The General Court is not a new EU institution but rather a constituent com
ponent of the Court of Justice of theeuropean Union. Nevertheless, it is
an autonomous body separate from the Court of Justice in organisational
terms. It has its own registry and rules of procedure. Cases handled by
the General Court are identified by means of a ‘T’ (Tribunal) (e.g. T-0/00),
whilst those referred to the Court of Justice are coded with a ‘C’ (Court) (e.g.
C-0/00).
Although the General Court was originally responsible for only a limited
range of cases, it now has the following tasks.
■ At first instance, i.e. subject to the legal supervision of the Court of
Justice, the General Court has competence to rule on actions for
annulment and actions for failure to act brought by natural and legal
persons against an EU body; on actions brought by Member States
against the Council and/or the Commission in the areas of subsidies,
anti-dumping and implementing powers; on an arbitration clause
contained in a contract concluded by the EU or on its behalf; and on
actions for damages brought against the EU.
■ It is also planned to confer jurisdiction on the General Court for
preliminary-ruling proceedings concerning certain areas; however, this
option has not yet been used