EU Law

Latest business news about EU law, legal issues and the European Court of Justice

Crucifix-wearing British woman wins European court case — 15 January 2013, 17:49 CET

A British Airways employee banned from wearing a crucifix said she felt "vindicated" after she won her case at the European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday.

Jail sentence for Austrian ex-MEP caught in sting — 14 January 2013, 23:10 CET

An Austrian former member of the European Parliament was sentenced Monday to four years in prison for corruption after being secretly filmed offering to change EU legislation for money.

Undercover reporters testify at EU lawmaker's graft trial — 14 January 2013, 17:19 CET

Two British journalists who went undercover to expose corruption gave damaging testimony Monday in the trial of an Austrian former EU lawmaker, claiming he had offered to influence legislation for money.

EU, US agree to share cybercrime data as new unit opens — 13 January 2013, 23:28 CET

The European Union and the US agreed Friday to share more data on cross-border cybercriminals at the opening of a new hi-tech unit aimed at helping police catch up with increasingly imaginative criminals.

Greek parliament to approve tax change under rescue terms — 11 January 2013, 13:00 CET

Greece's parliament was expected late on Friday to approve a new tax bill, part of the latest batch of fiscal reforms tied to the country's next slice of EU loans.

Bahrain condemned for 'harsh' activist sentences — 08 January 2013, 21:37 CET

The United Nations and the European Union on Tuesday slammed a decision by Bahrain's highest appeals court to uphold lengthy prison terms against opposition activists.

Greece to enact reforms tied to EU loans — 04 January 2013, 17:23 CET

Greece must enact a new batch of fiscal reforms in time to earn its next slice of EU loans later this month, Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras said on Friday.

Bulgaria names new top prosecutor despite EU concerns — 21 December 2012, 12:34 CET

Bulgaria's top judicial body has elected a new chief national prosecutor despite criticism he is too close to the government, even as the European Commission is closely monitoring the country's judiciary.

EU crackdown on tobacco stops short of plain packets — 20 December 2012, 12:51 CET

With menthol cigarettes to be banned and cigarette packs sold with repulsive images of rotting lungs, the European Union has released new anti-tobacco proposals, the first in over a decade.

European Insolvency Law — 13 December 2012, 18:21 CET

European Insolvency Law is laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1346/2000 on insolvency proceedings (the "Insolvency Regulation"), which has applied since 31 May 2002. The Regulation contains rules on jurisdiction, recognition and applicable law and provides for the coordination of insolvency proceedings opened in several EU Member States. The Regulation applies whenever the debtor has assets or creditors in more than one Member State.

Hollande hails EU banking deal as 'major' and 'global' — 13 December 2012, 16:39 CET

French President Francois Hollande hailed on Thursday a EU banking agreement reached overnight that European Union officials hope will ring-fence banks in trouble to prevent future crises, terming it a "global" and "major agreement."

Merkel praises EU bank deal, urges payment to Athens — 13 December 2012, 12:02 CET

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday praised a new EU accord to create a supervisor to oversee banks across the eurozone and urged the release of urgently needed funds for Greece.

Bank watchdog deal boosts EU before Greek fund accord — 13 December 2012, 10:46 CET

The EU looks set to end a difficult year on a high note, clearing bailout funds for Greece on Thursday to tame the debt crisis at its heart after agreeing a key bank oversight deal to bolster the union.

EU battles to bridge gulf on bank supervision — 12 December 2012, 21:32 CET

EU finance ministers battled Wednesday to nail down a deal on a controversial single supervisor for banks as France, Germany, and even non-euro Britain, talked up the chances of a compromise.

EU hopeful can bridge gulf on bank supervision — 12 December 2012, 17:16 CET

EU finance ministers expressed confidence Wednesday of nailing down a deal on a controversial single supervisory system for banks amid signs of an emerging French-German compromise.

Berlin eyes deal on EU bank supervision — 12 December 2012, 16:36 CET

Germany believes a breakthrough is possible in talks among European finance ministers later on Wednesday on a broader system of banking supervision in Europe, a senior government official said.

EU court official urges dismissal of FIFA, UEFA's TV appeal — 12 December 2012, 21:34 CET

EU nations have the right to declare major sporting events to be of national importance and so available to all for free, says a top EU legal official, rejecting an appeal by FIFA and UEFA, the world's two top football associations.

Ukraine deputy prosecutor 'banned from entering US' — 11 December 2012, 17:06 CET

Ukraine's deputy prosecutor general, a key figure in the legal campaign against jailed former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, said Monday that the United States had cancelled his five-year entry visa.

French 'gruyere' gets EU trademark go-ahead — 07 December 2012, 14:33 CET

French producers of "Gruyere" cheese have won recognition for their produce under an all-important regional trading name system but it will have to have holes, unlike Swiss Gruyere.

EU to clamp down on tax evasion — 06 December 2012, 17:29 CET

EU governments lose a "scandalous" one trillion euros a year to tax dodgers and that has to stop now to prevent further damage to state finances and the economy, the European Commission said on Thursday.

Brussels looks to upgrade copyright for digital economy — 05 December 2012, 18:55 CET

The European Commission on Wednesday said it had agreed how to move ahead in modernising copyright to protect authors and artists in the digital economy.

EU, US in 'global alliance' to hit web child sex — 05 December 2012, 18:55 CET

The European Union, the United States and a score of other countries have launched a "global alliance" to stamp out trade in online images and videos of child sexual abuse.

EU Parliament head calls for free trade with US — 28 November 2012, 10:15 CET

European Parliament president Martin Schulz on Tuesday called for a free trade deal between the EU and the United States that could bolster struggling economies on both sides of the Atlantic.

Gruesome Kosovo probe held under tight security — 27 November 2012, 19:07 CET

Visitors need 24-hour security clearance, grizzled Belgian guards man the entrance, no phones or cameras please: welcome to the latest, and probably the last, of the big Balkans war crimes probes.

Euro rescue fund respects treaties: EU top court — 27 November 2012, 23:30 CET

The EU's highest court ruled on Tuesday that the European Stability Mechanism, the permanent euro rescue fund created to try and prevent repeats of the Greek debt crisis, does not breach EU treaties.