The K-Zone: horizontal direct effect

EU legislation is said to have horizontal direct effect if its provision can be relied on in national courts in disputes between private individuals. Horizontal direct effect is less readily asserted than vertical direct effect, in which EU legislation can be relied on against the state. Regulations and Treaty articles can have horizontal direct effect, provided that the Van Gend criteria are met (see: VanGendEnLoos1963). Most of the dispute is over whether Directives have horizontal direct effect or not. See DirectEffect for more details.

EULaw