Opinion 1/94 (ECJ)

Opinion 1/94 by the European Court of Justice was a legal advisory opinion on the EU’s draft agreement with the European Convention on Human Rights. The Court assessed whether this agreement complied with EU law, particularly regarding competences and legal procedures. The Court concluded that the draft agreement, as initially proposed, would infringe on the EU’s institutional independence and legal powers, and suggested modifications to ensure respect for EU legal order and neutrality. This opinion guided negotiations, emphasizing the importance of balancing EU institutions’ autonomy with human rights obligations, ensuring the EU can effectively engage with the European Court of Human Rights while preserving its legal integrity.