Great Judgments of the European Court of Justice

'This book adds something original and enriching to EU law: a new perspective on direct effect which is both persuasive and disruptive. Its core argument deserves to become part of the canon of the field, something that every scholar and teacher of the law must integrate into their thinking if they wish to understand why direct effect exists and what it means for the European Union. Phelan's explanation of how direct effect made possible the ending of inter-state retaliation, and thereby the construction of supranational integration as we now know it, is based on careful analysis of a series of key judgments and the judges who wrote them. The story he tells shines a light on direct effect which is every bit as illuminating as the stories about individual rights and effectiveness upon which lawyers have relied until now.' Gareth Davies, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam 'William Phelan's monograph presents crucial new thinking on the early jurisprudence of the European Court of Justice, contributing to a broader effort by historians, lawyers, and other social scientists to reconsider the foundations of the integration project. This book solidifies Phelan's leadership role in that critical project, providing an abundance of new insights into the Court's 'great judgments' (while adding a few new judgments to the standard canon for good measure). This is first-rate and innovative scholarship that demands the attention of both specialists and students alike.' Peter L. Lindseth, Olimpiad S. Ioffe Professor of International and Comparative Law, and Director, International Programs, University of Connecticut 'William Phelan tells a compelling and original story about how European legal doctrines were part of a grand plan of some of the Luxembourg judges, such as Robert Lecourt, against inter-state retaliation, self-help by Member States, and nationalist revivals. This book will be a basic reference point for future EU legal scholarship.' Fernanda G. Nicola, Director, International Organizations Law and Diplomacy, American University, Washington DC `This book adds something original and enriching to EU law: a new perspective on direct effect which is both persuasive and disruptive. Its core argument deserves to become part of the canon of the field, something that every scholar and teacher of the law must integrate into their thinking if they wish to understand why direct effect exists and what it means for the European Union. Phelan's explanation of how direct effect made possible the ending of inter-state retaliation, and thereby the construction of supranational integration as we now know it, is based on careful analysis of a series of key judgments and the judges who wrote them. The story he tells shines a light on direct effect which is every bit as illuminating as the stories about individual rights and effectiveness upon which lawyers have relied until now.' Gareth Davies, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam `William Phelan's monograph presents crucial new thinking on the early jurisprudence of the European Court of Justice, contributing to a broader effort by historians, lawyers, and other social scientists to reconsider the foundations of the integration project. This book solidifies Phelan's leadership role in that critical project, providing an abundance of new insights into the Court's `great judgments' (while adding a few new judgments to the standard canon for good measure). This is first-rate and innovative scholarship that demands the attention of both specialists and students alike.' Peter L. Lindseth, Olimpiad S. Ioffe Professor of International and Comparative Law, and Director, International Programs, University of Connecticut `William Phelan tells a compelling and original story about how European legal doctrines were part of a grand plan of some of the Luxembourg judges, such as Robert Lecourt, against inter-state retaliation, self-help by Member States, and nationalist revivals. This book will be a basic reference point for future EU legal scholarship.' Fernanda G. Nicola, Director, International Organizations Law and Diplomacy, American University, Washington DC