LISBON TREATY IN FORCE

To view a consolidated version of the Lisbon Treaty, go to:

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/JOHtml.do?uri=OJ:C:2008:115:SOM:EN:HTML

A quick selection of the many useful guides available on the changes imposed by the entry into force of the new Treaty:

• Council information note on key institutional changes. See:
  http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/111652.pdf
• Council guidance on the impact of the Treaty on the JHA Council, focussing on the decision making process and working structures. See: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/111615.pdf
• Court of Justice Information Note on the main institutional, organisational, and procedural changes imposed on it;
  http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2009-12/cp090104en.pdf
• Court of Justice of the EU guidance on References from national courts for Preliminary rulings (OJ reference C 297 of 5.12.2009): http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2009:297:0001:0006:EN:PDF
• Bar Council Brussels office memorandum discussing key substantive and procedural changes in the area of freedom security and justice, in particular in civil and criminal matters, and from a UK perspective: http://www.barcouncil.org.uk/aboutthebarcouncil/BrusselsOffice/
• Statewatch analysis of the status of existing 3rd Pillar inter-governmental (criminal law) measures and their possible conversion into Union measures in the future. See: httpp://www.statewatch.org/analyses/no-88-analysis-third%20pillar-ver2.pdf

Ensuring that the Treaty “beds down” well and quickly is the stated priority of the Spanish Presidency of the EU, which took over from Sweden on 1 January. That, and steering the EU towards economic recovery.