Optional Instruments of the European Union: A Definitional, Normative and Explanatory Study

Author: William Bull
Publisher: Intersentia Publishers
ISBN: 9781780684109
Published In: May 2016
Format: Paperback
Jurisdiction: U.K. ? Disclaimer:
Countri(es) stated herein are used as reference only

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Description
Contents

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This rise of a particular kind of European Union legislation known as the ‘optional instrument’ is a novel trend in the context of EU law, and one that until now has not been comprehensively mapped or explored. This study examines and discusses existing and proposed EU Optional Instruments (OIs) in different fields of European law, including company law, intellectual property law and procedural law (such as the European Company, the Community Trade Mark and the European Small Claims Procedure, respectively), as well as contract law.

The study identifies the core elements that define Optional Instruments of the EU and distinguish them from other kinds of EU legislation, especially so-called approximating measures. It provides a detailed overview of a total of twelve OIs in the aforementioned policy areas, charting their development, characteristics and (where appropriate) usage in practice. It investigates the case for and against the use of optional instruments as an alternative means of EU law-making, by analyzing and evaluating the principal arguments in the debate surrounding the use of this legislative method. Finally, it offers an explanation of the varied degree of ‘success’ of EU OIs already in existence, by identifying possible factors that play a role in this respect and testing the significance of these factors with reference to available empirical data. In doing so, the author provides a framework for future research into this developing phenomenon, as well as guidance for the elaboration of future Optional Instruments of the European Union.

Introduction (p.

PART 1: EU OPTIONAL INSTRUMENTS: DEFINITION AND DESCRIPTION

Nature and Type(s) of EU Optional Instruments (p.

15)

Overview of EU Optional Instruments (p.

45)

PART 2: EU OPTIONAL INSTRUMENTS: A NORMATIVE AND EXPLANATORY FRAMEWORK

Normative Framework (p.

117)

Explanatory Framework (p.

211)

PART 3: OUTCOMES OF STUDY AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES