The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has rejected a legal action by the UK challenging the legality of the EU Council’s decision to authorize the plan for a financial transaction tax (FTT) through the mechanism of enhanced cooperation between certain member states. United Kingdom v. Council, C-208/13 (30 April 2014). The CJEU rejected the UK’s arguments because they did not directly concern the authorization by the Council of enhanced cooperation, which was the reason for the legal action, but were aimed at challenging the FTT itself rather than the enhanced cooperation.
Eleven EU member countries are planning to go ahead with the introduction of an FTT under the enhanced cooperation provisions that permit a group of member states to proceed even if not all the member states wish to do so.
