27th April, the European Commission took action to improve protection of journalists and human rights defenders from abusive court proceedings. Strategic lawsuits against public participation, commonly known as ‘SLAPPs’, are a particular form of harassment used primarily against journalists and human rights defenders to prevent or penalise speaking up on issues of public interest. The […]
Can a ticket seller refuse to refund cancellation fees?
Judgment C-96/21 of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), handed down on 5 April, specifies the cases in which the right of withdrawal does or does not apply. This is triggered due to the restrictions adopted by the German authorities amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a concert that was due to take place […]
Ukraine: Home Affair Ministers discuss reception of refugees
Main results Ministers met to discuss further coordination of the reception of refugees from Ukraine. Since 24 February 2022, around 3.8 million people, mainly women and children, have arrived in the European Union after fleeing from the war in Ukraine. Ministers took stock of the means of material and financial support deployed with regard to both their level […]
European justice again refuses to restore Puigdemont’s immunity
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: [toc] 24 […]