Tobias Lock

This book gives an accessible yet critical overview of one of the fastest growing fields of EU law: EU fundamental rights. Over a clear three-part structure, it sets out the development of EU fundamental rights from inception to the present day, explores their conceptual underpinning, and explores them relative to other fields of European law. It marries critical analysis with a discussion of practical application, with case studies from practice emphasising fundamental rights’ real-life application. The book draws on comparative examples from other international rights regimes, such as the ICCPR and the ICESCR, giving a global perspective. Students will find this an invaluable addition to their reading lists.

The Court of Justice of the European Union has exclusive jurisdiction over European Union law and holds a broad interpretation of these powers. This, however, may come into conflict with the jurisdiction of other international courts and tribunals, especially in the context of so-called mixed agreements. While the CJEU considers these 'integral parts' of EU law, other international courts will also have jurisdiction in such cases. This book explores the conundrum of shared jurisdiction, analysing the international legal framework for the resolution of such conflicts, and provides a critical and comprehensive analysis of the CJEU's far-reaching jurisdiction, suggesting solutions to this dilemma. The book also addresses the special relationship between the CJEU and the European Court of Human Rights. The unique interaction between these two bodies raises fundamental substantive concerns about overlaps of jurisdiction and interpretation in the courts. Conflicts of interpretation manage largely to be avoided by frequent cross-referencing, which also allows for much cross-fertilization in the development of European human rights law. The link between these two courts is the subject of the final section of the book.

Die wachsende Zahl internationaler Gerichte führte bereits in der Vergangenheit zu Zuständigkeits- und Auslegungskonflikten. Wegen der zunehmenden Aktivität der Europäischen Union auf internationaler Ebene machen diese Konflikte auch vor dem EuGH nicht halt. Vor dem Hintergrund von dessen ausschließlicher Zuständigkeit, wird sein Verhältnis zu internationalen Gerichten wie dem Seegerichtshof, den Streitbeilegungsorganen der WTO oder dem EGMR untersucht. Tobias Lock erörtert, inwieweit im Völkerrecht praktizierte und diskutierte Lösungsansätze auch für den EuGH fruchtbar gemacht werden können. Die Schwerpunkte liegen auf der ausschließlichen Zuständigkeit des EuGH für Streitigkeiten zwischen Mitgliedstaaten und dabei insbesondere auf der Frage, ob andere Gerichte die ausschließliche Zuständigkeit anerkennen müssen, sowie auf dem Verhältnis des EuGH zum EGMR, vor allem nach einem Beitritt der EU zur EMRK.