The Legal Benefits of the Lisbon Treaty
Published December 2009
The Lisbon Treaty, which came into force on 1st December, should streamline legislative procedures across the EU and widen access to the European courts for both businesses and individuals.
According to the Law Society, this will result in more challenges in European courts, as the treaty makes it simpler for businesses and individuals to contest the legality of certain EU Regulatory acts.
The treaty highlights the EU’s power to legislate in family and criminal law – enabling the mutual recognition and enforcement across the EU of criminal convictions from any of the constituent countries – and underlines the development of alternative methods of dispute resolution.
It also strengthens the European Union’s powers with respect to future amendments to energy, intellectual property and data protection laws.
