Decision (JHA/PJC)

This type of legally binding act is no longer used since the Treaty of Lisbon came into force December 2009. This particular decision was used to address policies in the field of justice and home affairs (JHA), or, from 2003 tot 2009, police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters (PJC).

The decision (JHA/PJC) was replaced by the decision¹ in the Lisbon Treaty.

Area of application

This particular type of decision was not directly applicable. Instead, decisions (JHA/PJC) were aimed at facilitating and strengthening cooperation between the member states in the field of justice and home affairs and later the more narrow field of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters. Supportive measures in this policy area were decided upon by different means at a later stage.

For outlining policies the framework decision² was used.

Adopting decisions (JHA/PJC)

Decisions (JHA/PJC) were decided upon by the Council of Ministers.

The decision (JHA/PJC) is obsolete since December first 2009.

• 1. 

  A decision is legally binding act in its entirety. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, a decision is binding for the EU as a whole. Decisions can address specific legal entities, in which case a decision is binding only to them. In its current form the decision was introduced with the Lisbon Treaty that came into force December 2009. It replaces various legal instruments introduced by earlier Treaties.
   
• 2. 

  This type of legally binding act is no longer used since the Treaty of Lisbon came into force December 2009. A framework decision established objectives the member states had to fulfil. The member states were free to choose the manner to which they would implement the required objectives. The framework decision was exclusively used in the field of justice and home affairs.
   
• 3. 

  The European Union has a number of legal instruments to its disposal. These are used to make or coordinate policies, to take measures and initiate programme's, to facilitate the implementation of policies and to issue advice to member states. Legal instruments are divided into two categories, binding and non-binding instruments. Legal instruments specifically in place for implementing EU acts are binding, but have been put in a final, third section.