Functional links between locus standi of third parties and the standard of assessment of impact on competition and trade in State aid cases

This paper seeks to analyse the new interpretive approach taken by the Court of Justice in State aid cases. According to this approach, evaluating the impact on competition and trade is considered essential to determine whether an entity that is not a beneficiary of the European Commission's decision can be regarded as an 'interested party'. The author will assess the potential consequences of this interpretive approach, particularly examining whether evaluating the impact on trade and competition is an appropriate tool to guarantee access to the Court in State aid cases, especially for indirect competitors and plaintiffs claiming infringement of their non-economic interests.

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