EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE

also called Court Of Justice Of The European Communities, the judicial branch of the European Union (EU). The Court of Justice originated in the individual courts of justice established in the 1950s for the European Coal and Steel Community, the European Economic Community, and the European Atomic Energy Community. The function of these courts was to ensure the observance of law in those organizations' interpretation and application of their treaties. In 1958 a single, unified European Court of Justice was created to serve all three of the European Communities (later called the European Community). The European Court of Justice reviews the legality of the acts of the Commission and the Council of Ministers of the EU, which are the executive bodies of that organization. The court typically hears cases involving disputes between member states over trade, antitrust, and environmental issues, as well as issues raised by private parties, compensations for damages, and so on. The court has the power to invalidate the laws of EU member nations when those laws conflict with Union law. The European Court of Justice serves as the final arbiter of the growing body of international law that accompanied the economic and political integration of western Europe in the late 20th century. The court's full bench consists of 13 judges and six advocates-general, appointed by the member governments.