Prospectus

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European Union Law: The Four Freedoms

Course
2013-2014

Please note that the following description of the course is only provisional and therefore subject to change.

Dutch students that have followed the 5 ECTS Course Europees Recht (BA III) will not receive credits for this course due to the material overlap.

Admission requirements

Background in law, preferably students are familiar with the basics of EU law (institutions, treaties, general principles)

Sufficient command of English (IELTS 6.5 or higher)

Description

The EU internal market is at the very heart of the European integration process. It comprises an area where the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital is ensured. This course will focus precisely on the internal market and its four fundamental freedoms. The free movement of goods, persons, services and capital will be studied through case-law of the European courts and their daily impact will be discussed: what are the consequences for natural and legal persons within the EU and how can their rights be protected? Can you establish yourself as a lawyer in other EU-Member States, can your family join, can your children get study grants? What are the rules behind French cheese, Belgian chocolate, Spanish wine and Swedish bread? These are just some of the issues which will be dealt with throughout this course.
Through assignments and class discussions, students will get a practical grasp of EU substantive law and will learn to work with the EU treaties and secondary EU legislation. Students will learn to read and analyze cases from the European Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and study some of its most important judgments.

Course objectives

Objectives of the course

  • To provide students with a thorough understanding of the rationale and fundamentals behind the EU internal market;

  • To provide students with a clear understanding of the four freedoms: free movement of goods, persons, services and capital;

  • To teach students how to read and analyze judgments by the European courts, as well as EU legislation;

  • To teach students how to work with and solve case study through assignments;

  • To provide students with an overall understanding of the daily impact of the EU and its laws.

Achievement levels
The following achievement levels apply with regard to the course:
By the end of this course, students will:

  • Have a good understanding of the functioning of the European internal market;

  • Be able to read case law by the European courts and analyze the main legal issues;

  • Be able to analyze and interpret EU legislation.

Timetable

The timetable of this course can be found in uSis.

Mode of instruction

Lectures

  • Number of (2 hour) lectures: 10
    The course will take place over five weeks with two classes per week. Each lecture lasts two hours and they are interactive. The lecturer will discuss with students the assigned reading materials and students will present cases which have been assigned previously.

  • Names of lecturers: Dr Darinka Piqani

  • Required preparation by students:
    Students should read carefully all assigned reading materials and cases. They should actively participate in discussion. They will also be required to submit written assignments on case studies concerning practical issues of EU law.

Seminars
None

Other methods of instruction
None

Assessment method

Examination form(s)

  • Written exam

  • Written assignments

If only a few students fail the exam at the first attempt, the resit may be an oral exam. In that case, students will be informed by the coordinator 10 days ahead of the scheduled re-sit date.

Submission procedures
Assignment will be submitted through blackboard

Areas to be tested within the exam
The examination syllabus consists of the required reading (literature) for the course, the course information guide and the subjects taught in the lectures, the seminars and all other instructions which are part of the course.

Blackboard

Course materials are contained in the reader and on Blackboard, which is the faculty’s e-learning environment. On the specific course site you may find additional information of an organisational nature as well as references to new judgments and other developments. Blackboard will also offer you an opportunity to ask questions. More information on this course is offered in Blackboard.

Reading list

Obligatory course materials
Literature:

  • C. Barnard, The Substantive Law of the EU: The Four Freedoms, 3rd ed, 2010, Oxford: Oxford University Press

  • N. Forster, Blackstone’s Collection of EU law, 2012 or latest available edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Course information guide:

  • In the reader

Reader:

  • Reader will be available before the start of the course

Recommended course materials

  • None

Registration

Students have to register for courses and exams through uSis.

Contact information

  • Co-ordinator: Dr Darinka Piqani

  • Work address: KOG Building Room B.125

  • Contact information:

  • Telephone number: +31 (0)71 527 8503

  • Email: d.piqani@law.leidenuniv.nl

Institution/division

  • Institute: Public Law

  • Department: European Law

  • Room number secretary: B. 121

  • Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9-17h

  • Telephone number secretary: 071 – 527 8837

  • Email: w.h.rodger@law.leidenuniv.nl

Remarks

None