In brief: Protect European Court, says Bar Council

The EU should not water down the powers of the European Court of Justice, according to the Bar Council's international relations committee. The committee and the Bar European Group have made a joint submission to the ongoing Intergovernmental Conference, arguing that no amendments should be made to the EU's constitution which could erode the rule of law or individual rights. Chair of the committee, Peter Goldsmith QC, said it was fashionable but misguided to attack the EU's legal framework. "The EU's legal jurisdiction can be both protected and improved," he said."It is our belief that the community legal framework lies at the heart of the community's success."