European Papers (Apr 2023)
The Preliminary Ruling Procedure 2.0
Abstract
(Series Information) European Papers - A Journal on Law and Integration, 2023 8(1), 25-42 | European Forum Insight of 19 April 2023 | (Series Information) European Papers (News of dd month yyyy) | (Table of Contents) I. Introduction. - II. How did we get here? - III. What is the General Court supposed to get? - IV. When is a matter specific and exclusive? - V. When should the General Court refer the matter back to the Court of Justice? - VI. Which way, national courts? - VII. Conclusion. | (Abstract) The end of 2022 saw the publication of the proposal for reform of the preliminary ruling procedure, drafted by the Court of Justice of the EU. If the proposal goes through, it will bring about one of the most significant changes in the EU judicial system in its seventy years’ history. In this Insight, I start with an overview of the background to this reform proposal in order to provide the relevant context, before turning to its content. The focus is on specific areas of EU law in which the General Court would acquire jurisdiction in the preliminary ruling procedure. Then I discuss some downsides of the proposed distribution of powers between the Court of Justice and the General Court and suggest certain adjustments to the practice of the two courts to make the reformed preliminary ruling mechanism respond better to its objectives. Before concluding, I also reflect on the possible impact of the reform on the most numerous members of the EU judicial system – national courts.
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