European Union Law

Working Hours

Working Time The EU working time directives lay down general requirements in relation to the organization of working time. It deals with provisions of daily, weekly, rest, annual leave, night work and shift work. Working time is the period during which the worker is working at the employer’s disposal and carrying out his activity and duties in accordance with national laws and practice.… Read the rest

Worker’s Treaty Rights

Free Movement of Workers The European Union Treaty guarantees the right of workers to move between member states of the European Union to seek employment. They must not be subjected to any discrimination based on nationality as regards employment, remuneration or conditions of employment.… Read the rest

Vertical Restraints

General Vertical restraints are agreements made between persons operating at different levels in the market, such as manufacturers and distributors. Vertical agreements come in a variety of forms including franchising agreements, distribution agreements and single branding agreements. … Read the rest

Various Companies Matters

Shareholders’ Voting Rights I A Company law directive establishes minimum requirements to facilitate the exercise of shareholder rights at a general meeting of listed companies, particularly on a cross-border EU basis. It takes account of the possibilities offered by modern technology.… Read the rest

Unfair Practices

Unfair Practices Directive The Unfair Commercial Practices Directive prohibits a wide range of potentially unfair practices. The unfair commercial practices directive applies to all business for consumer transactions in which the consumer is influenced by an unfair commercial practice which affects the decision as to whether or not to purchase the product or freedom of choice in the event of purchase on decisions as to whether or not to exercise a right under the contract.… Read the rest

The Council

The Council The Council of the European Union or the Council is one of the most important bodies within the European Union. The Council in conjunction with the European Parliament makes laws. The Council consists of a member of the government of each member state who has authority to commit the government of that state. … Read the rest

The Commission

The Institutions of the European Union The European Union treaties establish so-called supra-national institutions. These are independent bodies with their own legal identity with set powers and competences. Within the areas in which the EU treaties give the EU institutions legal powers or competences, the European Union bodies make enforce and administer laws and their courts interpret the laws where necessary.… Read the rest

Takeovers

General An EU Directive on takeover bids sets minimum guidelines for the conduct of takeover bids involving the securities of companies governed by the law of an EU state or where the securities are admitted to trading on a regulated EU market.… Read the rest

Shipping Services

Market in Sea Transport An EU regulation provides for freedom to supply services, competition and free access to the market in sea transport. A separate directive deals with the freedom to provide services in sea transport between states. … Read the rest

Ship Standards

Standards I An EU Directive provides a legal framework for prescribing harmonised safety rules and standards for passenger ships. The Directive applies to both passenger ships and crafts engaging on domestic voyages. It deals with new passenger ships, existing passenger ships of 24 m or more and high-speed passenger crafts.… Read the rest