Introduction

Abstract The aim of this work is twofold. First, it aims to construct an alternative and more complete legal critique of the principle of subsidiarity. Secondly, it attempts to analyse the problem of the implementation of subsidiarity by the European Court of Justice and to explain the Court’s case-law on the principle. The principle of subsidiarity has been examined at length in legal and political science literature over the past five years. The number of analyses of the subject since its introduction into the European Community Treaty (ECT) is so overwhelming that it is necessary to begin this essay by justifying the need for yet another work on subsidiarity. This Introduction is therefore intended to explain the relevance of this work.