The UK received a severe blow this week to its attempts to annul a directive on working hours…

Date: 14/03/1996

...adopted by social affairs ministers in 1993. European Court Advocate-General Philippe Leger rejected the UK argument that the directive should have been subject to a unanimous vote, finding that it fell under Article 118a of the treaty and therefore only required a qualified majority vote. The opinion has sparked an angry reaction in the UK. A final verdict is expected later this year.