Transparency ruling challenges EU states

In an important transparency case brought by Access Info Europe the European Court of Justice announced its final judgement on the 17 October 2013. The ECJ rejected arguments by the Council of the European Union that it should be able to keep secret the identities of Member States making proposals in the context of negotiations on future EU legislation.

The ruling – by the highest court of the EU - in an important legal battle for greater transparency of the legislative process in Brussels in line with the EU treaties which require the European Parliament and the Council to 'ensure publication of the documents relating to the legislative procedures'.

• Primary Source

Website: Access Info Europe http://www.access-info.org/

Access Info Europe: Press Release, 17.10.13: European Court of Justice rules in favour of greater transparency of the Council of the EU https://www.access-info.org/uncategorized/12303

ECJ: Text of judgement in ECJ Case C-280/11 P http://www.access-info.org/wp-content/uploads/JUDGMENT_OF_THE_COURT.pdf

ESO: Background information: EU states appeal court ruling on transparency http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-states-appeal-court-ruling-on-transparency/

ESO: Background information: EU needs to regain credibility among citizens http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-needs-to-regain-credibility-among-citizens/

Blog: EU Law Analysis, 19.05.14: Access to documents: the Council might not implement a key CJEU judgment http://eulawanalysis.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/access-to-documents-council-might-not.html

Council of the European Union: Drafting of documents relating to legislative activities (8622/1/14 Rev.1, 13.05.14) http://www.statewatch.org/news/2014/may/eu-council-ms-positions-8622-rev1-14.pdf

ECJ: Find all information relating to this case http://curia.europa.eu/juris/liste.jsf?pro=&lgrec=en&nat=or&oqp=&lg=&dates=&language=en&jur=C&cit=none%252CC%252CCJ%252CR%252C2008E%252C%252C%252C%252C%252C%252C%252C%252C%252C%252Ctrue%252Cfalse%252Cfalse&td=%3BALL&pcs=Oor&avg=&page=1&mat=or&etat=clot&parties=access&jge=&for=&cid=116558

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