General principles of law as a source of European Union law

Abstract

The general principles of law are unwritten source of European Union law, derived in the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union. They have particular significance in the context of the formation and the development of the legal system of European integration, giving particular expression to its autonomy vis-à-vis domestic and international law and having a determining importance for the structuring and consolidation of the integration legal order. The general principles of law give rise to specific rules binding on the EU institutions, the authorities of the Member States and, in some cases, on private law subjects. Compliance with them may be the subject of legality review before the CJEU or national courts in connection with the adoption and the application of EU law. They can serve as a guide in the interpretation of provisions of primary or secondary law, as well as justifying ground for the liability of the Union or the Member States for damage caused to private parties. Although the positive legal framework of European integration has grown considerably over the years, and the EU institutional system has various norm-setting mechanisms, some of which allow EU law to be amended quickly and effectively, general principles of law remain undoubtedly a source of crucial importance, which will continue to play a determining role in the evolution of European integration and its legal system.

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