Prospectus

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European Union Law: The Four Freedoms

Course
2024-2025

Admission requirements

Dutch students that have followed the 5 ECTS Course Europees Recht (BA II) will not receive credits for this course due to the material overlap.

Background in law, preferably students familiar with the basics of EU law (institutions, treaties, general principles)

Sufficient command of English (IELTS 6.5 or higher)

Description

The EU internal market is at the very heart of European integration. It comprises an area where goods, persons, services and capital circulate freely. This course studies these four fundamental freedoms. The free movement of goods, persons, services and capital will be addressed primarily through the case-law of the European Court of Justice. This course will specifically focus on the rights that natural and legal persons derive from internal market freedoms and how these can be enforced. How can you establish yourself as a lawyer in other EU Member States, can your family join, can your children get study grants? Can you sell a product manufactured in one Member State in another Member State? Through exercises and class discussions, students will get a practical grasp of EU substantive law and will learn to work with the EU treaties, case law and EU legislation. Students will learn to read and analyse cases of the European Court of Justice.

Course objectives

Objectives of the course

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • Interpret different sources of EU law on free movement, including primary and secondary law and case law

  • Apply these different sources in concrete cases

  • Know and explain the basic principles underpinning the EU internal market

  • Express a reasoned opinion on key concepts of the EU internal market in writing

Achievement levels

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  • Solve practical cases

  • Construct a legal argument in writing

Timetable

Check MyTimetable.

Mode of instruction

Lectures

  • Number of (2 hour) lectures: 5

  • Names of lecturers: Stefaan Van den Bogaert

  • Required preparation by students: reading of materials prescribed on Brightspace.

Seminars

  • Number of (2 hour) seminars: 5

  • Names of instructors: Barbora Budinska

  • Required preparation by students: reading of materials prescribed on Brightspace and preparation of the case studies provided for on Brightspace.

Assessment method

Examination form(s)

  • Written exam (100%). Students who fail the exam are entitled to sit a re-examination. Depending on the number of students failing the exam, the re-sit may take the form of an oral exam.

Areas to be tested within the exam
The examination covers the required reading (literature) for the course and the subjects taught in the lectures and the seminars.

Regulation retake passed exams
In this course it is possible to retake an exam that has been passed (cf. art. 4.1.8 and further of the Course and Examination Regulations). Students who have passed the exam may retake the final written assessment (test) of the course if they meet certain requirements. For more information, go to the website > ‘Law’ tab > ‘Retake a passed exam’.

Reading list

Obligatory course materials
Literature:

  • C. Barnard and S. Peers (eds), European Union Law, Oxford University Press, latest edition

Course information guide:

  • Available on Brightspace

Reader:

  • Course materials, will be made available on Brightspace.

Recommended course materials

  • Blackstone’s EU Treaties and Legislation, latest edition (Oxford University Press).

  • Essential EU Law in Charts (2nd Lisbon Edition) by C. Tobler and J. Beglinger (Budapest, latest edition)

Registration

Registration for courses and exams takes place via MyStudymap. If you do not have access to MyStudymap (guest students), look here (under the Law-tab) for more information on the registration procedure in your situation.

Exchange students have priority and will be registered for the course first. Any remaining seats will be available for students from Leiden University and other Dutch Universities.

Contact

  • Co-ordinator: Prof.mr. S.C.G. Van den Bogaert

  • Work address: KOG Building B1.25

  • Email: s.c.g.van.den.bogaert@law.leidenuniv.nl

Institution/division

  • Institute: Public Law

  • Department: European Law

  • Room number secretary: B. 1.11

  • Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9.00-17.00

  • Telephone number secretary: 071 – 527 3596

  • Email: europeesrecht@law.leidenuniv.nl

Remarks