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European Union Law

Module description

This module begins with the origins of the European Union in the aftermath of the devastation of World War II. It traces the evolution of the EU’s institutions and its ‘constitution’, that is, the way in which laws are made and challenged, and the relationship between EU law and national law. You will also be introduced to some substantive EU law, in particular the free movement of goods and workers.

Module aims - intentions of the module

EU law remains important to English lawyers. Firstly, the EU has been a source of inspiration for a considerable amount of law that is now retained and applied in England and Wales. Secondly, the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement strongly indicates that the EU will remain a significant UK trading partner for the foreseeable future. The purpose of this module is therefore to provide you with a foundational understanding of EU law, which will help elucidate aspects of English and Welsh law, and which will equip you with the knowledge and perspective needed for an outward-looking and globalised practice.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. identify, explain and critically evaluate key issues in EU law and to apply relevant rules and theories;
• 2. compare, analyse and synthesise the principal rules and theories relating to EU law.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. demonstrate detailed knowledge of legal concepts and their contextual, social, and political implications;
• 4. select, integrate and present coherently and reflectively relevant law and legal or theoretical arguments.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. manage relevant learning resources, information and learning strategies to develop own arguments and opinions with minimum guidance;
• 6. work independently and manage time efficiently in preparing for scheduled learning activities and assessments.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

• Introducing the European Union: history and evolution.
• EU institutions: The Commission, Council of the EU, European Council, European    
• Parliament and the Court of Justice of the European Union.
• Sources of EU law: transfer, competence and law making.
• The EU legal system: The Treaties, primary and secondary legislation. General principles.
• Doctrine of supremacy. Reception of EU law by member states.
• Direct and indirect effect. State liability.
• Preliminary Rulings. Actions against Member States.
• Free movement of goods – tariffs and fiscal barriers.
• Free movement of goods – non-fiscal barriers.
• Free movement of workers.
• EU citizenship.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

It is planned to make a custom textbook available for purchase. Other texts include:

P. Craig  and G. de Burca,   EU Law: Text, Cases and Materials   (most recent edition)

D. Chalmers  European Union Law  (most recent edition)

C. Barnard  European Union Law  (most recent edition)  

N. Foster   Blackstones EU Treaties & Legislation  (most recent edition)

Key words search

European Union Law