Article 41 is based on the existence of the Union as subject to the rule of law whose characteristics were developed in the case-law which enshrined inter alia good administration as a general principle of law (see inter alia Court of Justice judgment of 31 March 1992 in Case C-255/90 P Burban [1992] ECR I-2253, and Court of First Instance judgments of 18 September 1995 in Case T-167/94 Nölle [1995] ECR II-2589, and 9 July 1999 in Case T-231/97 New Europe Consulting and others [1999] ECR II-2403).
Tá Airteagal 41 bunaithe ar an Aontas a bheith faoi réir smacht reachta a ndearnadh a shaintréithe a fhorbairt sa chásdlí inar cumhdaíodh an dea-riarachán inter alia mar phrionsabal ginearálta dlí (féach inter alia breithiúnas na Cúirte Breithiúnais an 31 Márta 1992, i gCás C–255/90 P, Burban [1992] ECR I–2253, agus breithiúnais na Cúirte Céadchéime an 18 Meán Fómhair 1995 i gCás T167/94 Nölle [1995] ECR II–2589, agus an 9 Iúil 1999 i gCás T231/97, New Europe Consulting e.a., [1999] ECR II–2403).