The General Court of the European Union is one of two courts of the Court of Justice of the European Union, the other being the European Court of Justice. The General Court was established in 1989 and is located in Luxembourg.
The main function of the General Court is to hear and decide on cases brought by individuals, companies, and member states against EU institutions and bodies, such as the European Commission or the Council of the European Union. These cases can involve a wide range of issues, including competition law, trade disputes, and human rights.
The General Court is made up of judges appointed by the member states of the European Union for renewable terms of six years. The number of judges is currently set at one judge per member state, but this number is subject to change as the EU expands or contracts.
Decisions of the General Court can be appealed to the Court of Justice of the European Union, which is the highest court in the EU's judicial system. The General Court also has the power to refer questions of EU law to the Court of Justice for a preliminary ruling.
The General Court plays a crucial role in ensuring that the EU's institutions and bodies act in accordance with EU law and respecting the rights of individuals and companies within the EU.
You can learn more about this topic and relevant case law with our EU Law notes.
