This Article corresponds to a general principle of law which is included in all European constitutions and has also been recognised by the Court of Justice as a basic principle of Community law (judgment of 13 November 1984, Case 283/83 Racke [1984] ECR 3791, judgment of 17 April 1997, Case C-15/95 EARL [1997] ECR I–1961, and judgment of 13 April 2000, Case C-292/97 Karlsson [2000] ECR 2737).
Freagraíonn an tAirteagal seo do phrionsabal ginearálta dlí atá le fáil sna Bunreachtanna Eorpach a go léir agus atá aitheanta freisin ag an gCúirt Bhreithiúnais mar bhunphrionsabal de dhlí an Chomhphobail (breithiúnas an 13 Samhain 1984, Cás 283/83 Racke [1984] ECR 3791, breithiúnas an 17 Aibreán 1997, Cás 15/95 EARL [1997] ECR I–1961, agus breithiúnas an 13 Aibreán 2000, Cás 292/97 Karlsson [2000] ECR 2737).