Every legal system, at the outset of court proceedings, has rules aimed at safeguarding parties' interests during the time needed to obtain a judgment on the merits. However, as the European Commission put the case in a 1997 communication, 'a comparative survey of national legislation reveals that there are virtually no definitions of provisional/protective measures and that the legal situations vary widely. The only convergence that can be ascertained is between the function of such measures.' Recognizing that after almost twenty years the issues noted by the Commission have not found a satisfactory solution, here at last is a book that collects and compares the ideas behind the 'preliminary injunction' (an expression the authors use as a general term for a great variety of provisional and precautionary measures) with an eye to defining and organizing this small but very important aspect of the law. Although the analysis touches on relevant measures from many countries, the authors focus on the national legislation in four EU Member States – England, France, Germany, and Italy – to highlight the nature of the differences these kinds of measures entail. They compare and contrast such aspects as the following: – differences in civil procedure; - the types of measures that may be taken; - the terms on which preliminary injunctions, which are normally directly enforceable, may be ordered by a court; - the kind of assets that may be affected; - the relationship between proceedings in an interlocutory action and proceedings on the substance; - necessity of credible evidence that immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage will result if no preliminary injunction is granted; and - the role of protective measures in summary proceedings. The study also describes and examines the recent European order for payment (EC Regulation No. 1896/2006), the most significant existing transnational instrument aimed at granting preliminary protection of creditors' rights. This incomparable book represents a major contribution to a growing debate, particularly in Europe, on ways and means of securing equivalent protection for all litigants. Given the variety of legal systems and of measures available, the debate will have to focus on the functions served by provisional/protective measures, the minimum conditions to be satisfied, the adversary procedure requirement, the enforceability of the measures, and possible redress procedures. There is no more thorough and reliable resource available to clarify these issues for practitioners and interested policymakers everywhere.

With the European Commission’s announcement of the Capital Markets Union in 2016, a major step was at last taken to provide for the special needs of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This book presents the first in-depth legal analysis of the challenges that SMEs have to face when managing their balance sheets and trying to attract investors, what alternative financing tools are most effective and how recent legislation reaches fair and convenient conditions for SMEs. The analysis focuses specifically on the Capital Markets Union structure and on other European initiatives that support and enhance SMEs’ raising money on capital markets in order to better diversify their investments and plan a growth and development strategy. An updated description of the European framework is provided, together with references to relevant national systems. Issues and topics covered include the following: need for long-lasting access to funds; securitization for SMEs; SME Z-score; crowdfunding; and peer-to-peer, minibond and accounts receivables financing. Case study analyses furnish a deep understanding of the financial structures and their main features. Appendices include English texts of the main European Union (EU) legal documents pertaining to SMEs. For SMEs discouraged by over-regulation designed for larger businesses, and who find themselves in difficulties when they have to face the required process, this book will prove to be of immeasurable practical value. This book represents one of the first publications on SMEs and finance and contains data and information resulting from a deep and well-focused research on the topic. The added value of this study will allow the academics to understand the main issues related to this topic and will provide for a steady basis for further research and analysis with regards to law and economics for SMEs. Furthermore, it will be also warmly welcomed by practitioners in the area of SME financing and will be useful to support them in the selection of the most appropriate tools for their clients. Banks and interested EU officials will also value its clear and straightforward approach to the subject.

The fundamental right to privacy, in the sense of non-interference by government, is protected by international and national law. Nonetheless, today the laws of privacy are being stretched to their limits and even violated by governments in the name of security. This book, by one of Europe’s most trusted authorities on the legal aspects of telecommunications technology, analyses the use of legal instruments by government agencies to determine if they restrict the fundamental right of privacy and if the grounds to do so are acceptable within a democratic society. Unpacking the complexity of the various factors on each side – privacy and the general interest of safety – the author clearly describes the relevant tensions in the following major areas of current law: – data protection regulations; – regulations on interception and retention of personal data in the telecommunication sector; – anti–money laundering; and – strategies used to protect national security against terrorist activities. The analysis pays detailed attention to the relevant provisions of international and regional conventions, to deliberated principles and guidelines, and to the case law of the European Court of Human Rights and other courts at every level. Legal theories of sovereignty are also taken into account. This is the most thorough treatment available of the grounds and circumstances that state agencies invoke to intrude upon citizens’ rights of privacy and the procedures in place to legitimize these intrusions. Its ultimate contribution – the setting forth of a set of circumstances under which the limitation of privacy should be allowed, including a consideration of what principles and conditions should underpin this policy – will prove of inestimable value to policymakers, government institutions, and practitioners in several fi elds related to human rights. Robert van den Hoven van Genderen has worked as a legal expert on telecommunications technology, regulation of the Internet, and anti–money laundering measures in both public and private sectors, in addition to legal and academic practice.

The ongoing reform in the organisation of the European Union courts makes an updated edition of this indispensable resource essential. Following the book established easy-to-use structure, the second edition offers a reliable, thorough guide to the renewed rules of procedure of the Court of Justice and the General Court as well as updated provisions and practice directions, including the relevant case law, together with a focus on the extensive treatment of remedies available in these courts and how to secure them. With the expert guidance of one of Europe foremost jurists, the book clearly explains which rules apply and how to proceed in the course of any kind of case and any situation likely to arise. From foundations and principles to specific issues regarding the assignment of cases, preliminary rulings, rules on evidence, annulment, illegality, failure to act, pleas, judgments and orders, appeal and much more, the book covers all essential elements of Court of Justice of the European Union procedure, including the following: division of competences between the Union courts; admissibility; rules regarding anonymity; service of documents; setting and extension of time limits, hearings, witnesses and experts; deposit and recovery of sums; application of competition rules, rules on state aid and rules on trade protection; rules in cases concerning intellectual property rights; rules in actions brought on the basis of an arbitration agreement; rules governing access to documents; languages; legal aid; interim measures; damages; expedited procedures; and scope of the rules on costs. Any lawyer seeking appropriate remedies in any case before the European Union courts will benefit enormously from this book, whether used as a hands-on manual in particular cases or absorbed over time. It is sure to serve as an essential resource for many years to come.

European Monographs Series, Volume 9 This second and much-revised edition of the pre-eminent work on European Union (EU) agricultural law emphasises the sweeping changes that have led to the gradual expansion of the common agricultural policy to encompass the food chain as a whole. Although the new edition’s purpose and methodology remain the same, the author presents a completely new overview of the field as it now exists, including the effects of the latest reform measures up to 2021 and their implications for the future. Imparting in-depth awareness of the multifunctional character of agriculture today – its importance for environmental protection, preservation of biodiversity, public health, mitigation of climate change, and rural development, as well as its international obligations – the book provides matchless insight and clarifications on such critical legal details as the following: analysis of the Green Deal, the Farm to Fork Strategy, and the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030; extensive treatment of the TFEU provisions on agriculture and the impact of international legal instruments; clear and easily accessible treatment of the legislation on market and price policy, competition, and the agri-food chain; thorough analysis of administrative law aspects, in particular, the rights and obligations of operators in the framework of numerous subsidy arrangements and related topics such as sanctions and force majeure; and in-depth treatment of the importance of the general principles of EU law for legal protection. Given that about one-third of the EU’s budget is spent on agriculture – and that European legislation on agriculture is voluminous and complicated and case law is abundant – this well-organised and lucid exposition will be of immeasurable value to any practitioner asked to deal with a case involving agriculture anywhere in the EU. Academics aware of the growing intricacy of the field will welcome the author’s reflections on the meaning and significance of EU agricultural law.

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has started to implement what is arguably the most signi cant set of reforms since the Nice Treaty, with notably the doubling of the number of judges at the General Court and the disappearance of the Civil Service Tribunal. Controversies surrounding the process and outcomes of the reforms called for a broader re ection on the European Courts and the way they cope with old and new challenges. To this end, this volume brings together junior and seasoned academics and practitioners to take stock of the various aspects of these reforms and the overall functioning of the EU Judiciary, from comparative, ‘insider’, and ‘outsider’ perspectives. Broadening and deepening our understanding of the reorganisation of the EU Judiciary, the contributors offer incisive analyses of reforms and evolutions, including: – a critical appraisal of the reform process and the role and powers of the CJEU; – implications of the reforms for the Court of Justice and the General Court; – lessons from the practice of the now dismantled Civil Service Tribunal; – a re ection on the future Uni ed Patent Court; – an evaluation of the role of the CJEU’s members and staffs and their selection; – an insider’s perspective into the workings of the repeat players (Legal Services of the European Commission and of the European Parliament) and the parties’ lawyers; – an assessment of the procedural reforms before the Court of Justice and the General Court with a speci c focus on the PPU; – the unfolding and impact of the digital revolution (e-Curia) on the CJEU; – the challenges of the languages regime and legal reasoning before the CJEU. Comparative perspectives elucidate speci c judiciary reforms across Europe, including detailed analyses of developments at the European Court of Human Rights, the French Conseil Constitutionnel, and the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. As a timely assessment of the effects of recent reforms on the EU Courts’ decision-making practices, roles, and identities, and more broadly on the legitimacy of the EU and its institutions as a whole, this book is unparalleled. It will be of great value to practitioners engaged in EU litigation, scholars of European law and policymakers at EU institutions, and all those interested in judicial process and reform.

Amid widespread awareness and discussion of “the democratic deficit” and “shrinking civil space,” the role of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) becomes increasingly important. Yet the precise legal status of such bodies is ill-defined. Here, for the first time, is a thorough commentary and analysis of the position of NGOs and European civil society in the European Union (EU) constitutional system, bringing to the fore existing and desirable means of public participation in EU lawmaking. Recognizing that NGOs have historically been designed to meet the ends of civil society, the analysis focuses on the following topics and issues: means in EU law of advocating for the collective interests of civil society; unofficial means of influencing the EU institutions; access to documents and the European Citizens’ Initiative as means of exerting pressure on EU legislation; relations between the EU institutions and NGOs, including lobbying activities; bringing actions in the common good before courts and other institutions; the special role of NGOs in environmental protection; complaints to the Commission and the European Ombudsman; EU funding for NGOs; and transboundary philanthropy. Drawing on a broad spectrum of sources of law, including CJEU case law and relevant legal literature, the book offers insightful proposals leading to the democratization of the EU’s internal procedures that will allow enhanced cooperation of civil society representatives across national borders. In its thorough examination of legal tools that can respond to the “democratic deficit,” this book makes a distinctive contribution to the public debate on the future of the European Union, especially in the context of emerging threats to further integration. It will prove of great value not only to civil activists, academics and policymakers but also to everyone interested in European integration and affordance for social participation.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) has grown considerably worldwide in recent decades, alongside the no-less considerable development of international ‘supply chains’. In the European Union (EU), stock held by foreign investors exceeds EUR 6 billion, while stock held in the rest of the world by EU investors exceeds EUR 7 billion. This important book analyses the current and proposed regimes of FDI screening in the EU, highlighting mechanisms designed to enhance FDI’s advantages and minimize its drawbacks. Leading practitioners, policymakers and academics discuss the 2017 European Commission proposal on FDI screening and its resulting Regulation, focusing on such issues and topics as the following: the economics of FDI screening; rising protectionism versus further investment liberalization; how the EU framework connects with WTO rules; the dangers of foreign investment in sectors essential to public order and security; how the EU regulatory layer interacts with FDI screening at Member State level; and perceived lacunae in the way the EU addresses incoming FDI. Two detailed examples of how FDI screening works in practice are included, along with a comparative view of FDI screening in the United States. Contributions commenting specifically on the EU Regulation deal with the process of adopting the Regulation and the impact of opposing views, and how the Regulation aligns with EU policy in the areas of trade, investment and competition. Companies engaged in FDI or financial services will appreciate the detailed analysis of issues raised by this new EU policy instrument. Practitioners active in competition law, particularly M&A, will welcome this clear commentary and analysis of a crucial component of EU policy in the related areas of trade and investment, and policymakers will be encouraged to consider whether further regulatory changes are called for.

If Brexit comes to pass, what changes in the United Kingdom legal system will the world face when dealing with the UK? The contributors to this penetrating new collection of studies – a worthy successor to the widely read pre-referendum Britain Alone! – bring a prodigious level of expert scrutiny to the myriad of rami?cations of this hugely complex subject. This book gathers together experts from different ?elds of legal practice and academia, not only to discuss the ongoing negotiations but also – and most valuably – to highlight and address the legal implications of possible scenarios and solutions for a post-Brexit United Kingdom and European Union. With topical chapters based on the Brexit Seminar Series held by the Centre of European Law at King's College London, the contributors address the challenges, options, opportunities, and possibilities that the Brexit process may engender in such areas as the following: – constitutional and administrative law; – the European Economic Area and the European Free Trade Association; – EU State aid; – the Irish border; – the fall-back position of the WTO rules should no agreement be achieved; – banking law, ?nancial services, and capital markets; – debt restructuring and insolvency practice; – environmental issues; – private international law; – tax; – citizenship; – social security; and – residence rights, especially considering women and children. Due to the unprecedented event that Brexit represents, there is an insatiable need for knowledge and technical detail as to its possible legal implications. This book, in its thorough analysis of the ongoing Brexit process and its technical understanding of the meaning of Brexit for several substantive areas of law, offers a solidly grounded and revealing exploration of the future that is particularly enlightening in explaining the challenges that the UK legal order is facing as a consequence of Brexit.

Online content moderation is a well-known phenomenon. However, no consistent pattern exists on how it is done or how it is legally dealt with. This book addresses the complex issue of questionable content removals and account suspensions on social media platforms in the European Union, solving the existing legal ambiguity with a powerful roadmap designed to guide decision-makers in navigating online access rights and moderation issues. The roadmap’s elements are deduced from a technology-neutral comparative case law study of four Member States (Denmark, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands) based on rigorous selection criteria that highlight the most salient distinctions that characterise legal approaches to social media access and moderation. The ‘layers’ of the roadmap focus on such central issues as the following: the legal basis for social media platforms to impose restrictions; platform operators’ right to shape access, including limitations to the platform’s right to exclude users; the validity and enforceability of terms of service; and users’ and platforms’ remedies for breaches of the terms of service, including the procedural obligations in the Digital Services Act. Unlike previous work on the topic, this book does not focus on one field of law but touches upon and combines European law, constitutional and fundamental rights law, competition law, equality law, property law, and contract law, all reflected on and assessed through both a European and a national lens. By addressing these multifaceted legal aspects, it offers a holistic approach to resolving content moderation challenges and demonstrates which problems are most effectively addressed by which fields of law. The book’s roadmap can be used within the European Union to address and/or resolve any access and moderation problems on social media platforms. It will serve as a valuable resource for judges, social media platforms, and dispute resolution bodies, providing practical insights and guidance in navigating this complex landscape and streamlining decision-making processes. It will prove of immeasurable value in fostering a balanced and fair approach to content moderation in the EU that will ensure that all European users have equal opportunities for redress.