Edited by Manuel Kellerbauer and Jonathan Tomkin, both members of the Legal Service of the European Commission, and by Marcus Klamert, a member of the Legal Service at the Federal Chancellery of Austria, the book under review is a fresh and up-to-date readable commentary on the Treaty on the European Union (TEU), the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
As the editors state in the Preface (vii), the book is “a comprehensive article-by-article commentary that presents within a single volume the constitutional framework of the EU legal order and that ensures a clear and structured analysis of each provision of primary law as interpreted by the Union Courts.”
Apart from a few officials from Members States, the European Ombudsman and some academics, the rest and the vast majority of the contributors are from the Legal Service of the European Commission, with first-hand insights and knowledge. Furthermore, the limited number of authors (only 21 including the editors) for a work of this size (almost 2250 pages of text), made it possible to maintain a certain homogeneity and continuity between the comments.
Each comment follows a set structure, offering a short overview of the Article, the Article text itself, a key references list including essential case law and legislation, and a structured commentary on the Article itself. Overall, the book provides fast and to-the-point access to legal knowledge that practitioners need for their daily work without giving up on references to doctrine and case law. In this respect, particular attention is given to the interpretation of the articles by the Union Courts. Indeed, the aim of the book is to show how the EU Treaties and the Charter are interpreted and applied in practice, with a focus on those issues that are of greatest interest to practitioners.
Worth mentioning, in addition to a large section concerning the references to the relevant legislation and case law, is the very detailed index (63 pages) that helps the reader to find the relevant articles and commentaries dealing with specific aspects and issues. Finally, the book is also available in a digital pack version (which costs £320), a digital app with enhanced user functionalities that ensures access to the text and all your accompanying notes wherever you are. The app is available on PC, Mac, Android devices, iPad and iPhone.
The Commentary brilliantly balances the academic approach with an eye for practitioners looking for a thorough but concise and practical guide to the articles of the EU Treaties and Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. It is highly recommended.
Riccardo Sciaudone
Head
Reviewed July 2019