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Embezzlement: dishonestly appropriating another's assets for one's own use.

European Court of Human Rights: in addition to laying down a catalogue of civil and political rights and freedoms, the European Convention on Human Rights set up a mechanism for the enforcement of the obligations entered into by contracting states. Three institutions were entrusted with this responsibility:

• the European Commission of Human Rights (set up in 1954);

• the European Court of Human Rights (set up in 1959);

• the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

The latter organisation being composed of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the member states or their representatives.

European Court of Justice: the Court of Justice cooperates with all the courts of the member states, which are the ordinary courts in matters of European Community law. To ensure the effective and uniform application of Community legislation and to prevent divergent interpretations, the national courts may, and sometimes must, refer to the Court of Justice and ask it to clarify a point concerning the interpretation of Community law, so that they may ascertain, for example, whether their national legislation complies with that law. A reference for a preliminary ruling may also seek the review of the validity of an act of Community law.

Ex Officio: describes someone who has a right (for example, to sit on a committee) because of an office held. The term comes from the Latin for "from the office", and is used in the sense of 'by right of office held'.