 The legality of the EEA family permit requirement was challenged before the European Court of Justice in "R (McCarthy) v Home Secretary".Although an English High Court judge, Justice Haddon-Cave, had ruled against the McCarthys, he had decided to refer the matter to the European Court.On 20 May 2014, Advocate General Maciej Szpunar issued an opinion in favour of the McCarthys, holding that the family permit requirement violated EU law.