The Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) has expressed its “deep concern” at last week’s judgment by Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal.

The court ruled that parts of EU treaties were incompatible with the Polish constitution.

It said that it had a right not only to check the constitutionality of EU law, but also the rulings of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).

‘Respect treaties’

The CCBE, which represents bars and law societies in 45 countries, said that the court’s position was contrary to EU treaties that Poland had signed.

“The CCBE reiterates that all EU member states must respect signed treaties and rulings of the Court of Justice of the European Union, and restates that EU values and principles must be equally applied,” its statement added.

The Polish court ruling came after a request from prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki, who had asked the court to rule on whether the EU could prevent his government from implementing changes in the judicial system that are fiercely opposed by the EU.

The president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has pledged to use “all the powers that we have” to ensure that all rulings by the CJEU are binding on all member states' authorities – including national courts.