horizontal direct effect

Horizontal direct effect refers to a legal principle in European law where certain EU rules or rights can directly regulate the behavior between private parties—such as individuals or companies—without needing national laws to intervene. This means that if an EU regulation or directive grants specific rights or obligations, those rights can be enforced directly in disputes between private parties, not just between individuals and the government. Essentially, it ensures that EU laws have real, practical impact in everyday dealings between private entities, promoting uniform protection and obligations across member states.