The Alleged Mechanical Nature of National Measures does not Call into Question that National Decisions Constitute Implementing Measures under Article 263(4) TFEU. Comments on T&L Sugars Ltd (CJEU — Judgment of 28.04.2015 (Grand Chamber) — Case C-456/13P

Résumé

The present judgment of the Court of Justice is the latest piece in a considerable line of case law fleshing out the interpretation of the new limb which has been introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon in Article 263, fourth paragraph, TFEU with the objective to ensure that individuals do not have to break the law in order to have access to a court. This objective refers to the background of the introduction of the new category of ‘regulatory acts of direct concern to them and not entailing implementing measures’, against which an appeal may be lodged by private individuals. The present case also illustrates the complexity of judicial protection in a multi-layered European/national legal order. Once again the Court of Justice affirms the completeness of the system, the obligation of the member States under Article 19 TEU and the inability of Article 47 of the Charter, which concerns judicial protection, to change the system of judicial review as laid down by the Treaties. However, a constructive and coherent interpretation of standing requirements in the light of the right to effective judicial protection does not necessarily amount to a change of the Treaty provisions. No need, it is suggested, to remind that the Plaumann doctrine itself is not spelled out in the Treaty.