Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community, and in particular Article 32d thereof,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 168a thereof,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 140a thereof,

Having regard to the Protocol on the Statute of the Court of Justice of the European Coal and Steel Community, signed in Paris on 18 April 1951,

Having regard to the request from the Court of Justice,

Having regard to the opinion of the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament^f1,

Whereas the attachment to the Court of Justice of a Court of First Instance by Decision 88/591/ECSC, EEC, Euratom^f2 is intended, by the establishment of a second court, in particular in respect of actions requiring close examination of complex facts, to improve the judicial protection of individual interests and to maintain the quality and effectiveness of judicial review in the Community legal order by enabling the Court of Justice to concentrate its activities on its fundamental task, of ensuring uniform interpretation of Community law;

Whereas, with the same end in view, it is appropriate, taking into account past experience to enlarge the jurisdiction transferred to the Court of First Instance to hear and determine at first instance certain classes of action or proceeding brought by natural or legal persons;

Whereas Decision 88/591/ECSC, EEC, Euratom should therefore be amended in consequence,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: