SECTION 16

Establishment and powers 1. A Court of Justice of the Community is hereby established. 2. The Court of Justice shall ensure that the law is observed in the interpretation and application of this Treaty and shall decide disputes submitted to it under this Treaty. 3. The Court of Justice shall accordingly: a) ensure the legality of the decisions, directives and regulations of Community institutions; b) decide on actions brought by a Member State or the Conference on the grounds of lack of competence, misuse of powers or infringement of an essential procedural requirement of this Treaty; c) give preliminary rulings on: - the interpretation of this Treaty; - the validity of the decisions, directives and regulations formulated by Community institutions. d) give advisory opinions on any legal matter at the request of the Conference or Council. 4. Powers to deal with other disputes may be granted to the Court by decisions taken by the Conference by virtue of this Treaty.