Understanding Eu Law

Providing short, clear and accessible explanations of the main areas of EU law, Understanding European Union Law is both an ideal introduction for students new to EU law and an essential addition to revision for the more accomplished. This eighth edition has been fully revised and updated with the latest legislative changes and includes an in-depth discussion of ‘Brexit’ and its implications for EU–UK relations. The book provides readers with a clear understanding of the structures and rationale behind EU law, explaining how and why the law has developed as it has. In addition to discussing the core areas of EU law such as its sources, the role and powers of the EU’s Institutions, the enforcement of EU law and the law of the internal market, this edition also includes a new chapter on three ‘non-economic’ areas of EU law: fundamental human rights, equality (non-discrimination) and the environment. This student-friendly text is both broad in scope and highly accessible. It will inspire students towards further study and show that understanding EU law can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. As well as being essential reading for Law students, Understanding European Union Law is also suitable for students on other courses where basic knowledge of EU law is required or useful, such as business studies, political science, international relations or European studies programmes.

This unique book is not an introduction to European Law. It provides an understanding of methodology, objectives and principles of EU law. It tries to explain its legal peculiarities, particularly with regard to the concept of internal market. It takes as starting point its liberal roots enshrined in the free movement, competition and autonomy provisions, but focuses equally on the development of countervailing principles about citizenship, adequate standards, and governance. It refers selectively to important secondary law, in particular directives, and to leading cases of the European Court of Justice. It is directed at all law scholars, students, practitioners, political scientists, in the old and new Member countries of the EU as well as third countries who want to understand what EU law is all about. It will allow the reader a first orientation, without suffocating him or her in too much detail.

This book provides a detailed analysis of the objectives, principles, and methods of EU internal market law. It focuses on the substantive law of the internal market: the strongest, most developed, and most original part of EU law. It introduces the reader to the legal peculiarities of EU internal market law, including its sources, instruments, methods of interpretation, effects, and the relationship between EU and national law. It also acquaints the reader with the acquis communautaire - the case law of the European courts and secondary EU legislation. From this starting point, the book looks at the issue of personal application of EU law. From being only a law for market citizens (individuals acting in the market), EU law has become the law for all citizens and residents living in Member States, whether they are active market participants or not. Thus, EU law determines everybody's everyday rights and duties alongside (and occasionally overriding) existing national law. This is based on the principle of equal treatment. What follows is an analysis of the original liberal esprit des lois of EU law, the opening and keeping open of markets through the free movement rules, and competition and IP rules. The current trend of setting adequate standards - the most important the horizontal standards, applying to everybody, such as non-discrimination and fundamental rights - is discussed as well. A special chapter is devoted to autonomy, since the generous, but not unlimited, grant of autonomy to the market citizen must be respected by Member States and fellow market citizens. Finally the question of accountability and liability - of the EU itself, of its Member States, of undertakings, and of citizens - is discussed. This third edition is a joint work by three authors coming from different jurisdiction. Its starting point is not any one national legal background and thinking. Instead it combines different national experiences into a substantially European approach.

Understanding European Union Law is both an ideal introduction for students new to EU law and an essential addition to revision for the more accomplished. It is also essential reading for students on business studies courses. This fourth edition has been fully revised and updated in the light of the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty and continues to look at the main themes of EU law in a logical and progressive manner. It provides the reader with an understanding of EU law, concentrating on how, and especially why, the law has developed as it has. In addition, a number of issues presently facing the EU are also considered, such as fundamental rights and citizenship. The new edition incorporates summaries, end of chapter questions for self-testing and reflection; updated flow diagrams; a glossary of terms and important tips on how to approach examination questions. This student-friendly text is broad in scope and highly accessible. The ultimate objective of this book is to show that understanding EU law can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

An excellent introduction to EU law for students new to the discipline and acting as an essential revision aid for the more experienced, this new edition has been fully revised and updated. The author, an experienced lecturer at undergraduate level, examines the main themes of EU law in a logical and progressive manner. Focusing on how and why the law has developed as it has, this book provides readers with a thorough understanding of EU law, including a number of issues presently facing the EU, such as enlargement and the prospect of a comprehensive written constitution. Student-friendly, it comprises a wide range of pedagogical features including: summaries comprehensive tables of cases and legislation a list of abbreviations a glossary of important terms helpful tips on how to approach essay and exam questions. Broad in scope and highly accessible Understanding European Union Law , is essential reading, providing a solid foundation for students new to EU law/business as well as being a useful revision aid for those more familiar with the topic.

An accessible and interdisciplinary take on EU law and governance, situating EU law in its political, social and cultural context.

The Understanding Law Series is a collection of introductions designed particularly with the new law student in mind.

This book presents in a concise and accessible way why the EU institutional system exists in its present form, how the EU fits into the world as a system of governance, and who is involved in EU policy processes. It outlines the historical context which has shaped the EU system, gives a summary of the system's basic principles and structures, and describes its actors, procedures and instruments. The main theme is to show that EU decision-making is not just a matter of action at some higher and separate level, of ‘them and us’, but rather that it involves different forms of cooperation between European, national and regional authorities, as well as interaction between public and private actors. Numerous short case studies illustrate how people’s day-to-day activities are affected by EU decisions, and how individuals’ concerns are represented in the decision-making process. The book provides insights and examples which will be very helpful for all students of European integration. It will also be a valuable resource for European citizens wishing to understand the basic realities and rationales, as well as some of the dilemmas, behind EU policy-making.