The lecture is designed to provide students with a general understanding of the European Union, EU law and its interplay with the law of the Member States. The lecture will introduce students to the institutional structure of the European Union, including the main actors (European Commission, Council of the European Union, European Parliament and Court of Justice of the European Union). Moreover, an overview over the legislative process of the European Union and the different sources of law (in particular regulations, directives and decisions) will be provided.
Another focus of the lecture will be the European single market and the fundamental freedoms. The lecture will also discuss European human rights (in particular the Charter of Fundamental Rights). 
Furthermore, the lecture will deal with the relationship between EU law and the law of the Member States as well as the application of EU law by national authorities and the relationship between national courts and the courts of the European Union.

Students are advised to have the EU Treaties and other relevant legal texts at hand (e.g. Blackstone’s EU Treaties & Legislation or online at https://eur-lex.europa.eu/collection/eu-law/treaties/treaties-force.html ).

Lecture Dates (block lecture):

• Monday, 9th November 2026, 9:00 - 14:00 h
• Monday, 14th December 2026, 9:00 - 14:00 h
• Monday, 11th January 2027, 9:00 - 14:00 h
• Monday, 15th February 2027, 9:00 - 13.00 h, break, lecture continuing from 14:00 - 17:30 h