Teacher(s)
Language
French
Prerequisites
Because European Union law takes precedence over Belgian law, students are expected to have a good understanding of the structure of the Belgian legal system.
The prerequisite(s) for this Teaching Unit (Unité d’enseignement – UE) for the programmes/courses that offer this Teaching Unit are specified at the end of this sheet.
The prerequisite(s) for this Teaching Unit (Unité d’enseignement – UE) for the programmes/courses that offer this Teaching Unit are specified at the end of this sheet.
Main themes
This module is essential for studying national positive law. For many students, it will provide a unique opportunity to familiarise themselves with the principles of the European Union. Indeed, apart from specialised courses, students won’t no longer have the opportunity to take courses in European Union law.
This module is designed to enable students to understand different elements of the courses in substantive law taught during their studies more easily. Indeed, the subject matter covered here intersects with a range of disciplines taught in both the second and third years of the Bachelor’s degree and at Master’s level. The legal order of the European Union is, in fact, the most cross-cutting subject there is, given that it encompasses:
o constitutional (fundamental rights and the basic constitutional charter),
o institutional (composition and functioning of institutions and bodies),
o administrative (civil service, use of languages, access to information, status of civil servants, etc.),
o public international law (relations between the Union and third countries and international organisations),
o judicial law (right to bring legal proceedings, cooperation between courts, etc.),
o private international law (the Brussels and Rome Regulations).
This module is designed to enable students to understand different elements of the courses in substantive law taught during their studies more easily. Indeed, the subject matter covered here intersects with a range of disciplines taught in both the second and third years of the Bachelor’s degree and at Master’s level. The legal order of the European Union is, in fact, the most cross-cutting subject there is, given that it encompasses:
o constitutional (fundamental rights and the basic constitutional charter),
o institutional (composition and functioning of institutions and bodies),
o administrative (civil service, use of languages, access to information, status of civil servants, etc.),
o public international law (relations between the Union and third countries and international organisations),
o judicial law (right to bring legal proceedings, cooperation between courts, etc.),
o private international law (the Brussels and Rome Regulations).
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
Upon completion of the Bachelor’s degree, students will have acquired the following skills: I. General knowledge and interdisciplinary understanding Developing an understanding of the processes of European integration. II. Specific legal knowledge o Master the basic concepts, rules and principles of European law. o Master secondary legislation (directives, regulations, decisions). III. Acquire the methods to conduct a genuine scientific researcg o Master the methods and tools of legal documentary research (legislation, case law, legal doctrine), with a view to utilising the results, particularly in personal academic work. o Develop the ability to conduct scientific research independently, in accordance with scientific ethics. IV. Acquire analytical, critical thinking and argumentative skills through real-life situations o Develop the ability to resolve a legal case by drawing on legal knowledge, to identify possible courses of action, to assess their relevance and to select the one that appears most appropriate; o Develop critical thinking skills; o Develop the ability to construct a well-reasoned legal argument; o Learn to formulate independent, coherent and relevant thinking within the legal context in which it is situated, whilst also being creative and original; V. Master written communication in French and in a target language o Develop the ability to communicate, in writing, a legal idea and/or line of reasoning, and to defend it convincingly; o Develop the ability to understand, analyse and summarise theoretical content. Transferable skills More broadly, and in terms of transferable skills, students who have completed this module will have: o improved their command of French legal terminology; o a better understanding of the relationship between international treaties, case law and legal doctrine; o an understanding of the processes of European integration. |
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Content
The EU law course aims to familiarise students with the values (the rule of law, democracy, fundamental rights, etc.), the general principles (separation of powers, institutional balance, equality, non-discrimination, legal certainty, etc.) and the key concepts of European Union law and, more specifically, the fundamental obligations, general principles and basic obligations contained in the Treaty on European Union (TEU), the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and the Charter of Fundamental Rights (primary law).
Secondary or derived law illustrates the obligations under Treaty law. Thus, although directives relating to the protection of workers or consumers are regularly referred to in the course, they will not be examined in detail.
The main aspects of European Union law and its institutional structure are outlined. The analysis is systematic.
The teaching module encompasses lectures and 3 seminars without case studies.
The lectures are structured around three main themes:
o the institutional structure of the Union,
o the key features of its legal order and its interactions with national and international law,
o the legal remedies that guarantee effective judicial protection.
The course draws on the Manuel de droit institutionnel et de contentieux européen (Bruxelles, Larcier, Collection « Paradigme », 2ème éd. Larcier, 2025), written by the lecturer and available from the course materials office at the Saint-Louis campus.
This is a compulsory course text.
This textbook is particularly comprehensive and is used by many French students. It sets out the subject matter in a systematic manner.
It provides an overview of the competences, composition and functioning of the Union’s institutions and bodies, as well as the sources of law. It also includes an analysis of the various legal remedies that guarantee effective judicial protection.
Insofar as recourse to litigation proves essential, particular emphasis is placed on the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Secondary or derived law illustrates the obligations under Treaty law. Thus, although directives relating to the protection of workers or consumers are regularly referred to in the course, they will not be examined in detail.
The main aspects of European Union law and its institutional structure are outlined. The analysis is systematic.
The teaching module encompasses lectures and 3 seminars without case studies.
The lectures are structured around three main themes:
o the institutional structure of the Union,
o the key features of its legal order and its interactions with national and international law,
o the legal remedies that guarantee effective judicial protection.
The course draws on the Manuel de droit institutionnel et de contentieux européen (Bruxelles, Larcier, Collection « Paradigme », 2ème éd. Larcier, 2025), written by the lecturer and available from the course materials office at the Saint-Louis campus.
This is a compulsory course text.
This textbook is particularly comprehensive and is used by many French students. It sets out the subject matter in a systematic manner.
It provides an overview of the competences, composition and functioning of the Union’s institutions and bodies, as well as the sources of law. It also includes an analysis of the various legal remedies that guarantee effective judicial protection.
Insofar as recourse to litigation proves essential, particular emphasis is placed on the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Teaching methods
The teaching module comprises lectures and practical sessions without written assignments.
The module comprises 45 hours delivered by the course lecturer.
PowerPoint presentations are made available to students to assist them in taking notes.
The module comprises 45 hours delivered by the course lecturer.
PowerPoint presentations are made available to students to assist them in taking notes.
As a direct extension of the lecture series, practical sessions (without case studies, i.e. without the submission of written assignments) are led by a teaching assistant specialising in the subject. These sessions focus in particular on the analysis of case law from the Court of Justice and enable students to explore the topics covered in the lectures in greater depth.
Attendance at lectures and practical sessions is strongly recommended in order to pass the exam. The lectures cover topical issues, which are not necessarily included in the textbook. It is therefore essential to attend lectures.
Attendance at lectures and practical sessions is strongly recommended in order to pass the exam. The lectures cover topical issues, which are not necessarily included in the textbook. It is therefore essential to attend lectures.
Students are also expected to participate actively in practical sessions.
The case studies presented in lectures and practical sessions are broadly similar to the questions that will be set in the written examination.
Evaluation methods
Assessment
During both exam sessions, assessment for this teaching module takes the form of an open-book written examination.
It comprises questions testing general knowledge and case studies. Some of the topics covered in the course are not included in the textbook.
Throughout the examination, students have access to the treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, as well as the Professor’s textbook on Institutional Law and European Litigation.
Students’ attention is drawn to the fact that, although the examination is open-book, it does not exempt them from a very thorough study of the subject matter, which is particularly complex.
It is also recommended that students attend all lectures and practical sessions in order to familiarise themselves with the ‘exercises’ they will be required to complete during the examination.
A folder containing questions set in previous years’ assessments and the expected model answers is provided to students to help them prepare as effectively as possible for the assessment.
Les travaux pratiques accompagnant le cours ne font pas l’objet d’une évaluation spécifique.
Language of assessment
The questions and answers in the examination are in French, a language which you must have a perfect command of.
Assessment criteria
Students are assessed on the basis of the following main criteria, which relate to the learning outcomes set out above, namely:
o the ability to resolve legal issues, and more specifically case studies, in accordance with the criteria set out in the course and in the Handbook;
o the rigour of reasoning;
o the use of appropriate terminology.
Further details
It is essential to have a perfect command of legal terminology and to consistently present legal reasoning.
During both exam sessions, assessment for this teaching module takes the form of an open-book written examination.
It comprises questions testing general knowledge and case studies. Some of the topics covered in the course are not included in the textbook.
Throughout the examination, students have access to the treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, as well as the Professor’s textbook on Institutional Law and European Litigation.
Students’ attention is drawn to the fact that, although the examination is open-book, it does not exempt them from a very thorough study of the subject matter, which is particularly complex.
It is also recommended that students attend all lectures and practical sessions in order to familiarise themselves with the ‘exercises’ they will be required to complete during the examination.
A folder containing questions set in previous years’ assessments and the expected model answers is provided to students to help them prepare as effectively as possible for the assessment.
Les travaux pratiques accompagnant le cours ne font pas l’objet d’une évaluation spécifique.
Language of assessment
The questions and answers in the examination are in French, a language which you must have a perfect command of.
Assessment criteria
Students are assessed on the basis of the following main criteria, which relate to the learning outcomes set out above, namely:
o the ability to resolve legal issues, and more specifically case studies, in accordance with the criteria set out in the course and in the Handbook;
o the rigour of reasoning;
o the use of appropriate terminology.
Further details
It is essential to have a perfect command of legal terminology and to consistently present legal reasoning.
Other information
European Union law is a particularly dynamic field. In order to gain a better understanding of the scope of the rules analysed as part of this module – including, in particular, the functioning of the European institutions – students are encouraged to consult (a) the Belgian press, which publishes in-depth daily analyses of EU policies, and (b) the EU’s websites.
Online resources
PowerPoint will be online on Moodle.
Bibliography
Une bibliographie est reprise dans le Manuel de droit institutionnel et de contentieux européen.
Teaching materials
- Retour de la Commission - Manuel de droit institutionnel et de contentieux européen (2ème éd., Bruxelles, Larcier, Collection « Paradigme », 2025)
Faculty or entity
