The Law of the European Union - EC/EU Law

The law of the European Union is ever changing. Relying not so much upon a black letter legal interpretation familiar to the English common lawyer, it requires a knowledge and understanding of the teleological approach of the European Court of Justice and intuitions of the European Union. FTB possesses remarkable depth and experience in European law. Lord Kingsland QC was for many years a member of the European Parliament. Other members of chambers have worked for the European Commission and the European Court of Justice.

This is an area of law where there has long been a close relationship between academe and practice. Indeed, many judges of the European Court of Justices have been principally professors rather than practitioners. Prof. Andrea Biondi is an academic tenant. He is the Professor of European Law at King's College, London, where he is Director of the European Institute and a leading expert on EU state aids. The academic panel includes Dr. Aine Ryall, a Lecturer at the University of Cork, who is an international expert on Environmental Impact Assessment and Access to Information.

Part of the acquis communaitaire for the European Union derives from the legal traditions of member states. Through our system of academic and door tenancies, FTB can draw upon the expert assistance of members qualified in other European jurisdictions. Darren Abrahams practises in Brussels. Paul Hardy is currently working for the Council of Europe.

Members of Chambers have been involved in European cases at all levels of court within this country. Some of the cases before the European Court of Justice in which members of chambers have been involved include the following:

• Stanley Adams v Commission concerning EU Competition law
• The Woodpulp Case concerning EU Competition law
• Euro Tombesi concerning EU waste law
• Wells concerning EU Environmental Impact Assessment
• R (Barker) v Bromley LBC concerning EU Environmental Impact Assessment
• R (Thames) v Bromley Magistrates' Court