Target group
EU regulatory affairs professionals from national, regional and local administrations and EU institutions and agencies as well as business and professional associations, who are affected by European Union legislation (e.g. by participation in EU law-making, transposition or application of national laws derived from EU law), judicial officials as well as other professionals wishing to gain a better understanding of how EU law is adopted and implemented at the EU and national level.

Description
The body of national law derived from EU directives and regulations expands into all areas of government, and officials in both national and EU administrative and judicial bodies play an increasingly active role as administrators and enforcers of EU law. Therefore, they need sufficient understanding of EU law to avoid actions incompatible with EU rules, leading to compensation claims against them and their authority. On the other hand, EU regulatory affairs professionals from business and professional associations are required to possess good knowledge of the EU legislative framework in order to actively influence the EU law-making process. 

The course is divided into three parts, all taking into account the changes brought about by the Lisbon Treaty. First of all, it provides a comprehensive overview of the constitutional organisation of the European Union, including the fundamental principles on which the Union is funded (5 days). Secondly, it offers an overview of specific policy areas (2 days). Lastly, it a) introduces a practical overview of the implementation of EU law at the EU level (comitology) and by the Member States and the consequences thereof for the EU Member States in terms of administrative capacities and human resources and b) updates participants on current development affecting the EU today (3 days).

When reviewing the constitutional organisation of the EU, particular attention is paid to the legislative and institutional framework of the EU, including the functioning, inter-relation and decision-making processes of the various institutions and the role of the Member States in these processes as well as possible consequences of not fulfilling Treaty obligations. In addition, the procedures for the implementation of EU law at EU level (the new comitology procedure) will be analysed in more detail in order to fine-tune participants’ knowledge about differences between different categories of legal acts introduced by the Lisbon Treaty (legislative vs. non-legislative acts). The sessions on implementation at the national level discuss practical approaches to identify national capacity needs and to react accordingly. 

The sessions focusing on Internal Market law will explain the universal operation of principles founding the four freedoms, for example, the non-discrimination, proportionality and mutual recognition principles, while the sessions on Justice Freedom and Security focus on judicial and law enforcement co-operation, the free movement of people (including 3rd country nationals) and e-justice. The programme also reviews the EU judicial system, including the tasks, structure and procedures of the European Courts and their role in the development of the law as well as the national courts’ role as enforcers of EU law. 

Based on feedback from former participants, the sessions on “current issues” have been expanded to provide more time for discussion on issues raised.

Learning methodology
The Summer School is highly interactive in nature, and although it is based upon a solid foundation of presentations, more than forty percent of the time is dedicated to workshops, case studies, simulations and study visits to the European Court of Justice and Luxembourg authorities involved in national EU decision-making.

Case-studies and workshops put the knowledge gained by participants in a practical context to demonstrate the relevance and consequences of the EU rules for their daily work. 

The interactive training sessions combined with social events allow participants to combine learning, personal and professional cross-border networking. 

Note: During the second part of the programme (see above), participants are able to choose between two different sets of sessions: one focusing on internal market issues or one covering justice and home affairs, thus allowing participants to tailor the summer school to meet their personal and professional needs and interests. 

Objectives
•  Provide participants with in-depth knowledge of the fundamental concepts of EU law and EU law-making process and to deepen their understanding of their role in this process and of the obligations imposed by EU law to which they are subject.
• Offer a practical overview of the implementation of EU law at both the EU and national levels, including delegated and implementing acts and implementation committees.
• Allow participants to gain practical understanding of the comitology process after Lisbon.
• Fine-tune practical understanding of the relevance and impact of EU legislation on their daily work and the mechanisms of its correct implementation into national systems.
• With regard to the implementation of EU law, special attention is paid to the similarities  and differences between the EU Member States and the Candidate and Associate countries.
• Provide a platform for the exchange of experience, information sharing and professional networking.

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