ABSTRACT
The ECJ interprets EC law and its application to Member States and other bodies. The Court follows the Roman law tradition, in that no reliance is placed on precedent (although decisions of the Court bind the courts of Member States). An inquisitorial approach is followed, and no dissenting opinions are given. Counsel make written submissions and the Court reaches a preliminary decision through Advocates General. In Grant v South West Trains Ltd (1998), the claimant sought equal treatment for her same-sex partner as an employee with a spouse or heterosexual partner. The Advocate General recommended to the ECJ that Art 6 of the Equal Treatment Directive could extend to same-sex couples, but the Court rejected this view.
