Place yourself in the room according to the structure below.

Back of Room

Front of Room

Window Side

Door side

Aims: to understand the precedence of European Courts.

To understand the functions of the ECJ & ECHR

The UK’s relationship with the European Courts.

ECJ= European Court of Justice

ECHR= European Court of Human Rights

Are the ECJ & ECHR the same thing?

Two separate courts that originate from different authorities.

The ECJ originates from the European Union, located in Luxembourg.

• 27 Judges each from member states and was created in 1952.

The ECHR originates from the European Council, located in Strasbourg.

• The treaty was signed in 1950 by 26 signatories as part of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Convention on Human RightsThe main rights are:

Article 2 Right to lifeArticle 3 Prohibition of tortureArticle 4 Prohibition of slavery and forced labourArticle 5 Right to liberty and securityArticle 6 Right to a fair trialArticle 7 No punishment without lawArticle 8 Right to respect for private and family lifeArticle 9 Freedom of thought, conscience and religionArticle 10 Freedom of expressionArticle 11 Freedom of assembly and associationArticle 12 Right to marryArticle 13 Right to an effective remedy

Task: watch the video and answer the following:

What is the ECJ’s main role?

Who is accountable to the ECJ?

Why do people go to the ECJ?

BBC News - How EU institutions work: European Court of Justice

Functions of the ECJ

The EU’s Supreme Court.It interprets European Law and sorts out

disputes on its application. If there is a conflict of provisions of

European Law & UK law than European Law is to prevail.

This is the last court of appeal, ‘the last resort’.

Microsoft & the half billion fine.

Task:

Read about the ECHR and answer the following:

What is the main role of the ECHR?Are there any similarities to the ECJ?Is it good for democracy?

Check your answers with a partner!

Feedback task

On a piece of paper write down two things that you learnt today and one thing you would like to work more on.

Hand this to Mr Edwards (you don’t have to write your name).

Homework

Revise all we have done so far for a small test next week:

What is the Judiciary?Functions of the JudiciaryStructure of UK courtsEuropean courts.

Go to: www.mredwardspolitics.wikispaces.com