On 10 December 1952, Judges of the Court of Justice of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) hold their first sitting in Luxembourg. From left to right: Charles Léon Hammes, Adrianus van Kleffens, Petrus Josephus Servatius Serrarens, Massimo Pilotti, Otto Riese, Jacques Rueff and Louis Delvaux.
It emerges from the judgment of the Court of 29 November 1959, in Case 8-55, Fédération charbonnière de Belgique/High Authority, that the High Authority enjoys a certain independence in determining the implementing measures necessary for the attainment of the objectives referred to in the ECSC Treaty or in the Convention on the transitional provisions which forms an integral part thereof.
In a speech delivered during the inaugural session of the ECSC Court of Justice, the President of the High Authority, Jean Monnet, describes how the institution fits into the operational structure of the ECSC and outlines its role. He particularly stresses the supranational character of the tasks incumbent upon this new-style court of justice.
On 10 December 1952, Joseph Meurice, Belgian Foreign Trade Minister, addresses the inaugural session of the Court of Justice of the European Coal and Steel Community, emphasising the Court’s crucial role as guardian of compliance with the ECSC ‘basic charter’.
The first President of the Court of Justice of the ECSC is the Italian, Massimo Pilotti. In his opening address, he notes the difficulty facing the Court in its work when it is called upon to settle a new type of potential conflict: between States and a supranational authority.
During his welcome address at the inaugural session of the Court of Justice of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), Joseph Bech, Luxembourg Foreign Minister, refers to a turning point in international judicial history. The ECSC Court of Justice is the first to be able to impose its decisions on States thanks to the supranational powers conferred upon it by the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community.