Law & Justice

EC Plans Legislation on Global Data Access

March 19, 2018

Reuters reports that the European Commission (EC) is planning to propose legislation that would permit law-enforcement officials in the EU the authority to access the personal data of anyone in the world held on servers outside the supranational bloc, including by American tech companies Google and Microsoft.
Merkel Calls for Linking EU Funding with Migrant Acceptance

March 09, 2018

Reuters reports that, in a recent address to the Bundestag, German Chancellor Angela Merkel indicated that Brexit offers a major opportunity to overhaul the EU's financial framework, including by linking the provision of development funds to European countries and regions with the acceptance and integration of migrants.
Bershidsky: EU's Google Case Does Not Help Consumers

March 07, 2018

Leonid Bershidsky writes that changes in Google's products and services brought about by EU antitrust sanctions against the company have done nothing to change the dynamics of tech competition and raise concerns that EU antitrust regulation is not helping European consumers and small businesses.
EU Official Pressures Tech Companies on Consumer Policies

March 06, 2018

Reuters reports that European Commissioner for justice Věra Jourová has called on internet platforms Facebook, Twitter, and Google to do more to comply with EU consumer regulations by amending rules including those limiting their liability and informing users about content removal, as she pushed for sanctions in the case of non-compliance.
ECJ Receives Case on Brexit's Citizenship Impacts

February 14, 2018

Bloomberg reports that a Dutch court has announced it will refer to the Court of Justice of the EU (ECJ) the question whether EU members must restrict the rights granted to Britons through their EU citizenship, including the right to move freely in the EU, if the EU and UK do not reach a deal on withdrawal prior to Brexit.
Scottish Court Rejects Case on Revocation of Brexit

February 13, 2018

Reuters reports that Scotland's Court of Session has dismissed a lawsuit aiming ultimately to produce a judgment by the Court of Justice of the EU (ECJ) stating that the UK Parliament has the authority to revoke the notification of its intent to leave the EU.
EU Body Supports Sanctions Process Against Poland

February 08, 2018

The European Committee on the Regions has adopted a resolution supporting a decision by the European Commission to initiate an EU sanctions process against Poland over the country's recent judicial reforms that could result in Poland losing its voting rights in the EU Council, while opposing separate proposals to link development funds to rule-of-law principles.
EU Chief Threatens Romania over Judicial Reforms

February 05, 2018

EUobserver reports that European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has warned Romania that, if the country's Parliament passes legislation providing for a body to block the prosecution of some politicians, he may extend EU oversight of the Romanian judiciary and postpone consideration of the country's inclusion in the passport-free Schengen travel area.
EC: Malta, Romania Violated Rules on Alternative Fuels

February 02, 2018

The European Commission (EC) has referred Romania and Malta to the Court of Justice of the EU (ECJ) for their alleged failure to provide the proper notification of their plans to implement EU rules on deploying "alternative fuels infrastructure," including recharging stations for electric cars and natural gas refueling points.
EC Files Complaint over Portugal Habitat Protection

February 02, 2018

The European Commission (EC) has filed a complaint against the Portuguese government for failing to comply with EU legislation requiring it to identify various "Special Areas of Conservation" within the country and to adopt measures protecting habitats and species within these sites.