The Treaty of Lisbon has significantly changed the EU legal and institutional general framework. It is no surprise that many books have been written on the changes and novelties of the new EU law landscape. Edited by Professor (and former référendaire at the Court of Justice of the European Union) Carlo Curti Gialdino, Codice dell’Unione Europea - Operativo, published by Gruppo Editoriale Simone, is currently the first commentary in the Italian language of the provisions of the EU Treaties in the amended and consolidated version following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty. Featuring a preface by Commission President Barroso, the volume aims to contribute to a wider understanding of EU law between legal practitioners (lawyers and judges in particular), as well as among scholars, teachers and students of Law Faculties).
Although published in Italian, the volume has been written by authors coming from seven EU Member States (such as Germany, France and Spain). Another significant element is that the majority of the 99 authors are (or have been) officials within the EU institutions, with the majority of them being (or having been) référendaires at the EU Courts. Also worth mentioning that the volume contains, in addition to the commentary on the Treaty of the European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, a large and informative introduction to the 54 articles of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
With regards to the methodology, the approach followed in the volume emphasizes case law and practices of the EU institutions. In this respect, the analysis is focused on EU law as it is interpreted and applied by the EU Institutions and national Courts rather than focusing on theoretical or political arguments. As regards to the structure of the comments, they enable the reader to understand the origin, the rationale and the scope of application of each provision. Particular attention is paid to the developments of jurisprudence, while the solutions proposed by the doctrine have been recalled especially with regards to issues not yet covered by case-law or on matters which are particularly controversial.
Overall, the volume under review is to be welcomed and recommended as it fully achieves its purposes. It offers a thorough, yet clear and manageable, overview of the articles of the EU Treaties, proving to be a useful and reliable tool for practitioners as well for academics and students.
Riccardo Sciaudone
Head