Contents

I. INTRODUCTION

SECTION 1: CREATION AND EVOLUTION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

Background. The Schuman Plan and the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). The Treaties establishing the EEC and the EAEC and its amendments. The Single European Act. The Treaty on European Union. The Treaty of Amsterdam. The Treaty of Nice. The Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. The Treaty of Lisbon. The enlargement of the members. The withdrawal.

SECTION 2: THE EUROPEAN UNION: JURIDICAL NATURE AND REGULATION IN FORCE

The Treaty on European Union. The Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The legal personality of the Union.

SECTION 3: OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPLES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

The values of the Union. The objectives of the Union. The main policies. The fundamental principles: (a) the principle of democracy and respect for human rights, (b) respect for the national identity of the Member States, (c) the principle of solidarity. Flexibility: mechanisms and legal framework.

II.  INSTITUTIONS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

SECTION 4: INTRODUCTION TO THE INSTITUTIONS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

The institutional structure. The principle of institutional balance. The principle of transparency. Headquarters, staff and language regime. Privileges and immunities.

SECTION 5:THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL

Composition andfunctioning. The presidency. Functions.

SECTION 6: THE COUNCIL 

Composition, internal organization and functioning. Special reference to COREPER. Competences. Relations with the European Council.

SECTION 7:THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Composition, internal organization and principles. Competences: a) initiative, b) control, c) normative role: execution and delegation.

SECTION 8: THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Composition, internal organization and functioning. Competences: a) political control, b) legislative, c) budgetary, d) in external action.

SECTION 9: THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

The European Central Bank and the European System of Central Banks. Composition, internal organization and functioning. Competences.

SECTION 10: THE COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE EUROPEAN COURT OF AUDITORS

The Court of Justice: (a) composition and internal organization, (b) jurisdiction. II. The General Court: (a) organization, (b) jurisdiction and its relationship with the Court of Justice. III. The European Court of Auditors: (a) composition, (b) internal organization and functioning, (c) competences.

SECTION 11. EUROPEAN UNION BODIES

European Economic and Social Committee. European Committee of the Regions.  EU Administration by Agencies

III.  EUROPEAN UNION LEGAL SYSTEM

SECTION 12. EUROPEAN UNION COMPETENCES

Basis of the  EU competences: principle of conferral. Legal Basis. Types of competences. Principles governing the exercise of competences: Principle of subsidiarity, principle of proportionality.

SECTION 13. EUROPEAN UNION'S DECISION-MAKING PROCESS

Ordinary legislative procedure. Special legislative procedures. Specific procedures: A) budgetary procedure, B) procedure for the conclusion of international agreements.

SECTION 14.  INTRODUCTION OF THE SOURCES OF EUROPEAN LAW. PRIMARY LAW

Introduction to the sources of EU law. General Principles of Law. Primary Law: definition, content, features and functions. Scope of application; territorial, personal and temporal. Interpretation rules. Revision of the Treaties. Accession and withdrawal.  

SECTION 15. SECONDARY LAW

Definition. Features. Binding acts: a) regulations, b) directives,c) decisions. Non-binding acts: recommendations and opinions. Differences between Legislative, Delegated and Implementing acts.

SECTION 16. PRINCIPLES GUIDING THE RELATIONS BETWEEN EUROPEAN LAW AND NATIONAL LAW 

Direct applicability. The principle of direct effect of the EU law. The precedence principle: matter of the Fundamental Rights. Principle of Member State liability for breach of European law.

SECTION 17. LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EUROPEAN LAW

Implementation of the EU law by the EU Institutions and bodies. Implementation of EU laws by national authorities of the member States.  Implementation in geographically compex States: the Spanish case.

IV.  JUDICIAL GUARANTEE OF THE EUROPEAN LAW 

SECTION 18. JUDICIAL CONTROL

Functions of the National Courts jurisdiction and European Court jurisdiction. Character of the judicial control of the European Court of Justice and classification criteria. Features of the different proceedings. Proceedings before the Court of Justice and the General Court. Action for annulment. Actions for failure to fulfil obligations.

SECTION 19. PRELIMINARY RULINGS

Nature of references for a preliminary ruling. Features. Procedure. Effects

SECTION 20. NATIONAL COURTS AND  EUROPEAN UNION LAW  

Right to judicial protection and principle of procedural autonomy. Non-application of national rules which are contrary to European law and the interim protection provided by the national courts.