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Referencing - UK & EU Law: Decision of the European Commission

How do I reference a Decision of the European Commission?

Decisions of the European Commission in relation to competition law and mergers should be treated as cases.

This guidance applies whether you found the document in print or online.

case name | (case number) | Commission Decision number | [year] | OJ L issue/first page

Footnote and bibliography:
e.g. Alcatel/Telettra (Case IV/M042) Commission Decision 91/251/EEC [1991] OJ L122/48

To pinpoint a paragraph, follow the citation with a comma then ‘para’ and the paragraph number. To pinpoint several paragraphs, follow the citation with a comma then ‘paras’ and insert a dash between the paragraph numbers:
e.g. Alcatel/Telettra (Case IV/M042) Commission Decision 91/251/EEC [1991] OJ L122/48, paras 23-26

Case name

  • Always give party names in italics
  • Separate adverse parties with an italic v
  • Don't include and another
  • If multiple parties, name only the first claimant and the first defendant
  • If an individual, don't include forenames or initials
  • Use Re, not In re or In the matter of
  • Use Ex p, not Ex parte
  • Include terms indicating corporate status (Ltd, plc)
  • Abbreviate common words and phrases (see Oscola appendix 4.2.4).

Year

The year is always given in [square brackets].

Official Journal reference

The Official Journal of the European Union (OJ) comprises two series:

  • L series - official source for EU legislation
  • C series - information and notices.

Decisions of the European Commission re competition law and mergers are published in the L series.