exclusive competence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exclusive competence" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or institutional contexts to refer to the sole authority or jurisdiction of a particular body or entity over a specific matter. Example: "The court has exclusive competence to adjudicate cases related to intellectual property disputes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Formal & Business

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Intelligence is the exclusive competence of member states.

The Guardian

The EU's exclusive competence in trade gives it real bargaining power.

The Economist

3. The Special Committee shall have exclusive competence over such matters as may be referred to it.

Yale University

The framework agreement plainly assigns exclusive competence for "law enforcement" and "internal security" to the population of Western Sahara.

The Economist

"The European Commission has exclusive competence to review mergers that fall under its rules," as this one does, said a commission spokeswoman, Amelia Torres.

The New York Times

Told that the EU claims "exclusive competence" in competition policy, a spokesperson for the treasury ministry replies crisply: "Maybe they do".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

No additional exclusive competences are transferred to the Union by the Lisbon Treaty.

European Parliament

The TFEU divides competences into three categories (Title I) (1.1.5): exclusive competences, shared competences and competences to carry out actions to coordinate, support or supplement the actions of the Member States.

European Parliament

It must be obligatory for the governments of the constitutional entities to participate in the meetings of the Council when issues are being dealt with which affect their exclusive competences, as in the case of taxation in the Basque Country.

EU Parlament

I am not a legal expert at all, but I have not found a legal basis in the current Treaties that would explicitly authorise the Community wholly or partially to surrender its exclusive competences for the benefit of the Member States.

EU Parlament

So the question now is this: is it legally possible, given the current state of the Treaties and the case-law of the Court, to allow the Member States to exercise one of the Community's exclusive competences and, if so, under what conditions?

EU Parlament

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exclusive competence", ensure the context clearly defines the specific area or subject over which the authority is held. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the legal or institutional argument.

Common error

Avoid using "exclusive competence" when the authority is actually shared between multiple entities. Double-check if other parties have any influence or jurisdiction over the matter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exclusive competence" functions as a noun phrase that describes a specific type of authority or jurisdiction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to denote the sole and unique power of a body to act in a particular area. The examples show its use in legal and institutional settings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Formal & Business

35%

News & Media

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exclusive competence" is a grammatically correct and widely used term, particularly in legal and institutional contexts to denote sole authority. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function is to clarify jurisdictional boundaries. It appears most frequently in formal business, news, and academic settings. When using the phrase, ensure that the context explicitly states the area of authority to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "sole jurisdiction" can be used depending on the specific shade of meaning desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exclusive jurisdiction

Synonymous, offering the same legal nuance but with a different word order.

sole jurisdiction

Emphasizes the legal authority and right to administer justice in a particular area.

definitive competence

Highlights the decisive and conclusive nature of the ability or skill.

sole authority

Highlights the unique power and right to make decisions without external influence.

unilateral authority

Emphasizes that the authority can be exercised by one party alone, without needing consent.

ultimate authority

Implies the highest level of control and decision-making power, without possibility of appeal.

supreme authority

Indicates the highest and most comprehensive form of power or control.

independent authority

Shows the freedom from external control or influence in exercising authority.

final say

Focuses on the power to make the concluding decision, particularly in a process or negotiation.

absolute power

Conveys an unrestricted and unlimited form of control.

FAQs

How is "exclusive competence" typically used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "exclusive competence" refers to the sole authority of a body or institution over a particular matter. For example, a court might have "exclusive competence" to hear certain types of cases.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "exclusive competence"?

You can use alternatives like "sole jurisdiction", "sole authority", or "exclusive jurisdiction" depending on the context.

In the EU context, what does it mean for the EU to have "exclusive competence"?

In the EU, when the Union has "exclusive competence" in a specific area, only the EU may legislate and adopt legally binding acts. Member states can only do so if empowered by the Union.

What is the difference between "exclusive competence" and shared competence in the EU?

"Exclusive competence" means only the EU can legislate, while shared competence means member states can legislate if the EU has not done so. This differs from "supporting competence", where the EU supports member states' policies.