The intersection of consumer law and environmental sustainability is gaining increased attention, particularly within the framework of the European Circular Economy Action Plan. A recent initiative shedding light on this topic is the Summer School on “Consumer and Market Law in the European Circular Economy,” which delves into how consumer rights and market regulations adapt…
Jürgen Habermas, a prominent German philosopher and sociologist, has made significant contributions to the understanding of European democracy, shaping both theoretical frameworks and practical insights. His work on the public sphere and deliberative democracy has become a cornerstone in debates surrounding the European Union’s democratic legitimacy. Habermas argues that a vibrant public sphere is crucial…
The European Law Masters Alumni Association (ELMAA) is set to host its eighth annual Summer School on European Union Law from July 27 to 31, 2026, on Corfu Island, Greece. This year’s program, titled “The EU as a Global Actor: Legal Foundations and Challenges,” aims to provide an in-depth exploration of the European Union’s role…
The juridification of voluntary sustainability standards within EU trade agreements and related supply-chain regimes reflects a growing trend towards embedding environmental and social criteria in international trade frameworks. This transformation is taking place as the European Union increasingly integrates these standards within the legal texts of trade agreements, effectively elevating them from voluntary guidelines to…
The European Union’s Safe Countries of Origin list serves as a crucial tool in the bloc’s asylum policy. It designates certain nations as ‘safe,’ theoretically allowing the EU to expedite asylum claims from those countries by presuming applicants are not at risk of persecution. While this framework may look solid on paper, it presents considerable…
The XIV Lisbon Forum, scheduled for June 1–3, 2026, at the University of Lisbon’s School of Law (FDUL), is calling for original research submissions on the theme “New International Order, Technology, and Sovereignty.” This initiative is a collaboration between FGV Justiça (Getulio Vargas Foundation), FIBE (Forum for the Integration of Brazil and Europe), and IDP…
The European Union’s commitment to anti-discrimination principles frequently intersects with the autonomy of religious organizations, particularly concerning employment practices. This tension is exemplified in the European Court of Justice’s (ECJ) recent ruling in Case C-258/24, Katholische Schwangerschaftsberatung v JB, delivered on 17 March 2026. In this case, Katholische Schwangerschaftsberatung, a German Catholic counseling association, dismissed…
The intricate interplay between locus standi and Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) exceptionalism continues to present legal complexities within the European Union. This balance between individuals’ accessibility to justice and the EU’s overarching strategic interests demands careful examination, especially in the context of the evolving legal landscape. Locus standi, the right to bring action…
The upcoming 11th Academic Days on Open Government and Digital Challenges, scheduled for November 3-4, 2026, in Paris, is expected to explore the intersection of transparency and technology within public administration. This conference, organized in a hybrid format, aims to address the evolving landscape of open government initiatives and the digital challenges accompanying them. As…
The recent conference titled “Mass Atrocities, Environmental Degradation, and Communities Rights: Lived Experiences,” convened experts and stakeholders to delve into the complex interplay between global environmental challenges and human rights violations. Hosted by the European Law Blog, the event provided a platform for discussions on the legal frameworks required to address these urgent issues. The…
The relationship between the Cohesion Policy and the Adequate Minimum Wage Directive has recently come under scrutiny in the context of Case C-19/23, raising questions about the effectiveness and limitations of Article 175(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). This case has sparked intense debate among legal scholars and policy…
The European Union’s legal landscape has witnessed intricate challenges, particularly in reconciling national sovereignty with supranational policies. A focal point of this tension is Hungary’s recent legislative endeavors that aim to assert its sovereignty. Advocate General Juliane Kokott of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has provided a nuanced perspective on these developments, specifically addressing…
The Faculty of Law at the University of Ljubljana is set to host the ClimateXLaw Conference on September 10–11, 2026. This interdisciplinary event aims to explore how legal frameworks can be reimagined to address climate change as a persistent, systemic issue rather than a temporary crisis. Traditional legal approaches often treat climate change as an…
The Centre for the Law of EU External Relations (CLEER), in collaboration with the T.M.C. Asser Institute, is set to host its 11th Summer School on EU External Relations Law from June 24 to 26, 2026, at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) campus in Brussels, Belgium. This annual event aims to provide an in-depth exploration…
The recent Symposium on Artificial Intelligence, Law and Society convened thought leaders and experts to explore the evolving intersection of AI technologies and legal frameworks. This gathering shone a spotlight on the critical questions surrounding AI’s influence on legal systems and societal norms. As discussed in the European Law Blog, participants tackled issues relating to…
The University of Oxford is set to host a conference titled “Assimilated Law – the Role and Future of Retained EU Law in the UK” on 13 and 14 April 2026. This event is jointly organized by Professor Anne Davies and Dr. Johannes Ungerer and is funded by the Institute of European and Comparative Law…
The European Law Unbound Conference 2026 is set to convene legal scholars and practitioners from across the globe to discuss future developments in European law. As announced on the European Law Blog, the conference promises a deep dive into contemporary challenges and emerging trends that will shape the European legal landscape in the coming years….
The concept of “personal data” in European Union law is increasingly seen as extending beyond a mere definition to a quasi-constitutional principle, especially in the context of the Digital Omnibus. This progression reflects the broader evolution of data protection rights within the EU, heralding a shift in how data is conceptualized and regulated. The European…
The recent judgment in Commission v Malta has brought to the forefront significant discussions about the principles of citizenship, values, and the rule of law within the European Union. This case delves into the intricate relationships between national sovereignty and EU principles, particularly Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), which emphasizes democracy,…
The European Union’s role as a sanctioning actor has evolved considerably, marked by intricate legal and institutional developments. With a growing need to address global challenges, the EU’s sanctions policy has become a crucial tool in its foreign affairs arsenal. The EU’s sanctions regime is implemented under the Common Foreign and Security Policy, allowing for…
The evolving landscape of gambling regulation within the European Union has been thrust into the spotlight by the Anesar–CV case, a legal skirmish examining the intricate balance between market freedoms and regulatory boundaries. This case underscores the perennial tension between national regulatory frameworks and the EU’s commitment to maintaining open and competitive markets. An overview…
In recent years, the intersection of space law and human rights has gained attention, particularly within the European Union’s legislative framework. Space narratives like those seen in films such as “Don’t Look Up” and “Interstellar” provide a cultural lens through which the implications of space exploration and human survival are perceived. These cinematic narratives raise…
The European Court of Justice (CJEU) has recently taken a significant stance by rejecting the doctrines of ultra vires review and national identity as legitimate grounds for constitutional resistance by Member States. This decision marks a departure from the legal latitude traditionally afforded to national courts in determining the limits of European Union powers. At…
The European Union’s Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation, implemented to safeguard human health and the environment, faces scrutiny due to potential gaps in transparency and quality assurance. These factors are pivotal in evaluating the credibility and effectiveness of the regulation. Transparency underpins trust in regulatory frameworks. Without clear insight into how…
The debate surrounding animal welfare and religious freedom has been reignited in the Netherlands, highlighting tensions between cultural practices and modern ethical standards. At the forefront of this discussion is the practice of ritual slaughter, a method employed for centuries in religious traditions such as Judaism and Islam. This method, which is performed without prior…