20. EU health law

This chapter examines EU law on health. Specifically, it discusses the law governing patient mobility; healthcare professionals; healthcare institutions; medical devices and pharmaceuticals; blood, organs, and human tissue; and public health.

19. Labour and equality law

This chapter discusses a number of key EU labour and equality law issues. These include restructuring of enterprises; information, consultation, and worker participation; how national collective labour law is affected by the four freedoms; flexible work and working conditions; the EU and national labour law in times of economic crisis; and gender equality, comprehensive equality, and protection against discrimination on other grounds.

17. Competition law

This chapter examines the two core competition rules that govern anti-competitive agreements (Article 101 TFEU) and abuse of a dominant position (Article 102 TFEU). It begins with an overview of EU competition law. It then discusses the enforcement and consequences of infringement; who Articles 101 and 102 TFEU apply to and when they apply. It also identifies anti-competitive agreements and conduct.

16. Exceptions to the free movement rules

This chapter examines when Member States can lawfully displace the obligations placed on them by free movement law. Free movement rights can be restricted under EU law in two ways. For discriminatory or distinctly applicable restrictive measures, a derogation ground expressly provided for in the TFEU must be engaged. For indirectly or non-discriminatory measures, that is, indistinctly applicable restrictive measures, if an overriding requirement relating to the public interest can be demonstrated the measure will be lawful. In both cases, the restriction also has to satisfy a proportionality test, that is, it is both appropriate and necessary for achieving the relevant public interest objective.

7. EU law: is it international law?

This chapter examines the legal nature of EU law, i.e. its place within the realm of international law. It first presents the ‘straightforward’ view that EU law is a part (or ‘sub-system’) of international law. It then considers the ‘alternative’ view that EU law, although originating in international law, is now so distinctive that it should no longer be considered to be part of international law. It concludes with a discussion of the EU as both an object and subject of international law.

8. General principles of EU law and EU administrative law

This chapter examines the steps which take place after legislation has been passed. It also looks at the principles and rules that exist to ensure the legality and legitimacy of administrative action implementing EU law. It begins with an overview of the key institutions and agencies of the EU and what they do. It then discusses the applicable law which is key to developing notions of accountability and the protection of rights in this field.

18. Economic and Monetary Union

This chapter explains how the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) was set up and the flaws within the system. It gives a brief overview of the euro crisis and its relationship to, and consequences for, EMU. Finally, it looks to the current debate on the future of EMU and the EU, including the development of an EU banking union.

14. Free movement of legal persons and the provision of services

This chapter discusses EU rules which apply to a legal person’s establishment rights under Article 49 TFEU and its rights to provide services under Article 56 and 57 TFEU. It begins by discussing the Treaty provisions on freedom of establishment and free movement of services. It then considers some key pieces of secondary legislation adopted in the field of freedom of establishment and free movement of services - legislation intended to facilitate the operation of the freedoms in respect of legal persons.

9. Fundamental rights in the European Union

This chapter examines fundamental rights in the EU. It begins by analysing the historical background and the development of the case law on fundamental rights. It then examines the main Treaty provisions relating to fundamental rights protection, before turning to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. Finally, it looks at the relationship between the EU and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), including the extent to which the European Court of Human Rights agrees to scrutinize EU acts. It also considers the plan for the EU to accede to the ECHR.

6. The effects of EU law in the national legal systems

This chapter examines how EU law interacts with national legal systems. It first explains the default rules for the national application of EU law. It then focuses on three key principles: direct effect, indirect effect, and primacy. It considers requirements formulated with respect to procedures for the national enforcement of EU law and state liability for breaches of EU law. The chapter concludes with a case study, which illustrates the interplay between the rules and principles introduced in this chapter.