EU structure

Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis

This subtopic contains a range of resources on the structure and functions of EU institutions, as well as the EU legal system and core principles.

EU institutions

The EU institutional framework consists of seven main institutions that each represent different interests and have been allocated executive, legislative, judicial and other powers. The main EU institutions are:

  1. •

    the European Council

  2. •

    the European Parliament

  3. •

    the European Commission

  4. •

    the Council of the European Union

  5. •

    the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)

  6. •

    the European Central Bank (ECB)

  7. •

    the European Court of Auditors (ECA)

The European Council sets the EU's overall political direction, but has no powers to pass laws. It comprises national heads of state or government and meets for a few days at a time every four to six months to decide on broad political priorities and major initiatives. The European Council makes decisions by consensus, except if the EU Treaties provide otherwise. For further reading, see Practice Note: Guide to the European Council.

There are three main institutions involved in EU legislation:

  1. •

    the European Parliament, at which elected MEPs represent European citizens

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Existing user? Sign-in TAKE A FREE TRIAL
Powered by Lexis+®
Latest EU Law News

Commission opens call for evidence on Water Framework Directive revision

The European Commission has launched a call for evidence to support an impact assessment on a targeted revision of Directive 2000/60/EC (the Water Framework Directive). The initiative forms part of the RESourceEU action plan and aims to explore how the Directive could be revised to address specific challenges for critical raw materials (CRM) projects, while promoting circularity, improving access to CRMs in the EU and ensuring continued protection of the environment and human health. The Commission plans to adopt a possible legislative proposal in Q2 2026. The call for evidence closes on 14 April 2026.

EMA launches three new priority medicines tools to support medicine development

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has launched three new features under its priority medicines (PRIME) scheme, following a two-year pilot, to enhance support for medicines targeting unmet medical needs. The features—a regulatory roadmap and product development tracker, expedited scientific advice, and a submission readiness meeting—aim to streamline scientific dialogue, provide faster responses, and help developers prepare for marketing authorisation applications. The EMA has indicated that these tools will become permanent PRIME features as it prepares for the revised EU pharmaceutical legislation.

EU Financial Services—daily round-up (19 March 2026)

A round-up of EU financial services developments.

EU Law weekly highlights—19 March 2026

This week's edition of EU Law weekly highlights includes analyses on the EU's planned biotech law on data protection for clinical trial participants, the Court of Justice’s decision on claims for the delay of flights caused by extraordinary circumstances and the draft procedural rules for enforcing the EU AI Act. The European Commission announced plans to introduce a new optional EU-wide corporate framework, ‘EU Inc’, the Commission and the European Data Protection Board published the submissions received in response to their October 2025 consultation on draft joint guidelines addressing the interplay between the EU Digital Markets Act and the EU General Data Protection Regulation, the European Data Protection Supervisor published its Compass outlining its new role under the EU AI Act, the European Parliament approved revised rules on package travel aimed at enhancing protection for holidaymakers, the Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee adopted proposals that mandate transparency and fair remuneration for copyrighted work used by generative AI systems, and the Parliament's Internal Market and Consumer Protection and Civil Liberties committees adopted amendments to the EU AI Act as part of the Digital Omnibus.

View EU Law by content type :  
News
Practice notes
Precedents
Q&As

Popular documents

Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companies

Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companiesWhy does it matter?A company that is a member of a group and has incurred any of the types of losses available for surrender by way of group relief may, without any further rules, have more than one way in which to use the loss. There are a

What is the difference between an appeal and a review?

What is the difference between an appeal and a review?What is an appeal?An appeal in insolvency proceedings is no different to an appeal in normal litigation. An appeal will be allowed only if the appeal court is satisfied that the decision of the lower court was 'wrong' or 'unjust because of a

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the current registered owner? Or does the informal exoneration only apply to the parties to the document which informally exonerated the rentcharge?This Q&A considers the situation where, at some

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal fees, will that count as a PET against their estate?A disclaimer is the refusal of a gift prior to acceptance. The refusal of the gift must take place before the beneficiary accepts any benefit
Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companies

Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companies

Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companiesWhy does it matter?A company that is a member of a group and has incurred any of the types of losses available for surrender by way of group relief may, without any further rules, have more than one way in which to use the loss. There are a

What is the difference between an appeal and a review?

What is the difference between an appeal and a review?

What is the difference between an appeal and a review?What is an appeal?An appeal in insolvency proceedings is no different to an appeal in normal litigation. An appeal will be allowed only if the appeal court is satisfied that the decision of the lower court was 'wrong' or 'unjust because of a

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the current registered owner? Or does the informal exoneration only apply to the parties to the document which informally exonerated the rentcharge?This Q&A considers the situation where, at some

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal fees, will that count as a PET against their estate?A disclaimer is the refusal of a gift prior to acceptance. The refusal of the gift must take place before the beneficiary accepts any benefit