50164 - THE LAW OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

The aim of the course is to provide a comprehensive overview of the European Union legal order and the role of law in the European integration process. The first part of the course focuses on the EU institutional architecture, the legislative and decision-making process in the EU, as well as the system of remedies for enforcing EU law and judicial review. In the second part of the course, students acquire a deeper understanding of the substantive law of the European Union, focussing in particular on European Union citizenship, the Internal market (the four freedoms – free movement of goods, workers, establishment and services - competition and staid aid law), and EU fundamental rights. All topics in the course are dealt with particular attention to current developments in EU law, especially in relation to the impact of the Brexit process and the development of the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union. Overall, the course aims to introduce students to the complexities of European integration through in-depth analysis of the case law of the Court of Justice.

The course examines:

• The historical development of the EU.
• The Institutional structure of the EU.
• The decision making process of the EU.
• The effect of EU law in the national legal systems.
• The remedies available for Member States’ breaches of EU law.
• The effect of EU law on national procedural rules.
• The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU Union Citizenship.
• The four freedoms (free movement of goods, services, establishment and workers).
• The basic principles of competition law.
• The Brexit process.

• Understand the institutional framework of the EU.
• Understand the constitutional and legal framework of the EU and the way it interacts with national legal systems.
• Be familiar with the main areas of substantive law of the EU (Union citizenship, free movement, competition law and state aid).
• Understand the way the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU applies in the European legal system.

• Be able to navigate the case law of the European Court of Justice, identify relevant cases and apply them to relevant facts.
• Be able to solve a basic problem question using case law and relevant legal sources.
• Be able to show in-depth analytical understanding of the EU legal system.

• Face-to-face lectures
• Guest speaker's talks (in class or in distance)
• Group assignments

The lectures are complemented by guest lecturers from leading experts in European Union Law. The teaching is complemented by group exercises, to facilitate discussion and further understanding, and to prepare students to solve problem questions.

Written exam 100% of mark.

Repeating students are required to comply with the current course program.

• EU Law. Text, cases and materials, P. Craig and G. de Burca, OUP, 2016

  The consultation of EU Law, Barnard and Peers, OUP, latest edition is highly recommended

  Case law of the Court of Justice of the EU, available on www.curia.europa.eu.
• Use of web resources (listed in first handout).
• Handouts available on Bboard.
• Articles published in specialist journals.