Category Archives: Law

Law Press Releases & News distributed via EuropaWire

EU Ministers for Justice and Home Affairs will discuss a number of measures aimed at increasing border security in Europe

Posted on 6, March 2013 by

6-3-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — EU Ministers for Justice and Home Affairs will discuss a number of measures aimed at increasing border security in Europe at a two-day meeting in Brussels this week. Ministers are also expected to approve proposals agreed with … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, European Union, Government, Law, Politics, Security & Safety

The European Commission has opened formal antitrust proceedings against the Lithuanian railway incumbent AB Lietuvos geležinkeliai (“LG”)

Posted on 6, March 2013 by

Antitrust: Commission opens formal proceedings against the Lithuanian railway incumbent, AB Lietuvos geležinkeliai Brussels, 6-3-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has opened formal antitrust proceedings against the Lithuanian railway incumbent AB Lietuvos geležinkeliai (“LG”) to investigate whether it limited competition on the … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Government, Law, Lithuania, Transportation & Logistics

Statement by VP Almunia on Microsoft’s fine of 561 million euros

Posted on 6, March 2013 by

Joaquín Almunia – Vice President of the European Commission responsible for Competition Policy Brussels, 6-3-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Today, the Commission adopted a decision sanctioning Microsoft for its failure to comply with the legally binding commitments which it made to the Commission. The … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, Government, Internet & Online, Law, Politics, Technology

Viviane Reding and Ilse Aigner see European data protection reform as ‘historic opportunity’

Posted on 6, March 2013 by

EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding and German Consumer Protection Minister Ilse Aigner see European data protection reform as ‘historic opportunity’ Brussels, 6-3-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The EU Justice Commissioner and Vice President of the European Commission, Viviane Reding, and the German Federal … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Germany, Government, Internet & Online, Law, Politics, Technology

The European Commission has found a Finnish short-term export-credit insurance scheme to be in line with EU state aid rules

Posted on 6, March 2013 by

Brussels, 6-3-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has found a Finnish short-term export-credit insurance scheme to be in line with EU state aid rules. The scheme is limited to insurance cover that is currently not available on the private market and … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, Finland, Government, Insurance, International Trade, Law

Broad political support at today’s ECOFIN Council on the Capital Requirements Directive IV compromise package

Posted on 6, March 2013 by

6-3-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The Irish Presidency hopes to make progress on outstanding technical issues in discussions with the Parliament over the coming weeks. Agreement also reached on the “Two Pack” of economic surveillance measures for the Eurozone. There was broad … Read the full press release →

Posted in Banks, Business, Economy, European Union, Financial, Government, Ireland, Law, Politics

Alan Shatter TD: Victims of domestic violence and other vulnerable people at risk of violence will gain an additional layer of protection following agreement in Brussels this week

Posted on 6, March 2013 by

6-3-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — At the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on Friday, 8 March, 2013 Ministers are expected to formally approve a deal reached with the European Parliament on the European Protection Order.  This new EU Regulation will mean … Read the full press release →

Posted in European Union, Government, Ireland, Law, Politics, Society

Bulgaria joins the Unified Patent Court agreement

Posted on 5, March 2013 by

Brussels, 5-3-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The formalities enabling Bulgaria to become the 25th signatory state to the Unified Patent Court agreement have been accomplished today. The first 24 member states signed on 19 February. For more information see press release: Signing of the … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Bulgaria, Business, European Union, Government, Law, Technology

EU data protection reform: Vice-President Reding and Polish Minister for Administration and Digital Affairs Boni want rules that are good for citizens and good for business

Posted on 4, March 2013 by

Brussels, 4-3-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Today Vice-President Viviane Reding, the EU’s Justice Commissioner and Michał Boni, Minister for Administration and Digital Affairs of the Republic of Poland, met in Brussels where they reaffirmed their intention to make swift progress on the proposed … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Government, Internet & Online, Law, Poland, Politics, Technology

EU Passenger rights: better protection for bus and coach travellers

Posted on 4, March 2013 by

Brussels, 4-3-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Today, Regulation (EU) No 181/2011 on bus and coach passenger rights becomes applicable, providing bus and coach travellers throughout the EU with new rights. The regulation lays down travellers’ basic rights, and imposes a number of obligations on bus … Read the full press release →

Posted in Automotive, Belgium, European Union, Government, Law, Transportation & Logistics

Digital Agenda: Commission insists German operators should not be allowed special treatment on mobile rates

Posted on 1, March 2013 by

Brussels, 1-3-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has halted plans of the German telecoms regulator (BNetzA) which could result in mobile termination rates (MTR) more than 80% higher than in many other Member States. This could mean that German consumers pay … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Germany, Government, Internet & Online, Law, Technology, Telecom

EU trade agreement with Peru goes live – Colombia’s next in line

Posted on 1, March 2013 by

Brussels, 1-3-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Trade barriers between the EU and Peru will be lifted as of 1 March 2013, when the EU’s ambitious and comprehensive trade agreement concluded with Peru and Colombia in 2012 will be provisionally applied with Peru. The … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, Government, International Trade, Law, Politics

Rail – statement by Vice President Kallas following today’s ECJ rulings (Spain, Hungary, Germany, Austria)

Posted on 1, March 2013 by

Brussels, 1-3-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Today the ECJ has ruled in four infringement cases brought by the Commission concerning the extent of independence from other rail operators required of an infrastructure manager under the 1st railway package. Speaking after the judgment, Vice President … Read the full press release →

Posted in Austria, Belgium, Business, European Union, Germany, Government, Hungary, Infrastructure & Utilities, Law, Politics, Spain, Transportation & Logistics

Discard ban: EU Fisheries Council takes decisive stance

Posted on 28, February 2013 by

Brussels, 28-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting of 25 and 26 February 2013, discussed the main Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Common Fisheries Policy, proposed by the Commission in July 2011, as … Read the full press release →

Posted in Agriculture, Belgium, European Union, Government, Law, Politics, Society

Irish Presidency reaches breakthrough on new rules for stronger EU banks

Posted on 28, February 2013 by

28-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The Irish Presidency has tonight reached a breakthrough in talks with the European Parliament on an overhaul of banking rules increasing EU financial stability. The Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD, welcomed the news: “I am very proud … Read the full press release →

Posted in Banks, Business, European Union, Financial, Government, Ireland, Law, Politics

Mergers: Commission prohibits Ryanair’s proposed takeover of Aer Lingus – frequently asked questions

Posted on 28, February 2013 by

Brussels, 28-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Mergers: Commission prohibits Ryanair’s proposed takeover of Aer Lingus – frequently asked questions See also IP/13/167 1. What is the Commission’s approach with respect to consolidation in the European air transport sector? Is the decision in this case in … Read the full press release →

Posted in Aviation & Aerospace, Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, Government, Investment, Ireland, Law, Transportation & Logistics, Travel

Health and Safety: Commission proposes to improve workers’ protection against exposure to hazardous chemicals

Posted on 28, February 2013 by

Brussels, 28-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has proposed to better protect workers from risks linked to exposure to chemicals at the workplace. In particular, the Commission has proposed to amend five existing EU health and safety Directives on protection of … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, Chemicals, European Union, Government, Healthcare, Law, Security & Safety, Society

UKFast Appoints Lisa Walton as Head of Legal

Posted on 27, February 2013 by

27-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Lawyer Lisa Walton has undertaken the management of legal operations at Manchester’s fast-growing cloud hosting and colocation specialist, UKFast. Walton brings several years of legal experience acquired within senior legal roles within business law, predominantly in-house across … Read the full press release →

Posted in Business, Internet & Online, Law, Management, Technology, Telecom, United Kingdom

Offshore oil and gas operations: financial liability for all operators

Posted on 26, February 2013 by

26-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — A provisional deal on proposed legislation for the safety of offshore oil and gas operations was struck by MEPs and Council negotiators on Thursday. Before oil and gas firms could get a licence to drill, the directive … Read the full press release →

Posted in Business, Energy, Gas & Oil, European Union, Financial, Government, Law, Politics, Security & Safety

Draft amendment to an article of the Statute of the Bank of Greece

Posted on 26, February 2013 by

26-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The Bank of Greece, as provided for by Article 19 paragraph 2 of Law 3556/2007, hereby announces that, in accordance with a decision of the General Council, the following amendment to Article 71 of the Bank’s Statute … Read the full press release →

Posted in Banks, Business, Financial, Government, Greece, Law

Irish Presidency intensifies negotiations with European Institutions on future EU budget

Posted on 25, February 2013 by

President Schulz to join President Barroso in Dublin next week for key meetings with Irish Presidency 25-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The Irish Presidency has this week intensified discussions on the future seven-year budget, the Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF). The Irish Presidency … Read the full press release →

Posted in Economy, European Union, Financial, Government, Ireland, Law, Politics

Fighting evasion: Commission launches consultations on EU Taxpayer’s Code and EU Tax Identification Number

Posted on 25, February 2013 by

Brussels, 25-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Today the European Commission launched two public consultations on specific measures which could improve tax collection and ensure better tax compliance across the EU. The first consultation is on the development of a European Taxpayer’s Code, which … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, Government, Law, Politics, Society

Media freedom: MEPs call for annual EU monitoring of member states’ media laws

Posted on 22, February 2013 by

22-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Investigative journalism should be supported in the EU and media independence protected from political and economic pressures, says the Civil Liberties Committee in a resolution on media freedom voted on Thursday. MEPs want annual EU-wide monitoring of … Read the full press release →

Posted in Business, European Union, Government, Law, Media, Politics, Society

State aid: Commission temporarily approves rescue aid for SNS REAAL

Posted on 22, February 2013 by

Brussels, 22-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has temporarily approved under EU State aid rules a number of measures that the Dutch State intends to take in favour of SNS REAAL and its subsidiaries. SNS REAAL will be recapitalised by EUR 300 … Read the full press release →

Posted in Banks, Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, Government, Insurance, Investment, Law, Netherlands

Pensions: Commission refers The Netherlands to Court for discriminating against pensioners abroad

Posted on 22, February 2013 by

Brussels, 22-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has referred The Netherlands to the EU’s Court of Justice for failing to notify measures to stop discriminating against pensioners who live abroad when paying out an allowance for elderly taxpayers. This results from … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, Government, Law, Netherlands, Society

Interoperability of European railways: Commission refers Slovenia to the Court of Justice

Posted on 22, February 2013 by

Brussels, 22-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has decided today to refer Slovenia to the European Court of Justice for failure to notify national measures transposing a directive on railway interoperability. The deadline for implementation was 31 December 2011. The EU rules Directive 2011/18/EU amends Directive 2008/57/EC on … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, European Union, Government, Law, Slovenia, Transportation & Logistics

Environment: Commission takes Greece back to Court over illegal landfills and asks for fines

Posted on 22, February 2013 by

Brussels, 22-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission is taking Greece back to the European Court of Justice for failing to implement an earlier ruling on illegal landfills. In 2005, the Court ruled that Greece was not taking sufficient measures to close … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Environment, European Union, Financial, Government, Greece, Law, Society

Road transport: Commission refers Austria, Finland and Poland to the European Court of Justice for failing to apply EU working time rules to self-employed drivers

Posted on 22, February 2013 by

Brussels, 22-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has decided today to take Austria, Finland and Poland to the European Court of Justice for failing to apply EU working time rules to self-employed drivers (Directive 2002/15/EC). More than two years have passed since the … Read the full press release →

Posted in Austria, Automotive, Belgium, Business, European Union, Finland, Government, Law, Poland, Transportation & Logistics

Environment: Commission takes Poland to Court over water legislation

Posted on 22, February 2013 by

Brussels, 22-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission is referring Poland to the EU Court of Justice for failing to transpose European water legislation correctly. Polish water legislation has shortcomings in a number of areas, including the transposition of some definitions provided … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Environment, European Union, Government, Infrastructure & Utilities, Law, Poland

Taxation: Commission refers Belgium to Court over discriminatory tax reduction for Walloon tax residents

Posted on 22, February 2013 by

Brussels, 22-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Today, the European Commission has decided to refer Belgium to the EU Court of Justice over its discriminatory tax rules in the Walloon Region. Under the Walloon Decree of 3 April 2009 personal income tax can be … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, Government, Investment, Law

Environment: Commission refers Sweden back to Court over industrial permits, asks for fines

Posted on 22, February 2013 by

Brussels, 22-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission is taking Sweden back to Court for its failure to license industrial installations that are operating without permits. Despite an earlier Court judgement on this matter, Sweden has still not licensed two major industrial … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, Environment, European Union, Government, Law, Politics, Society, Sweden

Taxation: Commission refers France and Luxembourg to the Court of Justice over reduced VAT rates on ebooks

Posted on 22, February 2013 by

Brussels, 22-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has decided to refer France and Luxembourg to the Court of Justice of the European Union for applying reduced rates of VAT to ebooks. EU law is very clear on which goods and services … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, France, Government, Internet & Online, Law, Luxembourg, Politics

Commissioner Oettinger welcomes political agreement on offshore legislation

Posted on 21, February 2013 by

Brussels, 21-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Günther Oettinger, EU Commissioner for Energy said: “I welcome this major step enhancing the safety of offshore oil and gas production in the EU. Past accidents have shown the devastating consequences when things go badly wrong offshore. … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, Energy, Gas & Oil, European Union, Government, Industrial, Law, Politics, Security & Safety

Taxation: Commission takes the UK to Court over reduced VAT rate

Posted on 21, February 2013 by

Brussels, 21-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Today, The European Commission has decided to refer the United Kingdom to the EU Court of Justice for its reduced VAT rate on the supply and installation of energy-saving materials. This measure goes beyond what is allowed … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, Government, Law, Society, United Kingdom

February infringements package: main decisions

Posted on 21, February 2013 by

Brussels, 21-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — February infringements package: main decisions In its monthly package of infringement decisions, the European Commission is pursuing legal action against Member States for failing to comply properly with their obligations under EU law. These decisions covering many … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, European Union, Financial, Government, Law, Politics, Society

State aid: Commission temporarily approves rescue aid for Crédit Immobilier de France

Posted on 21, February 2013 by

Brussels, 21-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has granted temporary approval to France, under the EU state aid rules, to provide Crédit Immobilier de France (CIF) with a €18 billion state guarantee. This guarantee is necessary to cover CIF’s urgent liquidity needs and … Read the full press release →

Posted in Banks, Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, France, Government, Investment, Law, Politics

Banque PSA Finance announces that it has received the European Commission’s temporary authorization

Posted on 21, February 2013 by

21-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — On 11 February, Banque PSA Finance obtained the European Commission’s temporary authorization to use the French State’s guarantee to secure its debt issuance in the period from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2016. The guarantee was … Read the full press release →

Posted in Automotive, Banks, Business, European Union, Financial, France, Government, Investment, Law

Animal Welfare: Commission increases pressure on Member States to enforce group housing of sows

Posted on 21, February 2013 by

Brussels, 21-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Today, the European Commission, via a letter of formal notice, called on Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Poland and Portugal to take action to address deficiencies in the implementation of EU legislation concerning the welfare … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Environment, European Union, Government, Law, Politics, Society

Lawmakers and EU countries reach deal on EU fiscal rules

Posted on 21, February 2013 by

21-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The next batch of EU economic governance legislation should do more to deliver growth and the European Commission’s new powers to vet Eurozone countries’ budgets will be better democratically controlled, thanks to a draft “two-pack” deal struck … Read the full press release →

Posted in Business, Economy, European Union, Financial, Government, Investment, Law, Politics, Society

Antitrust: Commission consults on proposal for revised competition regime for technology transfer agreements

Posted on 21, February 2013 by

Brussels, 21-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission invites comments on a proposal for new competition rules for the assessment of technology transfer agreements, through which a licensor permits a licensee to exploit patents, know-how or software for the production of goods … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Government, Law, Technology