Entry requirements:

Basic knowledge about the institutional structure and legal system of EU law. Students will tipically have completed a basic course in EU law, including the institutions, basic legal principles and elements of the internal market (e.g. free movement of goods).

Objectives of the course:

To transfer the knowledge about substantive guarantees and procedures for the protection of fundamental rights in the law of the European Union, and within the framework of the Council of Europe, by studying the chosen legal materials and by practical application; to explain the distinction between different branches of jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights, European Court of Justice and the Court of First Instance and to understand differences and choices between different judicial procedures. To develop general understanding about how to reconcile free trade and fundamental rights requirements within the legal system of the EU.

Learning outcomes:

After having completed the course students will be able to demonstrate understanding of some substantive law in the field of protection of fundamental rights and judicial procedures before the European Court of Human Rights, European Court of Justice and the Court of First Instance, as well as before constitutional and other national courts; to recognise and, by solving legal problems, apply legal norms which grant fundamental rights and gender equality at national and European level; to understand economic, political and social circumstances that influence the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, European Court of Justice and the Court of First Instance; to critically evaluate and interpret national and international sources of fundamental rights.

Working materials:

All class reading is attached to relevant teaching units and downloadable from this page. Materials should be printed and read in advance of each class. General materials, including the EU Treaty and the EC Treaty, as well as the Lisbon Treaty, are downloadable as PDF files in integral text. Only some parts thereof will be used in class. To download general materials please have a look at Downloads at the bottom of the page.

Exam:

Open book essay and/or a hipothetical