Setting Aside National Rules that Conflict EU law: How Simmenthal Works in Germany and in Latvia?

Abstract

At the centre of this article is the Simmenthal line of cases of the Court of Justice of the European Union, which establish the duty of every national court or administrative authority not to apply any national law that conflicts with the EU law. The article provides a brief overview of the evolution of the Simmenthal case law at the EU level. It then proceeds to assess how Simmenthal is applied at national level through comparative analysis of experience from Germany and Latvia. A particular emphasis in that regard is placed on the role of constitutional courts, as well as on the role of administrative authorities. Research from both countries points to a general adherence to the obligation established by Simmenthal. However, it also indicates certain discrepancies in national legislation, which obscure strict application of Simmenthal, especially for national administrations. Particularly in Latvia administration is not entitled to disapply national law on its own motion, whereas – explicitly following the Simmenthal doctrine – it would (theoretically) be entitled to do so in Germany.