Law & Justice

EU Commission Considers Action on Polish Court, Media Laws

January 04, 2016

The European Commission is discussing potential actions, including activating the EU Rule of Law Mechanism, established in 2014 to counter "systemic threats" to the rule of law, in response to Polish legislation on the composition of the country's Constitutional Court and on replacing the heads of the country's public broadcasters.
Article Highlights Complexity of EU Data Reform

December 30, 2015

An analysis of new EU data protection rules on The National Law Review points to the potential complexity and pitfalls for US technology companies that operate in Europe and must make substantial reforms in their handling of data over the coming years in order to comply.
EU Institutions Face Allegations of Whistleblower Retaliation

December 28, 2015

POLITICO reports that a number of complaints regarding retaliation against whistleblowers at EU institutions, including multiple allegations against the bloc's Agency for Fundamental Rights, highlight growing concerns that these entities are not implementing EU rules on protections for employees who report wrongdoing.
ECJ: Minimum Alcohol Pricing Violates EU Law

December 28, 2015

The Court of Justice of the EU ("ECJ") has declared that Scottish legislation setting out minimum prices for alcohol in order to limit over-drinking in the country violates EU law because it improperly restricts the market and could be accomplished through a less-restrictive alcohol tax.
Germany Threatens Legal Action for Ignoring Refugee Quotas

December 22, 2015

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has threatened to take to court countries, such as Slovakia and Hungary, that refuse to accept Syrian and North African refugees under a mandated EU quota system agreed over their objections last month.
EU Passenger Record Stokes Privacy Fears

December 22, 2015

In a recent article, Chris Muspratt of the euroskeptic campaign Get Britain Out expresses concerns that the EU's proposed Passenger Name Record, which would gather information about airline passengers traveling in the EU, would violate privacy protections without making citizens of EU countries safer.
Companies Will Deal with "Huge Reach" of EU Data Rules

December 22, 2015

The Wall Street Journal describes provisions from recently agreed EU data privacy regulations, including the expansion of the "right to be forgotten," heightened sanctions for data-privacy violations, and a "pan-European board of regulators," asserting that the rules will produce a "stricter and untested legal regime."
ECJ Overturns Airline Cartel Decision

December 21, 2015

Finding that the decision was "not entirely internally consistent," the Court of Justice of the EU ("ECJ") has overturned a large fine imposed on a set of airlines in 2010 by the European Commission for alleged collusion in passing on fuel and security costs to consumers.
EU Data Protection Deal Concerns Tech Companies

December 21, 2015

POLITICO reports that internet and other technological companies are opposing an agreement on a data-protection package among EU institutions that provides for stiff penalties in cases of failing to meet EU standards and expands consumers' so-called "right to be forgotten" online.
EU Proposal Ramps up Arms Control

December 18, 2015

Following the November terrorist attacks in Paris, Members of the European Parliament will debate proposals to centralize arms exports controls through the creation of a European Arms Control Authority, and to clamp down on the sales of semi-automatic weapons and of spare parts for firearms.