Administrative Law

What is the principle of legality in administrative law?

PAs must act only within legal limits

Which country uses regular courts with special branches for administrative law?

Germany

The Conseil d’État performs which functions?

Advises + decides admin law disputes

What’s the UK’s approach to admin justice?

Mix of tribunals + courts

Which country distinguishes between subjective rights and legitimate interests in admin law?

Italy

Who can issue legal opinions but does not decide cases in Spain?

Spanish Council of State

What makes the EU a 'sui generis' legal body?

It’s an integration-based IO with its own legal order

What symbol of the EU is based on ancient European culture?

The euro sign (€)

Which EU institution represents both citizens and states?

The entire EU system

What did the Schuman Declaration propose?

A joint coal and steel authority

What treaty gave the EU legal personality?

Lisbon

What type of EU law requires states to choose the form of implementation?

Directive

Which source of EU law is binding only on its addressees?

Decision

The EU can only act where competences have been…

Explicitly given in treaties

The principle of subsidiarity limits EU action to…

Situations where states can’t act effectively

If a directive is not transposed in time, what happens?

It can still be enforced vertically

Which of the following EU legal sources is never binding?

Recommendation

The principle of primacy means that…

EU law overrules all conflicting national law

What is required for a law to have direct effect?

It must be precise, clear, and unconditional

What is the main role of the CJEU?

Ensure uniform interpretation of EU law

Which court handles most first-instance legal cases brought by companies?

General Court

Advocates General at the Court of Justice…

Offer impartial legal opinions

Infringement procedures are launched by…

The European Commission

What is the purpose of a preliminary ruling?

Interpret EU law for national courts

What kind of act can be annulled under Article 263 TFEU?

Any legally binding EU act

If an EU institution fails to act when legally required, which action is appropriate?

Action for failure to act

What are the term lengths for CJEU judges?

6 years, renewable

What is the aim of an infringement procedure?

Force a member state to follow EU law

What must happen before bringing a 'failure to act' case?

The institution must be asked to act

Which of these is an example of an indirect remedy?

Preliminary ruling

Legal certainty means…

Citizens can plan based on clear, known rules

Which principle protects people from sudden policy changes?

Legitimate expectations

What is the principle of proportionality about?

Preventing excessive action

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for an annulment action?

Must be brought within 3 years

The institutional balance principle ensures…

No single institution dominates the others

Who proposes new EU legislation?

Commission

Which institution represents the EU’s citizens?

European Parliament

What is the role of the European Council?

Set political direction

Which institution handles monetary policy in the eurozone?

ECB

What distinguishes the Council of the EU from the European Council?

Council of the EU is law-making; European Council is political strategy

Which institution audits EU finances?

Court of Auditors

What is administrative justice?

The legal system allowing people to challenge public administration decisions.

What is the key legal principle in admin justice?

The principle of legality – public administrations must follow the law.

What court handles admin cases in France?

The Conseil d’État.

What are the two roles of the Conseil d’État?

It advises the government and judges admin law disputes.

How is the German admin system structured?

It uses judicial courts with special admin branches.

How does the UK handle admin justice?

Through tribunals and judicial review, not separate admin courts.

What is the principle of subsidiarity?

The EU acts only if objectives can't be achieved by individual states.

What is the principle of proportionality?

EU actions must not go beyond what is necessary.

What is legal certainty?

Laws must be clear, public, and predictable.

What are legitimate expectations?

Citizens can rely on consistent official behavior or promises.

What is a regulation in EU law?

A binding legal act that applies directly in all member states.

What is a directive in EU law?

A binding act on result; states choose how to implement it.

Do regulations have direct effect?

Yes – both vertical and horizontal.

Do directives have horizontal direct effect?

No – they can only be enforced vertically (against the state).

What does the European Commission do?

Proposes laws, enforces EU rules, manages budget.

What does the European Parliament do?

Represents citizens, shares legislative and budget power.

Who sits in the Council of the EU?

Ministers from each member state's government.

What is the role of the European Council?

Sets broad political direction and priorities.

What does the European Central Bank (ECB) do?

Controls the euro and sets monetary policy.

What is the role of the Court of Auditors?

Checks that EU money is used correctly.

What is the job of the CJEU?

Ensures EU law is interpreted and applied uniformly.

What is a preliminary ruling?

When a national court asks the CJEU how to interpret EU law.

What is an infringement procedure?

A case against a member state for not following EU law.

What is an annulment action?

A request to cancel an EU act that is illegal.

What is an action for failure to act?

A case brought because an EU institution didn’t fulfill a legal duty.

What is an action for damages?

A lawsuit for harm caused by illegal EU acts.

What does the principle of conferral mean in EU law?

The EU can only act within competences given to it by the treaties.

What are exclusive EU competences?

Areas where only the EU can legislate, e.g., customs union, eurozone.

What are shared competences?

Both the EU and member states can legislate, e.g., environment, energy.

What are supporting competences?

EU supports but does not replace member state actions, e.g., culture, education.

What is meant by double legitimacy in the EU?

EU law is legitimate because it represents both states and citizens.

What treaty introduced EU citizenship?

The Maastricht Treaty (1992).

What treaty gave the EU legal personality?

The Lisbon Treaty (2007).

What is the meaning of the EU flag?

Twelve stars represent perfection and unity.

When is Europe Day celebrated?

On May 9th, marking the Schuman Declaration.

What is the EU’s anthem?

Ode to Joy from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

What is the EU motto?

"United in diversity."

What is vertical direct effect?

An individual enforces EU law against the state.

What is horizontal direct effect?

An individual enforces EU law against another individual or company.

Why don't directives have horizontal direct effect?

They must be implemented by states and are binding only on them.

What happens if a directive is not implemented on time?

It may still have vertical direct effect.

Can a regulation be modified by national law?

No, it applies directly and fully without changes.

Who appoints judges to the CJEU?

By common agreement of member state governments.

What is the role of Advocates General?

They provide impartial legal opinions to assist the CJEU.

What is the difference between the Court of Justice and the General Court?

The Court of Justice handles appeals and key cases; the General Court handles first-instance matters.

What happens if the CJEU finds a state has breached EU law?

The state may face fines and must comply.

What is the purpose of institutional balance?

To prevent any one EU institution from overpowering others.

Can individuals bring annulment actions?

Yes, if the EU act directly affects them and they meet strict conditions.

Can individuals bring actions for damages against the EU?

Yes, under Article 268 TFEU if they suffer loss from an unlawful act.

What must happen before bringing a failure to act case?

The institution must first be formally requested to act.

Can national courts ignore EU law?

No, EU law has primacy and must be applied.

Can the CJEU review national law?

Only indirectly, through preliminary rulings.

What is the difference between the Council of the EU and the European Council?

Council of the EU passes laws with Parliament; European Council sets political direction.

What is the difference between a regulation and a directive?

Regulations apply directly and fully; directives need national implementation.

How does the preliminary ruling mechanism protect EU law?

It ensures national courts apply EU law uniformly by asking the CJEU to interpret it.

Why is the principle of subsidiarity important?

It prevents the EU from acting when states can achieve the objective themselves.

Why is institutional balance important?

To make sure no EU institution dominates others, preserving democratic functioning.

What is qualified majority voting in the Council?

A method where most decisions pass with 55% of states representing 65% of the population.

Can the European Parliament initiate legislation?

No, only the Commission can propose new EU laws.