Understanding the Viking and Laval Cases

Recent case law developments in the European Court of Justice (ECJ)pose serious threats to trade unions. Fundamental principles of freedom of association and protection of terms and conditions through collective bargaining have been seriously weakened by no less than three recent cases.

The attached Briefing Note, kindly submitted by Professor Mark Bell of Leicester University, sheds some light and understanding on the first two important decisions, those of Viking and Laval. More Briefings will follow.

The Institute will be updating this section of the website regularly as developments in Europe unfold. This is particulaly important as the Lisbon Treaty, currently being discussed in the House of Lords, extends the powers of the ECJ, according to a recent IER publication by Lord Wedderburn