European Union Law (PG)

The European Union is one of Australia's major trading partners. European Union Law strongly impacts on the legal systems of its Member States. It is important for Australian lawyers to understand how the legal system of the European Union operates in order to give advice on commercial transactions or other relations with the Union or any of its Member States. The course examines the legal, administrative and political structure of the European Union. The basic treaties on which the European Union is founded and current issues such as demands for treaty reform and the EU's enlargement will be considered. Specific topics covered will include the difference between the European Union and the European Communities; the institutional structure of the Union; law making in the EU; the impact of EU Law on the legal systems of the Member States and on individuals, especially the doctrines of direct effect, supremacy and state liability; the single market with the four basic market freedoms and the single currency; the external relations of the Union, especially with Australia; the future of the EU.