General Awareness: European Union Quiz

1. Which court is the senior court for European Union law?

a) the European Court of Justice
b) the House of Lords
c) the Privy Council
d) the European Court of Human Rights

The correct answer is a) the European Court of Justice

2. Does "human rights" law directly come from the European Union?

a) Yes
b) No

The correct answer is b) No

3. European law contains a number of "General Principles" that the Courts look at in making their decisions. Which of the following is one of those "General Principles"?

a) right to be heard
b) non-discrimination
c) all of these
d) proportionality

The correct answer is c) all of these

4. English Courts rely heavily on precedent cases whereby previous decisions of higher courts are binding on lower courts. Do the European Courts follow this tradition?

a) Yes
b) No

The correct answer is b) No

5. What is meant in European law by "Acte Clair"?

a) It may be clear to you, but it's not clear to us?
b) We know the answer so we wont ask for confirmation from the European Courts.
c) Clearly one of us is mistaken.
d) Clear off please.

The correct answer is b) We know the answer so we wont ask for confirmation from the European Courts.

6. In our domestic law in England we are "dualist" and not "monist" in our approach to international law (such as EU law). Is this a correct statement?

a) Yes
b) No

The correct answer is a) Yes

7. Is European law always supreme over our domestic laws?

a) no
b) only in matters of trade
c) yes
d) only if we haven't voted against the measure as a country

The correct answer is c) yes

8. The European Union has a series of "freedoms" that are a foundation to the Union's law. Which of the following is not one of those freedoms?

a) freedom from over bureaucratic government
b) free movement of goods
c) free movement of workers
d) freedom from sex discrimination

The correct answer is a) freedom from over bureaucratic government

9. What do European Courts mean by "preliminary references"?

a) the European courts trying to find out details of the domestic laws of a country.
b) testimonials required by countries joing the EU
c) domestic courts asking for interpretation of European law
d) written recordings of cases already heard

The correct answer is c) domestic courts asking for interpretation of European law

10. When seeking judicial remedies concerning acts or decisions who do the European courts treat as "non-privileged" applicants?

a) member countries
b) individuals or legal persons
c) countries outside the EU
d) non-members of the European Single Currency (the Euro)

The correct answer is b) individuals or legal persons