ABSTRACT
In 1973, the United Kingdom (UK) joined the European Economic Community (now the European Union (EU)) when it signed the original EEC treaty – the Treaty of Rome. As a condition of membership, the UK was required to pass the European Communities Act 1972, which had two consequences. Firstly, the UK must apply EU law in its courts and secondly, if there is a conflict between EU law and UK domestic law, then the EU law will prevail. This means that UK legislation must be interpreted in a way that is consistent with EU law.
