EU glossary terms

Browse full definitions for every EU term in the Amicus glossary.

Eu Banking Law

/ˌjuː ˈbæŋkɪŋ lɔː/

Definitions

  1. (n.) The body of European Union laws and regulations governing the operation, supervision, and integration of banking institutions within member states to ensure financial stability, consumer protection, and market integrity.
    The directive introduced new capital requirements under EU banking law to enhance bank resilience.

Forms

  • eu banking law

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Commentary

EU Banking Law encompasses multiple directives and regulations harmonizing banking rules across member states; practitioners should reference specific instruments for detailed provisions.

Eu Financial Law

/ˌjuː ˈfɪnænʃəl lɔː/

Definitions

  1. (n.) The body of law governing financial regulations, markets, institutions, and instruments within the European Union framework.
    Eu financial law dictates the regulatory standards for cross-border banking activities in member states.
  2. (n.) Rules and directives relating to the EU's budgetary and monetary policies, including its enforcement mechanisms.
    Understanding eu financial law is essential for compliance with the EU's fiscal governance.

Forms

  • eu financial law

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Commentary

Eu financial law spans both regulatory frameworks governing financial markets and the EU's internal financial management; clarity is needed when referring to specific subfields or instruments.

Eu Law

/ˌjuː lɔː/

Definitions

  1. (n.) Body of law governing the European Union, including treaties, regulations, directives, and decisions.
    Businesses must comply with EU law when operating across member states.

Forms

  • eu law

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Commentary

EU law is distinguished by its supremacy over conflicting national laws in member states and its direct effect in certain circumstances.

Eu Monetary Policy

/ˌjuː ˌmʌnɪˈtɛri ˈpɒlɪsi/

Definitions

  1. (n.) The framework and actions undertaken by the European Central Bank and EU institutions to control money supply, interest rates, and inflation in the Eurozone.
    The EU monetary policy aims to maintain price stability across member states using interest rate adjustments.

Forms

  • eu monetary policy

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Commentary

EU monetary policy is centralized within the Eurozone through the European Central Bank, distinct from member states' national monetary policies.

Eu Regulation

/ˌiːˈjuː ˌrɛɡjʊˈleɪʃən/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A legally binding act adopted by the European Union institutions that is directly applicable and enforceable in all EU member states without national implementation.
    The EU Regulation on data protection standardizes privacy rules across member countries.

Forms

  • eu regulation
  • eu regulations

Commentary

EU Regulations differ from EU Directives in that Regulations have direct applicability and immediate legal effect in all member states, requiring no transposition into national law.

Eu Securities Regulation

/ˌjuː ˈsɪkjʊərɪtiz ˌrɛɡjʊˈleɪʃən/

Definitions

  1. (n.) The body of European Union laws and regulations governing the issuance, trading, and oversight of securities to ensure market integrity and investor protection within the EU.
    The EU securities regulation aims to prevent market abuse and enhance transparency in capital markets.

Forms

  • eu securities regulation

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Commentary

EU securities regulation integrates multiple directives and regulations, requiring careful cross-referencing in drafting to ensure compliance with both local and EU-wide rules.

Eu Tax Law

/ˌiːˈjuː ˈtæks lɔː/

Definitions

  1. (n.) The body of laws and regulations governing taxation within the European Union, including directives, regulations, and case law affecting member states.
    Businesses operating across borders must comply with EU tax law to avoid penalties.

Related terms

Commentary

EU tax law is complex due to the overlap of national and supranational rules; practitioners should note the role of the Court of Justice of the EU in interpreting tax directives and ensuring compliance.

Euphemism

/ˈjuː.fəˌmɪ.zəm/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered harsh or blunt, often used in legal contexts to soften potentially offensive or sensitive topics.
    The legal document employed a euphemism to describe the termination of employment as a "separation."

Forms

  • euphemisms

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Commentary

Use of euphemisms in legal drafting should be clear enough to avoid ambiguity while softening language, balancing precision and sensitivity.

Euratom

/ˈjʊərəˌtɒm/

Definitions

  1. (n.) An international organization established to coordinate nuclear energy development among European Union member states.
    The Euratom Treaty governs the peaceful use of nuclear energy in Europe.

Forms

  • euratom

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Commentary

Often referenced in the context of EU law and nuclear energy regulation, Euratom is a legal entity distinct from the EU itself but linked through treaty arrangements.

Euratom Treaty

/ˈjʊərəˌtɒm ˈtriːti/

Definitions

  1. (n.) An international agreement establishing the European Atomic Energy Community to coordinate nuclear energy development among member states.
    The Euratom Treaty facilitates cooperation on nuclear research and safety within the EU.

Forms

  • euratom treaty

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Commentary

Often referenced alongside EU foundational treaties; important to distinguish Euratom Treaty from general EU treaties due to its specific nuclear focus.

Euribor

/ˈjʊərɪbɔːr/

Definitions

  1. (n.) The Euro Interbank Offered Rate, an average interest rate at which European banks lend unsecured funds to each other, used as a benchmark in financial contracts.
    The loan agreement specified an interest rate tied to Euribor plus a fixed margin.

Forms

  • euribor
  • euribors

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Commentary

Euribor serves as a widely recognized reference rate in European financial law and contracts, requiring careful drafting to specify which Euribor tenor applies.

European Atomic Energy Community

/ˌjʊərəˈpiːən əˈtɒmɪk ˈɛnərdʒi kəˈmjuːnɪti/

Definitions

  1. (n.) An international organization established to coordinate nuclear energy development in Europe and promote peaceful use of atomic energy among member states.
    The European Atomic Energy Community facilitates research collaboration on nuclear safety standards.

Forms

  • european atomic energy community

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Commentary

Often abbreviated as Euratom, this entity forms part of the EU legal framework but maintains separate treaties and institutions.

European Central Bank

/ˌjʊərəˈpiːən ˈsɛntrəl bæŋk/

Definitions

  1. (n.) The central bank for the eurozone, responsible for monetary policy and maintaining price stability within the EU member states that use the euro.
    The European Central Bank decided to keep interest rates unchanged to control inflation.

Forms

  • european central bank

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Commentary

The term specifically denotes the EU institution managing the euro area's monetary policy; drafting should clarify its jurisdiction within the eurozone and distinguish it from national central banks.

European Coal and Steel Community

/ˌjʊərəˈpiːən koʊl ænd stiːl kəˈmjunɪti/

Definitions

  1. (n.) An international organization established in 1951 to regulate industrial production under a centralized authority, precursor to the European Union.
    The European Coal and Steel Community laid the groundwork for economic integration in post-war Europe.

Forms

  • european coal and steel community

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Commentary

Often abbreviated as ECSC, the Community is significant for its pioneering supranational governance model in international law.

European Commission

/ˌjʊərəˈpiːən kəˈmɪʃən/

Definitions

  1. (n.) The executive branch of the European Union responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, and managing day-to-day EU affairs.
    The European Commission proposed new regulations to improve environmental standards across member states.

Forms

  • european commission

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Commentary

The term refers specifically to the EU's executive organ distinct from other EU institutions; commonly used in contexts involving EU governance and regulatory frameworks.

European Communities Act

/ˌjʊərəˈpiːən kəˈmjuːnɪtiz ækt/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A UK statute enacted in 1972 that incorporated European Community law into domestic law, enabling direct effect and supremacy of EC law within the UK legal system until repealed in 2020.
    The European Communities Act 1972 allowed European law to have direct effect within the UK.

Forms

  • european communities act
  • european communities acts

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Commentary

Often cited to illustrate the concept of incorporation of international law into domestic law; repealed by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

European Community

/ˌjʊərəˈpiːən kəˈmjuːnɪti/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A regional organization established to foster economic integration among its member states, originally founded in 1957 and later incorporated into the European Union structure.
    The European Community played a foundational role in shaping EU policies before its functions were absorbed by the European Union.

Forms

  • european community

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Commentary

The term refers to the legal entity predating and subsumed by the European Union; usage today is mostly historical or in a legacy context.

European Competition Law

/ˌjʊərəˈpiːən kəmˈpɛtɪʃən lɔː/

Definitions

  1. (n.) The body of laws and regulations enforced by the European Union to promote fair competition and prevent anti-competitive practices within its internal market.
    European Competition Law prohibits cartels and abuse of dominant market positions to protect consumer welfare.

Forms

  • european competition law

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Commentary

European Competition Law primarily addresses practices that distort competition in the EU, such as cartels and abuse of dominance, and is enforced by the European Commission.

European Convention on Human Rights

/ˌjʊərəˈpiːən kənˈvɛnʃən ɒn ˈhjuːmən raɪts/

Definitions

  1. (n.) An international treaty to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in Europe, established by the Council of Europe in 1950.
    The European Convention on Human Rights guarantees the right to a fair trial.

Forms

  • european convention on human rights

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Commonly abbreviated as ECHR; it serves as a foundation for many national human rights protections within member states.

European Council

/ˌjʊərəˈpiːən ˈkaʊnsl/

Definitions

  1. (n.) The principal EU institution comprising heads of state or government of member states, setting the EU's political agenda.
    The European Council meets quarterly to define the EU's overall policy direction.

Forms

  • european council

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Commentary

Often distinguished from the Council of the European Union; the European Council provides strategic leadership rather than legislative functions.

European Court of Human Rights

/ˌjʊərəˈpiːən kɔːrt ʌv ˈhjuːmən raɪts/

Definitions

  1. (n.) An international court established by the European Convention on Human Rights to oversee enforcement of the Convention and ensure member states' compliance with human rights obligations.
    The European Court of Human Rights delivered a judgment condemning the state's violation of freedom of expression.

Forms

  • european court of human rights
  • european courts of human rights

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Commentary

Commonly abbreviated as ECtHR; decisions are binding on member states of the Council of Europe.

European Economic Area

/ˌjʊərəˈpiːən iˈkɒnəˌmɪk ˈɛəriə/

Definitions

  1. (n.) An international agreement extending the European Union's internal market to member states of the European Free Trade Association, allowing free movement of persons, goods, services, and capital.
    Norway is a member of the European Economic Area, enabling it to participate in the EU's single market without EU membership.

Forms

  • european economic area
  • european economic areas

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Commentary

Often abbreviated as EEA; it is essential to distinguish the EEA from the EU itself, as EEA members participate in the internal market without full EU membership.

European Economic Community

/ˌjʊərəˈpiːən iːˈkɒnəmɪk kəˈmjuːnɪti/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A regional organization established in 1957 to promote economic integration among its member states, which later evolved into the European Union.
    The European Economic Community laid the foundation for the modern EU single market.

Forms

  • european economic community

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Commentary

The EEC is historically significant as a precursor to the European Union, primarily focused on economic integration rather than political union.

European Medicines Agency

/ˌjʊərəˈpiːən ˈmɛdɪsɪnz ˈeɪdʒənsi/

Definitions

  1. (n.) The regulatory agency of the European Union responsible for the evaluation and supervision of medicinal products for human and veterinary use.
    The European Medicines Agency approved the new vaccine after a thorough review process.

Forms

  • european medicines agency

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Commentary

Often abbreviated as EMA; critical in EU pharmaceutical regulatory framework and legislation compliance.

European Monetary Union

/ˌjʊərəˈpiːən ˈmɒnɪtəri ˈjuːnjən/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A legal and economic agreement among certain European Union member states to coordinate monetary policies and adopt a single currency, the euro.
    The European Monetary Union facilitates seamless trade and economic policy coordination among its member countries.

Forms

  • european monetary union

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Commentary

The term specifically denotes the group of EU countries sharing a common currency and coordinated monetary policy, distinct from the broader European Union.

European Parliament

/ˌjʊərəˈpiːən ˈpɑːrləmənt/

Definitions

  1. (n.) The directly elected legislative institution of the European Union responsible for enacting laws, supervising other EU bodies, and approving budgets.
    The European Parliament voted to approve the new trade agreement.

Forms

  • european parliament

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Commentary

Often referred to simply as 'the Parliament' in EU contexts; distinguish from national parliaments.

European Parliament Legislation

/ˌjʊərəˈpiːən ˈpɑːrləmənt ˌlɛdʒɪsˈleɪʃən/

Definitions

  1. (n.) Legislative instruments, including regulations, directives, and decisions, adopted by the European Parliament as part of the EU law-making process.
    The European Parliament legislation on data protection set new standards for privacy across member states.

Forms

  • european parliament legislation

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Commentary

This term specifically refers to legislative acts passed by the European Parliament, distinct from other EU institutions' acts; drafting should clarify the specific legislative form when relevant.

European System of Central Banks

/[ˌjʊərəˈpiːən ˈsɪstəm əv ˈsɛntrəl bæŋks]/

Definitions

  1. (n.) An institutional framework comprising the European Central Bank and the national central banks of EU member states participating in the euro area, responsible for monetary policy and financial stability within the Eurozone.
    The European System of Central Banks manages the euro and ensures price stability across member countries.

Forms

  • european system of central banks

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Commentary

The term specifically denotes the collective structure involving the ECB and national central banks, distinct from the ECB alone; important in contexts of EU financial regulation and monetary policy.

European Union

/ˌjʊərəˈpiːən ˈjuːnjən/

Definitions

  1. (n.) Supranational political and economic union of member states primarily located in Europe, established to promote integration and common policies.
    The European Union enacted new regulations to standardize data protection across member countries.

Forms

  • european union

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Commentary

The term typically refers to the legal entity constituted by treaties among member states; use precise references when discussing its institutions or competences.

European Union Directives

/ˌjʊərəˈpiːən ˈjuːnjən dɪˈrɛktɪvz/

Definitions

  1. (n.) Legislative acts issued by the European Union that require member states to achieve a particular result without dictating the means of achieving it.
    The member states must transpose the European Union directives into national law within the specified deadline.

Forms

  • european union directives
  • european union directive

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Commentary

Directives are binding as to the result but allow flexibility in implementation, commonly used to harmonize laws across EU member states.

European Union Emissions Trading Scheme

/ˌjʊərəˈpiːən ˈjuːnjən ɪˈmɪʃənz ˈtrædɪŋ skiːm/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A cap-and-trade system implemented by the European Union to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by allowing the trading of emission allowances among regulated entities.
    The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme incentivizes companies to lower their carbon emissions through market mechanisms.

Forms

  • european union emissions trading scheme

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Commentary

The term specifically refers to the EU-wide system established as a key instrument of climate policy; precision in referring to the 'scheme' is important since it distinguishes this trading system from other national or regional carbon markets.

European Union Law

/ˌjʊərəˈpiːən ˈjuːnjən lɔː/

Definitions

  1. (n.) The body of treaties, regulations, directives, and case law governing the European Union and its member states.
    European Union law regulates trade, competition, and fundamental rights within the member states.

Forms

  • european union law

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Commentary

EU law is unique for its supranational character, directly affecting member states and individuals, and often requires differentiation between primary and secondary legislation.

European Union Regulations

/ˌjʊərəˈpiːən ˈjuːnjən ˌrɛɡjʊˈleɪʃənz/

Definitions

  1. (n.) Binding legislative acts of the European Union that are directly applicable in all member states without need for national implementation.
    The European Union regulations on data protection must be followed by all member states immediately after adoption.

Forms

  • european union regulations
  • european union regulation

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Commentary

Unlike directives, EU regulations are self-executing and have immediate legal effect in all EU member states, thus ensuring uniform application of EU law.

Eurozone

/ˈjʊərəʊˌzəʊn/

Definitions

  1. (n.) The group of European Union member states that have adopted the euro as their official currency, forming a monetary and economic union.
    The eurozone enforces coordinated fiscal policies among its member states to ensure economic stability.

Forms

  • eurozone

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Commentary

Legally, the eurozone is significant as it involves treaties and regulations concerning monetary policy, economic governance, and the legal framework of currency use among member states.

Euthanasia

/ˌjuːθəˈneɪʒə/

Definitions

  1. (n.) The practice of intentionally ending a life to relieve pain and suffering, typically under legal regulation or prohibition.
    The court examined whether the defendant’s actions constituted lawful euthanasia or criminal homicide.

Forms

  • euthanasia

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Commentary

Legal treatment of euthanasia varies widely; precise statutory language is crucial to distinguish it from unlawful killing.

Glossary – EU Terms