also benefit from the points raised in this book