The Vice-President of the General Court of the European Union refuses the new request for the suspension of waiver of the parliamentary immunity of Mr Carles Puigdemont i Casamajó, Mr Antoni Comín i Oliveres and Ms Clara Ponsatí i Obiols On 13 January and 10 February 2020, the European Parliament received requests for waiver of […]
October infringements package: decision for Spain
In its regular package of infringement decisions, the European Commission pursues legal action against Member States for failing to comply with their obligations under EU law. These decisions, covering various sectors and EU policy areas, aim to ensure the proper application of EU law for the benefit of citizens and businesses. The decision adopted by […]
Traineeship at the Court of Justice of the European Communities
Every year, the Court of Justice of the European Communities offers a limited number of paid traineeships of a maximum duration of five months. Traineeships are generally undertaken in the Research and Documentation Directorate, the Press and Information Service, the Directorate-General for Translation or the Interpretation Directorate. Trainees are required to: be citizens of a […]
CJEU fines Poland €1 million per day for infringing the independence of judges
As it has not suspended the application of the provisions of national legislation relating, in particular, to the areas of jurisdiction of the Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court, Poland is ordered to pay the European Commission a daily penalty payment in an amount of €1 000 000 Compliance with the interim measures ordered on […]
CJEU: the sound produced when a beverage can is opened cannot be registered as a trademark since it has no distinctive character
The Court gives a ruling for the first time on the registration of a sound mark submitted in audio format An audio file containing the sound made by the opening of a drinks can, followed by silence and a fizzing sound, cannot be registered as a trade mark in respect of various drinks and for […]
EUROPEAN AGENDA: Legal Affairs
The European Union and its institutions are the main arena in which they focus, shape and plan what they face and how they will address many of the new regulatory challenges facing their societies. They therefore carry out valuable legislative proposals. To this end, we point out below significant events in this agenda: 24 March […]
Supporting initiatives in the Field of Drugs Policy
Scope Project applications submitted under the present call for proposals must address at least one of the following priorities: to support activities in the area of epidemiology of use of new psychoactive substances, including potent synthetic opioids, as well as emerging drug problems (notably on challenges related to cocaine and heroin use) and technological developments, […]
Ministers of justice confirm their commitment to Independence of justice and the rule of law
As the Council of Europe celebrates the 70th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Ministers of Justice of the 47 member States of the Organisation, meeting by videoconference under the Greek Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers, reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law. Speaking at the opening of the […]
The Council of Europe warns Spain by letter that its reform of the GPCJ deviates from European standards
Marin Mrčela, the president of the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) of the Council of Europe, has sent a letter to the Spanish delegation warning that the reform that the Spanish government wants to carry out regarding the election of the members of the General Council of the Judiciary, ” departs from the Council […]