Preliminary Reference Procedure

The Preliminary Reference Procedure is a process where national courts in individual countries ask the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for guidance on how to interpret European Union law when they're unsure. This helps ensure that EU laws are applied consistently across all member states. When a national court encounters a legal question related to EU directives or regulations, it can pause its case and refer the question to the ECJ. The ECJ provides a binding interpretation, which the national court then uses to resolve the case. This process maintains legal unity within the EU while respecting each country's judicial system.