David Edward, Robert Lane, Edward And Lane On European Union Law, Edward Elgar, Hardback (ISBN: 978-0-85793-104-7), Price: £258.00 (£232.20 on the publisher’s website), Paperback (ISBN: 978-1-78195-179-8) Price: £39.95 (£31.96 on the publisher’s website).

Readers looking for a thorough consideration of EU Law should seriously consider Edward and Lane’s book on European Union law. Written by David Edward, former member of the Court of Justice of the European Union, and Robert Lane, an experienced academic, the book enriches (and increases the quality of) the landscape of treatise on European Union law. 

Available in hardback or in a more affordable paperback version, the book, which also contains a forward by Advocate General Sharpston, is a comprehensive and substantial work giving an overall view on EU law. Comprising fourteen chapters divided into four Parts, Edward and Lane provide, in the first Part, a concise, yet very informative, overview of the history of EU integration and the basic structure and rules of the functioning of the European institutions. In the second Part, the authors explore the structure and interplay of EU institutions, including an extensive section on the special role and functioning of the EU judicature. The third Part concerns sources, nature and methods of European Union Law. This is an essential part of the book as it explains the relationship of EU legislation with the national legal systems of the Member States. In the final fourth Part the reader is also introduced to the key principles of the internal market. It is worth mentioning that the free movement of goods and the free movement of workers are treated in a comprehensive way. Moderately detailed is the section concerning EU competition. In addition, a number of other EU policies, such as Environmental Protection and Social Policy are also outlined. 

The book, which benefits considerably from the authors’ experiences and skills, highlights the relevant case law of the Court of Justice of the EU which has developed the way in which EU law influences and interacts with national legal systems. However, such references are not arid quotations (as often happens in some textbooks on EU law) but are always personalized by the authors’ personal writing style and thought-provoking approach, which makes the book much more readable and interesting to read. As such, the book is a must-have for academics and practitioners but is also recommended to students.

In conclusion, those looking for a clear and authoritative, yet very readable and personal in style, account of EU law, should look at Edward And Lane On European Union Law as an extremely excellent alternative to other available textbooks.

Riccardo Sciaudone

Head

Reviewed May 2015