Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives This course is designed for Australian and other non-EU lawyers who, for professional or academic reasons, seek an introduction to the legal system and economic law of the European Union.
Synopsis The `Common Market' of the 1960s has become the `European Union' of today. Most of Australia's legal, political and intellectual traditions originate in one or more of the European Union's fifteen member states. The European Union's highly developed legal system provides a fascinating study in institutions and processes of international law being transformed into a quasi-federal constitutional structure. The European Union is also Australia's largest economic partner, and if of major economic significance to the East Asian and Pacific regions. With a population of more than 350 million, the European Union possesses the world's biggest integrated market economy. Week one of the course will examine the legal system, focusing on the Union's aims, main political and judicial institutions, law-making and judicial processes, protection of fundamental freedoms, `general' (ie constitutional) principles of law and the relationship between Union and national laws. Week two will provide an overview of the most significant features of the Union's economic law; free movement of goods, persons, services and capital; right of establishment; equal pay; common commercial policy.
Assessment Research essay (8000 words) 80% + Class participation 20%