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 15/95 EARL [1997] ECR I-1961, and judgment of 13 April 2000, Case 292/97 Karlsson [2000] ECR 2737).
Freagraíonn an tAirteagal seo do phrionsabal ginearálta dlí atá le fáil sna Bhunreachtanna Eorpacha 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 196 1, agus breithiúnas an 13 Aibreán 2000, Cás 292/97 Karlsson [2000] ECR 2737).