European Courts of Justice

The European Courts of Justice, also known under the abbreviation of ECJ, is a judicial authority part of the European Union. It is the highest power of jurisdiction amongst the constitutional bodies of the European Union, and it judges on matters relating to all member states. Its power succeeds an attachment to the Treaty of Lisbon, annexed in 2007. The courts’ structure includes a judge from each member state, and the institution has the power to alter decisions taken by member states’ Supreme Courts or legislative bodies. The focus of the European Courts of Justice is on matters relating to law, as it is one of the many different institutions that make up the European Union today. In the past, its authority regarding the power it holds over member states was widely questioned. In the UK, the courts may interfere on final decisions taken by the House of Lords. After 1688 with the passing of the Bill of Rights, the UK parliament was to be understood to possess supreme judicial power, however, the potential influence of a foreign body over parliament was cause for concern in many instances.