This chapter discusses the application of competition law to mergers, focusing on the EU and the EUMR. In the EU, where a merger (‘concentration’) meets the relevant thresholds, it falls within the exclusive competence of the European Commission to examine the merger. Undertakings contemplating such a merger are required compulsorily to notify the Commission. The test of a merger’s acceptance is that of whether it substantially impedes effective competition in the internal market, in particular, but not exclusively, by creating or strengthening a dominant position. Using the powers set out in the Merger Regulation the Commission may authorize, or block, the merger over a two-stage process. Tight time limits apply. Appeals against Commission decisions are to the General Court.
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19. The EU merger control regime and the treatment of joint ventures
Chapter
1. The English legal system
Each Concentrate revision guide is packed with essential information, key cases, revision tips, exam Q&As, and more. Concentrates show you what to expect in a law exam, what examiners are looking for, and how to achieve extra marks. This chapter discusses the English legal system. It provides an overview of the courts in the civil and criminal divisions, and their hierarchy. It discusses the source of law, delegated legislation, the impact of membership in the EU and the Human Rights Act 1998, and alternative forms of dispute resolution (ADR). The implications of ADR are increasingly important in civil disputes and essential between businesses where traditional court action can destroy commercial relationships.
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1. Introduction to intellectual property and common themes
This book focuses on intellectual property (IP) rights as they apply in the UK, including rights created by the EU. Legal systems around the world have seen fit to create these rights or causes of action to protect intangible concepts such as inventions, literature, brands, designs, and so on. It is said that IP protects the products of the mind, but that does not really apply to brand protection or to the protection of some types of information. As IP rights are so diverse, the theoretical bases for legal protection vary and are dealt with separately in their relevant chapters. However, there are some common approaches, namely, the neo-classical micro-economic theory, rights-based, and other approaches. Common legal topics are dealt with here as they affect more than one IP right. Particular issues flowing from them will be mentioned in the following chapters.
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6. The European Union
The aims of this chapter are threefold. It first briefly considers the events that have led to the creation of the European Community (EC) and the European Union (EU). Secondly, it introduces the reader to the principal institutions of the Union: the European Council, the Council of Ministers, the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Court of Justice of the EU and General Court. The nature and functions of each of these bodies is considered. Thirdly, the chapter indicates, where appropriate, the nature of the institutional reforms which have occurred following the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty by the member states.
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26. Economic and Monetary Union
All books in this flagship series contain carefully selected substantial extracts from key cases, legislation, and academic debate, providing students with a stand-alone resource. The Area of Freedom, Security, and Justice (AFSJ) is now found in Title V of Part Three of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The subject matter dealt with by these provisions is important and politically sensitive, as it includes police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, visas, asylum, immigration, and judicial cooperation in civil matters. This chapter is organized as follows. Section 2 considers the development of the three-pillar structure introduced by the Maastricht Treaty. Section 3 focuses on the rationale for the inclusion of the subject matter that comprises the AFSJ. Section 4 considers the general principles in the Lisbon Treaty that apply to all areas which comprise the AFSJ, including: Treaty objectives, competence, role of the principal EU institutions, judicial role, and an outline of the opt-outs that apply to the UK. The remainder of the chapter looks in more detail at criminal law and procedure. The UK version contains a further section analysing issues concerning the AFSJ and the UK post-Brexit.
Chapter
26. Economic and Monetary Union
All books in this flagship series contain carefully selected substantial extracts from key cases, legislation, and academic debate, providing students with a stand-alone resource. The Area of Freedom, Security, and Justice (AFSJ) is now found in Title V of Part Three of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The subject matter dealt with by these provisions is important and politically sensitive, as it includes police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, visas, asylum, immigration, and judicial cooperation in civil matters. This chapter is organized as follows. Section 2 considers the development of the three-pillar structure introduced by the Maastricht Treaty. Section 3 focuses on the rationale for the inclusion of the subject matter that comprises the AFSJ. Section 4 considers the general principles in the Lisbon Treaty that apply to all areas which comprise the AFSJ, including: Treaty objectives, competence, role of the principal EU institutions, judicial role, and an outline of the opt-outs that apply to the UK. The remainder of the chapter looks in more detail at criminal law and procedure. The UK version contains a further section analysing issues concerning the AFSJ and the UK post-Brexit.
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22. Equality In Employment Relationships
This chapter discusses the Equality Act (EA) 2010. There have been many changes adopted following the enactment of this legislation. The Act is relevant for businesses as it imposes obligations to provide a safe system of work, including regulating the activities of management, colleagues, and third parties. This is an area of law that will evolve over the forthcoming years, and whilst much of the previous case law is applicable to this new Act, new judgments will likely expand and clarify the extent of equality law. An employer who is not aware of the provisions of EA 2010 runs the risk of facing very expensive claims, poor industrial relations, and potential damage to his or her reputation as an employer.
Book
Catherine Barnard
The Substantive Law of the EU provides a critical and thorough analysis of the key principles of the substantive law of the EU, focusing on the four freedoms (goods, persons, services, and capital). An introductory chapter provides valuable context on the nature of the internal market, its evolution, and the theories behind its key principles. Each of the freedoms is then considered in turn. The book concludes with a discussion of harmonization, the regulation of the internal market, and its future.
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1. History of the project (1972–2020)
This chapter traces the history of the EU, and UK participation in the EU project at its key developmental moments, revealing that the referendum outcome on 23 June 2016 was perhaps a shock, but not a wholly unpredictable one. The EU's overall goals have never quite matched the UK's reasons for participating in the project. The chapter then sets out what goals the EU project has had over time, and how these have fitted with UK priorities and interests. It also looks at each key revision of the EU's foundational Treaties in turn, including the Treaty of Rome, the Maastricht Treaty, and the Lisbon Treaty. The UK willingly limited its sovereignty when it joined the EU in 1972; it has now exercised its sovereignty again by withdrawing from the EU. The chapter concludes with some thoughts on what will happen next in the now four-year-long Brexit saga.
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16. Negotiating a ‘future relationship’: EU external relations law
This chapter examines the ‘future relationship’ agreement(s) that will apply between the UK and the EU. Following the adoption of the Withdrawal Agreement, the UK will be looking to conclude what the EU terms a ‘future relationship’ agreement with the EU over the course of the transition period. That ‘future relationship’ will address both the conditions under which the UK trades with the EU in the future — or what replaces the internal market — and how the UK and the EU relate to each other diplomatically — or what replaces ‘membership’ of the EU as an institution. The EU Treaties set out clear processes for the conclusion of international agreements between the EU and other countries. The chapter explores what those processes are, considering what powers the EU has to conclude international agreements. It also looks at how decision-making relating to those international agreements takes place within the EU institutions.
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3. Decision-making and democracy in the EU
This chapter analyses what EU academics have termed the ‘democratic deficit’ in the EU. In EU law, the concept of the ‘democratic deficit’ is used to classify the EU as a system that may hold some of the qualities of a democratic government, but is lacking others. The chapter then investigates just how much ‘democracy’ exists in the EU decision-making processes. There are those who claim that the EU will never be democratic, and those who argue that the EU actually does not suffer from true shortcomings. The chapter evaluates both of those claims, and considers if recent big events in the EU — such as the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, and the so-called Eurozone financial crisis — impact upon the debate. It also looks at the nature of Brexit during the Withdrawal Agreement's transition period, as well as the future relationship between the UK and the EU.
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4. The legislative supremacy of Parliament
This chapter examines the constitutional significance of the principle of the legislative supremacy of Parliament. The discussion covers the traditional view of the principle, which holds that Parliament is legally omnicompetent, as well as a competing view of legislative supremacy of Parliament, referred to as the ‘new’ view or the ‘manner and form’ argument. The chapter also considers the effect on legislation of the following: the doctrine of implied repeal, the meaning of entrenchment, the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949, Union legislation, legislative supremacy and EU Law, legislative supremacy and devolution, and legislative supremacy and the Human Rights Act 1998.
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5. Sources of Law III: Effect of EU and International Law
Each Concentrate revision guide is packed with essential information, key cases, revision tips, exam Q&As, and more. This chapter discusses the effect of EU and international law. The UK is a signatory to multiple international institutions. Each of these institutions sets a framework for the UK to operate within, granting certain rights, benefits, and obligations. The most prominent institutions are the EU, the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR), and the United Nations. Although the UK’s continued involvement in these institutions will have a direct impact on the operation of UK law, relations with other states, whether they be good or bad, will also shape the face of the English legal system. The chapter then studies international law, considering basic matters such as the meaning of international law, the doctrine of state sovereignty, and the distinction between public and private international law.
Book
Mark Thomas and Claire McGourlay
Each Concentrate revision guide is packed with essential information, key cases, revision tips, exam Q&As, and more. English Legal Systems Concentrate starts with an introduction to the English legal system (ELS). It then looks at sources of law: domestic legislation, case law, and the effect of EU and international law. The text also examines the court structure. It then looks at personnel of the ELS. It moves on to consider the criminal justice system and the civil justice system. After that, it looks at funding access to the ELS. Finally, it looks to the future of the ELS.
Book
Noreen O'Meara
Essential Cases: EU Law provides a bridge between course textbooks and key case judgments. Essential Cases provides you with succinct summaries of some of the landmark and most influential cases in EU law. Each summary begins with a review of the main case facts and decision. The summary is then concluded with expert commentary on the case from the author, Noreen O'Meara., including her assessment of the wider questions raised by the decision.
Book
Noreen O'Meara
Essential Cases: EU Law provides a bridge between course textbooks and key case judgments. Essential Cases provides you with succinct summaries of some of the landmark and most influential cases in EU law. Each summary begins with a review of the main case facts and decision. The summary is then concluded with expert commentary on the case from the author, Noreen O’Meara., including her assessment of the wider questions raised by the decision.
Chapter
2. The official institutions of the European Union
Titles in the Complete series combine extracts from a wide range of primary materials with clear explanatory text to provide readers with a complete introductory resource. This chapter discusses the official institutions of the EU, covering the composition, functions, and powers of the European Parliament; the Council of the European Union; the Commission; the Court of Justice of the European Union; the European Council; the European Central Bank; and the Court of Auditors. This chapter also briefly discusses the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions; and addresses, where applicable, the immediate and potential impact of the Brexit referendum.
Book
Graeme Laurie, Shawn Harmon, and Edward Dove
This textbook has provided a framework for exploring medical law and ethics for more than 35 years. It provides extensive examination of the interrelationship between ethical medical practice and the law. The authors offer their own opinions on current debates and controversies, and encourage readers to formulate their own views and arguments. Medical law is significantly shaped by the courts, and this book provides extensive coverage of recent judicial decisions as well as statutory developments. This eleventh edition continues to take a comparative approach, as in the case of assisted suicide, and also on the growing influence of international instruments and collaborations, as demonstrated in the field of health research. Despite the prospect of Brexit, the book continues to offer a dedicated and in-depth chapter on the influence of EU law on the field. The book is essential reading for any serious medical law student or practitioner, as well as being of interest to all those involved in the delivery and regulation of modern health care. New or updated material includes: a new chapter bringing together the range of ethico-legal issues affecting children, including minors and consent, data protection and research with children; detailed discussion of the high-profile court decisions involving Charlie Gard and Alfie Evans regarding medically futile treatment of infants; consideration of the Supreme Court ruling in Darnley v Croydon Health Services and the implications for A&E departments and their duty of care to patients; discussion of updated GMC guidance on Confidentiality (2017); fully updated discussion of the case law and changes in regulation of international surrogacy; and consideration throughout of the of the General Data Protection Regulation, which came in May 2018.
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6. The European Union and the environment
Stuart Bell, Donald McGillivray, Ole W. Pedersen, Emma Lees, and Elen Stokes
This chapter explores the historical and continually important influence played by EU law on UK environmental law. Despite Brexit, EU law remains an important factor in national environmental law. The chapter includes a discussion of the history of EU environmental law, its impact on UK environmental law, and the continuing relevance of EU environmental law.
