Venezuela v. Council is the first direct action before the Court of Justice of the European Union that will consider whether third countries may act as applicants to challenge acts of the European Union under the fourth paragraph of Article 263 TFEU. Specifically at issue in that case is the determination of ‘legal personality’ and ‘direct concern’. Both matters are threshold conditions for the question of admissibility of a case before the EU Courts. On 20 January 2021, Advocate General Hogan delivered his Opinion on the satisfaction of those conditions. Therein, he finds that Venezuela satisfies both the conditions for ‘legal personality’ and ‘direct effect’. This case note seeks to summarize and reflect on the Advocate General‘s assessment.