Aspects of interpretation of multilingual acquis communautaire

Abstract

EU legislation is enacted in twenty different, equally authentic, language versions. As from the 1st of May 2004 Maltese has become an official language of the EU this meaning, inter alia, that the acquis communautaire is available in an authentic Maltese version which can be used by Maltese courts in their application and interpretation of EU law. In this paper we shall look at the implications of the Union's multilingual regime as arising from the interpretations of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) and how this affects national jurisdictions in their interpretation and application of EU and national law.