Excellent Book!, 19 Oct 2007
I'm now in my second year of an undergraduate course and my lecturers had recommended two main books - this one and another EU Law textbook by Jo.Steiner. I first bought the EU book by Jo.Steiner but realised that it had no caselaw (or insufficient at least) and decided to get this book by Burca. I have to say that you can rely on this book alone for the full course, it is very informative and has some interesting small debates on contentious issues. Quite rightly, it can be described as the 'Bible' of EU Law. Despite it being very thick with lots of information, it is very easy to read and comprehend.

In summary, get this book before any others! You would not need to buy any others, but remember always use other books as well for essays!

Why is it so long winded?, 08 Oct 2007
This book is massively over-detailed. Even my lecturer who suggested this book as recommended reading says on her handout 'It has far more detail than you will need on this course but there are nuggets of crucial information amongst all the detail'. Is there really? Well why can't people who are supposed to be such experts in their field that they write what is described as the leading textbooks get to the point a bit more quickly or better still make it clear which bits of their lengthy boredom-fest are the important bits that students need to know. I bought this, read the first reading from it that I had to read for a seminar and sent it back so that I could get a refund. There are tons of good, clear and to the point EU law textbooks out there that are for sale at a fraction of the price of this rambling mammoth so be sure to shop around for a book that is actualy useful (cuts through the chaff for you) rather than making things even more muddled.

Best EU Law book around, 18 Sep 2007
As a law student I've had to shell out loads of money for books that stay on the shelf and barely get opened... after five years of law school I can say without a shadow of a doubt Craig and De Burca was the book I got the most value for money out of. Absolutely, 100% recommended for any law student who will be taking a number of EU courses, or EU Law related degree. If only all other law books were as easy to read as this one!

Claptrap, 19 Jul 2007
This book is totally woeful - it completely misdescribes the crucial principle of indirect effect and is breathtakingly incompetent when discussing the Von Colson principle.

I urge all self-respecting students of the law to steer well clear of this depressing read, it will seriously challenge your will to live.

EU Law textbook review, 27 Jun 2006
Suddenly EU law becomes clear! If, like me, you have struggled to master the various areas and concepts of EU law then this book is for you. Easy to use, easy to read and easy to cross reference to other text books. Well worth the money!

Excellent Book!, 19 Oct 2007
I'm now in my second year of an undergraduate course and my lecturers had recommended two main books - this one and another EU Law textbook by Jo.Steiner. I first bought the EU book by Jo.Steiner but realised that it had no caselaw (or insufficient at least) and decided to get this book by Burca. I have to say that you can rely on this book alone for the full course, it is very informative and has some interesting small debates on contentious issues. Quite rightly, it can be described as the 'Bible' of EU Law. Despite it being very thick with lots of information, it is very easy to read and comprehend.

In summary, get this book before any others! You would not need to buy any others, but remember always use other books as well for essays!

Why is it so long winded?, 08 Oct 2007
This book is massively over-detailed. Even my lecturer who suggested this book as recommended reading says on her handout 'It has far more detail than you will need on this course but there are nuggets of crucial information amongst all the detail'. Is there really? Well why can't people who are supposed to be such experts in their field that they write what is described as the leading textbooks get to the point a bit more quickly or better still make it clear which bits of their lengthy boredom-fest are the important bits that students need to know. I bought this, read the first reading from it that I had to read for a seminar and sent it back so that I could get a refund. There are tons of good, clear and to the point EU law textbooks out there that are for sale at a fraction of the price of this rambling mammoth so be sure to shop around for a book that is actualy useful (cuts through the chaff for you) rather than making things even more muddled.

Best EU Law book around, 18 Sep 2007
As a law student I've had to shell out loads of money for books that stay on the shelf and barely get opened... after five years of law school I can say without a shadow of a doubt Craig and De Burca was the book I got the most value for money out of. Absolutely, 100% recommended for any law student who will be taking a number of EU courses, or EU Law related degree. If only all other law books were as easy to read as this one!

Claptrap, 19 Jul 2007
This book is totally woeful - it completely misdescribes the crucial principle of indirect effect and is breathtakingly incompetent when discussing the Von Colson principle.

I urge all self-respecting students of the law to steer well clear of this depressing read, it will seriously challenge your will to live.

EU Law textbook review, 27 Jun 2006
Suddenly EU law becomes clear! If, like me, you have struggled to master the various areas and concepts of EU law then this book is for you. Easy to use, easy to read and easy to cross reference to other text books. Well worth the money!

Incoherent at times, 18 Nov 2008
This books is very informative but the style isn't the least bit engaging. It jumps around from case to case plucking points seemingly at random, and the authors belabour certain points to death. The way it separates information into chapters, sections and subsections does not seem logical in the least bit and is at complete odds with the way my lecture notes is laid out.

To be fair to the authors, EC law is a load of BS in general given that none of the ECJ's cases are binding precedents. This was confirmed when I cross-referenced cases from lectures, cases from another text and cases in this book. There was a stunning lack of overlap between the sources, and authors could pick from any number of sources to illustrate a point or principle.

But overall, not a student-friendly read.

ideal for EU lawyer transfer exams in UK, 18 Sep 2008
This comprehensive book gives you ALL you need to know about the history, system, institutions, freedoms, competition regulation etc of the EU. I used it as the base for my EU solicitor transfer exam and I didn't require any other textbook. If you only want to get an overview, this book is probably too much as it is very detailed.

Only because I had to buy it, 10 Dec 2006
This book is just VERY confusing. It spouts case after case without any real explanation. I've found it takes away from what I learn in my lectures (which I have actually enjoyed a lot!). Out of all my textbooks/casebooks for this year (contract, public and criminal law being the others) I have found this to be the most useless of all and hardest to read without falling asleep. The fact that I'm here two weeks before my EU law exam desperately searching for a revision guide to save me from failing isn't a great sign. But to be fair EU law can be hard to put down into words and, saying that, it has provided me with *some* information I suppose, so I've given it three out of five. It could just be a LOT clearer, if there wasn't so much waffle and pointless writing!

Excellent Book!, 19 Oct 2007
I'm now in my second year of an undergraduate course and my lecturers had recommended two main books - this one and another EU Law textbook by Jo.Steiner. I first bought the EU book by Jo.Steiner but realised that it had no caselaw (or insufficient at least) and decided to get this book by Burca. I have to say that you can rely on this book alone for the full course, it is very informative and has some interesting small debates on contentious issues. Quite rightly, it can be described as the 'Bible' of EU Law. Despite it being very thick with lots of information, it is very easy to read and comprehend.

In summary, get this book before any others! You would not need to buy any others, but remember always use other books as well for essays!

Why is it so long winded?, 08 Oct 2007
This book is massively over-detailed. Even my lecturer who suggested this book as recommended reading says on her handout 'It has far more detail than you will need on this course but there are nuggets of crucial information amongst all the detail'. Is there really? Well why can't people who are supposed to be such experts in their field that they write what is described as the leading textbooks get to the point a bit more quickly or better still make it clear which bits of their lengthy boredom-fest are the important bits that students need to know. I bought this, read the first reading from it that I had to read for a seminar and sent it back so that I could get a refund. There are tons of good, clear and to the point EU law textbooks out there that are for sale at a fraction of the price of this rambling mammoth so be sure to shop around for a book that is actualy useful (cuts through the chaff for you) rather than making things even more muddled.

Best EU Law book around, 18 Sep 2007
As a law student I've had to shell out loads of money for books that stay on the shelf and barely get opened... after five years of law school I can say without a shadow of a doubt Craig and De Burca was the book I got the most value for money out of. Absolutely, 100% recommended for any law student who will be taking a number of EU courses, or EU Law related degree. If only all other law books were as easy to read as this one!

Claptrap, 19 Jul 2007
This book is totally woeful - it completely misdescribes the crucial principle of indirect effect and is breathtakingly incompetent when discussing the Von Colson principle.

I urge all self-respecting students of the law to steer well clear of this depressing read, it will seriously challenge your will to live.

EU Law textbook review, 27 Jun 2006
Suddenly EU law becomes clear! If, like me, you have struggled to master the various areas and concepts of EU law then this book is for you. Easy to use, easy to read and easy to cross reference to other text books. Well worth the money!

Incoherent at times, 18 Nov 2008
This books is very informative but the style isn't the least bit engaging. It jumps around from case to case plucking points seemingly at random, and the authors belabour certain points to death. The way it separates information into chapters, sections and subsections does not seem logical in the least bit and is at complete odds with the way my lecture notes is laid out.

To be fair to the authors, EC law is a load of BS in general given that none of the ECJ's cases are binding precedents. This was confirmed when I cross-referenced cases from lectures, cases from another text and cases in this book. There was a stunning lack of overlap between the sources, and authors could pick from any number of sources to illustrate a point or principle.

But overall, not a student-friendly read.

ideal for EU lawyer transfer exams in UK, 18 Sep 2008
This comprehensive book gives you ALL you need to know about the history, system, institutions, freedoms, competition regulation etc of the EU. I used it as the base for my EU solicitor transfer exam and I didn't require any other textbook. If you only want to get an overview, this book is probably too much as it is very detailed.

Only because I had to buy it, 10 Dec 2006
This book is just VERY confusing. It spouts case after case without any real explanation. I've found it takes away from what I learn in my lectures (which I have actually enjoyed a lot!). Out of all my textbooks/casebooks for this year (contract, public and criminal law being the others) I have found this to be the most useless of all and hardest to read without falling asleep. The fact that I'm here two weeks before my EU law exam desperately searching for a revision guide to save me from failing isn't a great sign. But to be fair EU law can be hard to put down into words and, saying that, it has provided me with *some* information I suppose, so I've given it three out of five. It could just be a LOT clearer, if there wasn't so much waffle and pointless writing!

An unusual textbook: clear, interesting and memorable., 29 May 2006
The juxtaposition of text alongside extracts from the EC Treaty, secondary legislation, caselaw and quotations from academics and judges, plus case examples provides students with an unimpeded flow of explanation and argument. Organising the material this way avoids concentration-breaking struggles with the indexes of other textbooks (do publishers ever consider the awkwardness of handling `heavyweight' tomes?), cuts away the undergrowth and presents the material in straightforward style. The lucid and intelligent analysis helps to make the subject easier to understand and remember. Interspersed with activity sections and diagrams, the textbook covers material essential for degree and CPE students (the relevant sections would do `A' level students no harm either) and is invaluable for revision purposes. With the considerable benefit of being up to date, a chapter on the topic of Citizenship of the European Union is included, and with each chapter a useful further reading list.

Though quite comprehensive in itself, the textbook is an excellent point from which to dive into a more exhaustive study of European Union law, and makes you want to follow up the issues mentioned. In the preface the authors express the hope that readers will enjoy studying the subject - well I did, and I came away from this book with an understanding that has enabled me to dig deeper.

Excellent Book!, 19 Oct 2007
I'm now in my second year of an undergraduate course and my lecturers had recommended two main books - this one and another EU Law textbook by Jo.Steiner. I first bought the EU book by Jo.Steiner but realised that it had no caselaw (or insufficient at least) and decided to get this book by Burca. I have to say that you can rely on this book alone for the full course, it is very informative and has some interesting small debates on contentious issues. Quite rightly, it can be described as the 'Bible' of EU Law. Despite it being very thick with lots of information, it is very easy to read and comprehend.

In summary, get this book before any others! You would not need to buy any others, but remember always use other books as well for essays!

Why is it so long winded?, 08 Oct 2007
This book is massively over-detailed. Even my lecturer who suggested this book as recommended reading says on her handout 'It has far more detail than you will need on this course but there are nuggets of crucial information amongst all the detail'. Is there really? Well why can't people who are supposed to be such experts in their field that they write what is described as the leading textbooks get to the point a bit more quickly or better still make it clear which bits of their lengthy boredom-fest are the important bits that students need to know. I bought this, read the first reading from it that I had to read for a seminar and sent it back so that I could get a refund. There are tons of good, clear and to the point EU law textbooks out there that are for sale at a fraction of the price of this rambling mammoth so be sure to shop around for a book that is actualy useful (cuts through the chaff for you) rather than making things even more muddled.

Best EU Law book around, 18 Sep 2007
As a law student I've had to shell out loads of money for books that stay on the shelf and barely get opened... after five years of law school I can say without a shadow of a doubt Craig and De Burca was the book I got the most value for money out of. Absolutely, 100% recommended for any law student who will be taking a number of EU courses, or EU Law related degree. If only all other law books were as easy to read as this one!

Claptrap, 19 Jul 2007
This book is totally woeful - it completely misdescribes the crucial principle of indirect effect and is breathtakingly incompetent when discussing the Von Colson principle.

I urge all self-respecting students of the law to steer well clear of this depressing read, it will seriously challenge your will to live.

EU Law textbook review, 27 Jun 2006
Suddenly EU law becomes clear! If, like me, you have struggled to master the various areas and concepts of EU law then this book is for you. Easy to use, easy to read and easy to cross reference to other text books. Well worth the money!

Incoherent at times, 18 Nov 2008
This books is very informative but the style isn't the least bit engaging. It jumps around from case to case plucking points seemingly at random, and the authors belabour certain points to death. The way it separates information into chapters, sections and subsections does not seem logical in the least bit and is at complete odds with the way my lecture notes is laid out.

To be fair to the authors, EC law is a load of BS in general given that none of the ECJ's cases are binding precedents. This was confirmed when I cross-referenced cases from lectures, cases from another text and cases in this book. There was a stunning lack of overlap between the sources, and authors could pick from any number of sources to illustrate a point or principle.

But overall, not a student-friendly read.

ideal for EU lawyer transfer exams in UK, 18 Sep 2008
This comprehensive book gives you ALL you need to know about the history, system, institutions, freedoms, competition regulation etc of the EU. I used it as the base for my EU solicitor transfer exam and I didn't require any other textbook. If you only want to get an overview, this book is probably too much as it is very detailed.

Only because I had to buy it, 10 Dec 2006
This book is just VERY confusing. It spouts case after case without any real explanation. I've found it takes away from what I learn in my lectures (which I have actually enjoyed a lot!). Out of all my textbooks/casebooks for this year (contract, public and criminal law being the others) I have found this to be the most useless of all and hardest to read without falling asleep. The fact that I'm here two weeks before my EU law exam desperately searching for a revision guide to save me from failing isn't a great sign. But to be fair EU law can be hard to put down into words and, saying that, it has provided me with *some* information I suppose, so I've given it three out of five. It could just be a LOT clearer, if there wasn't so much waffle and pointless writing!

An unusual textbook: clear, interesting and memorable., 29 May 2006
The juxtaposition of text alongside extracts from the EC Treaty, secondary legislation, caselaw and quotations from academics and judges, plus case examples provides students with an unimpeded flow of explanation and argument. Organising the material this way avoids concentration-breaking struggles with the indexes of other textbooks (do publishers ever consider the awkwardness of handling `heavyweight' tomes?), cuts away the undergrowth and presents the material in straightforward style. The lucid and intelligent analysis helps to make the subject easier to understand and remember. Interspersed with activity sections and diagrams, the textbook covers material essential for degree and CPE students (the relevant sections would do `A' level students no harm either) and is invaluable for revision purposes. With the considerable benefit of being up to date, a chapter on the topic of Citizenship of the European Union is included, and with each chapter a useful further reading list.

Though quite comprehensive in itself, the textbook is an excellent point from which to dive into a more exhaustive study of European Union law, and makes you want to follow up the issues mentioned. In the preface the authors express the hope that readers will enjoy studying the subject - well I did, and I came away from this book with an understanding that has enabled me to dig deeper.

excellent & informative, 17 Oct 2006
This book provided me with a sound knowledge base of european law. It is well written and easy to digest, an absolute must for anyone new to the subject.

Excellent Book!, 19 Oct 2007
I'm now in my second year of an undergraduate course and my lecturers had recommended two main books - this one and another EU Law textbook by Jo.Steiner. I first bought the EU book by Jo.Steiner but realised that it had no caselaw (or insufficient at least) and decided to get this book by Burca. I have to say that you can rely on this book alone for the full course, it is very informative and has some interesting small debates on contentious issues. Quite rightly, it can be described as the 'Bible' of EU Law. Despite it being very thick with lots of information, it is very easy to read and comprehend.

In summary, get this book before any others! You would not need to buy any others, but remember always use other books as well for essays!

Why is it so long winded?, 08 Oct 2007
This book is massively over-detailed. Even my lecturer who suggested this book as recommended reading says on her handout 'It has far more detail than you will need on this course but there are nuggets of crucial information amongst all the detail'. Is there really? Well why can't people who are supposed to be such experts in their field that they write what is described as the leading textbooks get to the point a bit more quickly or better still make it clear which bits of their lengthy boredom-fest are the important bits that students need to know. I bought this, read the first reading from it that I had to read for a seminar and sent it back so that I could get a refund. There are tons of good, clear and to the point EU law textbooks out there that are for sale at a fraction of the price of this rambling mammoth so be sure to shop around for a book that is actualy useful (cuts through the chaff for you) rather than making things even more muddled.

Best EU Law book around, 18 Sep 2007
As a law student I've had to shell out loads of money for books that stay on the shelf and barely get opened... after five years of law school I can say without a shadow of a doubt Craig and De Burca was the book I got the most value for money out of. Absolutely, 100% recommended for any law student who will be taking a number of EU courses, or EU Law related degree. If only all other law books were as easy to read as this one!

Claptrap, 19 Jul 2007
This book is totally woeful - it completely misdescribes the crucial principle of indirect effect and is breathtakingly incompetent when discussing the Von Colson principle.

I urge all self-respecting students of the law to steer well clear of this depressing read, it will seriously challenge your will to live.

EU Law textbook review, 27 Jun 2006
Suddenly EU law becomes clear! If, like me, you have struggled to master the various areas and concepts of EU law then this book is for you. Easy to use, easy to read and easy to cross reference to other text books. Well worth the money!

Incoherent at times, 18 Nov 2008
This books is very informative but the style isn't the least bit engaging. It jumps around from case to case plucking points seemingly at random, and the authors belabour certain points to death. The way it separates information into chapters, sections and subsections does not seem logical in the least bit and is at complete odds with the way my lecture notes is laid out.

To be fair to the authors, EC law is a load of BS in general given that none of the ECJ's cases are binding precedents. This was confirmed when I cross-referenced cases from lectures, cases from another text and cases in this book. There was a stunning lack of overlap between the sources, and authors could pick from any number of sources to illustrate a point or principle.

But overall, not a student-friendly read.

ideal for EU lawyer transfer exams in UK, 18 Sep 2008
This comprehensive book gives you ALL you need to know about the history, system, institutions, freedoms, competition regulation etc of the EU. I used it as the base for my EU solicitor transfer exam and I didn't require any other textbook. If you only want to get an overview, this book is probably too much as it is very detailed.

Only because I had to buy it, 10 Dec 2006
This book is just VERY confusing. It spouts case after case without any real explanation. I've found it takes away from what I learn in my lectures (which I have actually enjoyed a lot!). Out of all my textbooks/casebooks for this year (contract, public and criminal law being the others) I have found this to be the most useless of all and hardest to read without falling asleep. The fact that I'm here two weeks before my EU law exam desperately searching for a revision guide to save me from failing isn't a great sign. But to be fair EU law can be hard to put down into words and, saying that, it has provided me with *some* information I suppose, so I've given it three out of five. It could just be a LOT clearer, if there wasn't so much waffle and pointless writing!

An unusual textbook: clear, interesting and memorable., 29 May 2006
The juxtaposition of text alongside extracts from the EC Treaty, secondary legislation, caselaw and quotations from academics and judges, plus case examples provides students with an unimpeded flow of explanation and argument. Organising the material this way avoids concentration-breaking struggles with the indexes of other textbooks (do publishers ever consider the awkwardness of handling `heavyweight' tomes?), cuts away the undergrowth and presents the material in straightforward style. The lucid and intelligent analysis helps to make the subject easier to understand and remember. Interspersed with activity sections and diagrams, the textbook covers material essential for degree and CPE students (the relevant sections would do `A' level students no harm either) and is invaluable for revision purposes. With the considerable benefit of being up to date, a chapter on the topic of Citizenship of the European Union is included, and with each chapter a useful further reading list.

Though quite comprehensive in itself, the textbook is an excellent point from which to dive into a more exhaustive study of European Union law, and makes you want to follow up the issues mentioned. In the preface the authors express the hope that readers will enjoy studying the subject - well I did, and I came away from this book with an understanding that has enabled me to dig deeper.

excellent & informative, 17 Oct 2006
This book provided me with a sound knowledge base of european law. It is well written and easy to digest, an absolute must for anyone new to the subject.

A good point of reference., 28 Mar 2004
This book covers much of the information, required on today's LL.B and LL.M courses. The references to the case law are very good and questions asked at the end of each reference point, draw the reader to the fact that there is more to do than just 'reading' the text. The cases are well summarised and often, it is not always necessary to read the full case, as the relevant points and judgments are all clearly marked. A very well laid out book, with ample commentary, obviously written in a modern context.

Excellent Book!, 19 Oct 2007
I'm now in my second year of an undergraduate course and my lecturers had recommended two main books - this one and another EU Law textbook by Jo.Steiner. I first bought the EU book by Jo.Steiner but realised that it had no caselaw (or insufficient at least) and decided to get this book by Burca. I have to say that you can rely on this book alone for the full course, it is very informative and has some interesting small debates on contentious issues. Quite rightly, it can be described as the 'Bible' of EU Law. Despite it being very thick with lots of information, it is very easy to read and comprehend.

In summary, get this book before any others! You would not need to buy any others, but remember always use other books as well for essays!

Why is it so long winded?, 08 Oct 2007
This book is massively over-detailed. Even my lecturer who suggested this book as recommended reading says on her handout 'It has far more detail than you will need on this course but there are nuggets of crucial information amongst all the detail'. Is there really? Well why can't people who are supposed to be such experts in their field that they write what is described as the leading textbooks get to the point a bit more quickly or better still make it clear which bits of their lengthy boredom-fest are the important bits that students need to know. I bought this, read the first reading from it that I had to read for a seminar and sent it back so that I could get a refund. There are tons of good, clear and to the point EU law textbooks out there that are for sale at a fraction of the price of this rambling mammoth so be sure to shop around for a book that is actualy useful (cuts through the chaff for you) rather than making things even more muddled.

Best EU Law book around, 18 Sep 2007
As a law student I've had to shell out loads of money for books that stay on the shelf and barely get opened... after five years of law school I can say without a shadow of a doubt Craig and De Burca was the book I got the most value for money out of. Absolutely, 100% recommended for any law student who will be taking a number of EU courses, or EU Law related degree. If only all other law books were as easy to read as this one!

Claptrap, 19 Jul 2007
This book is totally woeful - it completely misdescribes the crucial principle of indirect effect and is breathtakingly incompetent when discussing the Von Colson principle.

I urge all self-respecting students of the law to steer well clear of this depressing read, it will seriously challenge your will to live.

EU Law textbook review, 27 Jun 2006
Suddenly EU law becomes clear! If, like me, you have struggled to master the various areas and concepts of EU law then this book is for you. Easy to use, easy to read and easy to cross reference to other text books. Well worth the money!

Incoherent at times, 18 Nov 2008
This books is very informative but the style isn't the least bit engaging. It jumps around from case to case plucking points seemingly at random, and the authors belabour certain points to death. The way it separates information into chapters, sections and subsections does not seem logical in the least bit and is at complete odds with the way my lecture notes is laid out.

To be fair to the authors, EC law is a load of BS in general given that none of the ECJ's cases are binding precedents. This was confirmed when I cross-referenced cases from lectures, cases from another text and cases in this book. There was a stunning lack of overlap between the sources, and authors could pick from any number of sources to illustrate a point or principle.

But overall, not a student-friendly read.

ideal for EU lawyer transfer exams in UK, 18 Sep 2008
This comprehensive book gives you ALL you need to know about the history, system, institutions, freedoms, competition regulation etc of the EU. I used it as the base for my EU solicitor transfer exam and I didn't require any other textbook. If you only want to get an overview, this book is probably too much as it is very detailed.

Only because I had to buy it, 10 Dec 2006
This book is just VERY confusing. It spouts case after case without any real explanation. I've found it takes away from what I learn in my lectures (which I have actually enjoyed a lot!). Out of all my textbooks/casebooks for this year (contract, public and criminal law being the others) I have found this to be the most useless of all and hardest to read without falling asleep. The fact that I'm here two weeks before my EU law exam desperately searching for a revision guide to save me from failing isn't a great sign. But to be fair EU law can be hard to put down into words and, saying that, it has provided me with *some* information I suppose, so I've given it three out of five. It could just be a LOT clearer, if there wasn't so much waffle and pointless writing!

An unusual textbook: clear, interesting and memorable., 29 May 2006
The juxtaposition of text alongside extracts from the EC Treaty, secondary legislation, caselaw and quotations from academics and judges, plus case examples provides students with an unimpeded flow of explanation and argument. Organising the material this way avoids concentration-breaking struggles with the indexes of other textbooks (do publishers ever consider the awkwardness of handling `heavyweight' tomes?), cuts away the undergrowth and presents the material in straightforward style. The lucid and intelligent analysis helps to make the subject easier to understand and remember. Interspersed with activity sections and diagrams, the textbook covers material essential for degree and CPE students (the relevant sections would do `A' level students no harm either) and is invaluable for revision purposes. With the considerable benefit of being up to date, a chapter on the topic of Citizenship of the European Union is included, and with each chapter a useful further reading list.

Though quite comprehensive in itself, the textbook is an excellent point from which to dive into a more exhaustive study of European Union law, and makes you want to follow up the issues mentioned. In the preface the authors express the hope that readers will enjoy studying the subject - well I did, and I came away from this book with an understanding that has enabled me to dig deeper.

excellent & informative, 17 Oct 2006
This book provided me with a sound knowledge base of european law. It is well written and easy to digest, an absolute must for anyone new to the subject.

A good point of reference., 28 Mar 2004
This book covers much of the information, required on today's LL.B and LL.M courses. The references to the case law are very good and questions asked at the end of each reference point, draw the reader to the fact that there is more to do than just 'reading' the text. The cases are well summarised and often, it is not always necessary to read the full case, as the relevant points and judgments are all clearly marked. A very well laid out book, with ample commentary, obviously written in a modern context.

A 'must' for exam revision, 03 May 2003
I had been waiting a little while for this title, it was well worth the wait. Equity and Trusts (i think) is an extremely complex and difficult subject yet this title crunches the core essentials into a small pocket sized book, making it very accessible for exam revision.

With some revision aids however, i have found that the information provided is too brief, but this gets the balance just right. The information is broken down very well with helpful summaries and diagrams. Additionally all the core topics are included and it personally covered everything on my LLB course. I would highly recommend it to anyone revising for the equity and trusts exam, who needs reassurance of the basics.

Excellent Book!, 19 Oct 2007
I'm now in my second year of an undergraduate course and my lecturers had recommended two main books - this one and another EU Law textbook by Jo.Steiner. I first bought the EU book by Jo.Steiner but realised that it had no caselaw (or insufficient at least) and decided to get this book by Burca. I have to say that you can rely on this book alone for the full course, it is very informative and has some interesting small debates on contentious issues. Quite rightly, it can be described as the 'Bible' of EU Law. Despite it being very thick with lots of information, it is very easy to read and comprehend.

In summary, get this book before any others! You would not need to buy any others, but remember always use other books as well for essays!

Why is it so long winded?, 08 Oct 2007
This book is massively over-detailed. Even my lecturer who suggested this book as recommended reading says on her handout 'It has far more detail than you will need on this course but there are nuggets of crucial information amongst all the detail'. Is there really? Well why can't people who are supposed to be such experts in their field that they write what is described as the leading textbooks get to the point a bit more quickly or better still make it clear which bits of their lengthy boredom-fest are the important bits that students need to know. I bought this, read the first reading from it that I had to read for a seminar and sent it back so that I could get a refund. There are tons of good, clear and to the point EU law textbooks out there that are for sale at a fraction of the price of this rambling mammoth so be sure to shop around for a book that is actualy useful (cuts through the chaff for you) rather than making things even more muddled.

Best EU Law book around, 18 Sep 2007
As a law student I've had to shell out loads of money for books that stay on the shelf and barely get opened... after five years of law school I can say without a shadow of a doubt Craig and De Burca was the book I got the most value for money out of. Absolutely, 100% recommended for any law student who will be taking a number of EU courses, or EU Law related degree. If only all other law books were as easy to read as this one!

Claptrap, 19 Jul 2007
This book is totally woeful - it completely misdescribes the crucial principle of indirect effect and is breathtakingly incompetent when discussing the Von Colson principle.

I urge all self-respecting students of the law to steer well clear of this depressing read, it will seriously challenge your will to live.

EU Law textbook review, 27 Jun 2006
Suddenly EU law becomes clear! If, like me, you have struggled to master the various areas and concepts of EU law then this book is for you. Easy to use, easy to read and easy to cross reference to other text books. Well worth the money!

Incoherent at times, 18 Nov 2008
This books is very informative but the style isn't the least bit engaging. It jumps around from case to case plucking points seemingly at random, and the authors belabour certain points to death. The way it separates information into chapters, sections and subsections does not seem logical in the least bit and is at complete odds with the way my lecture notes is laid out.

To be fair to the authors, EC law is a load of BS in general given that none of the ECJ's cases are binding precedents. This was confirmed when I cross-referenced cases from lectures, cases from another text and cases in this book. There was a stunning lack of overlap between the sources, and authors could pick from any number of sources to illustrate a point or principle.

But overall, not a student-friendly read.

ideal for EU lawyer transfer exams in UK, 18 Sep 2008
This comprehensive book gives you ALL you need to know about the history, system, institutions, freedoms, competition regulation etc of the EU. I used it as the base for my EU solicitor transfer exam and I didn't require any other textbook. If you only want to get an overview, this book is probably too much as it is very detailed.

Only because I had to buy it, 10 Dec 2006
This book is just VERY confusing. It spouts case after case without any real explanation. I've found it takes away from what I learn in my lectures (which I have actually enjoyed a lot!). Out of all my textbooks/casebooks for this year (contract, public and criminal law being the others) I have found this to be the most useless of all and hardest to read without falling asleep. The fact that I'm here two weeks before my EU law exam desperately searching for a revision guide to save me from failing isn't a great sign. But to be fair EU law can be hard to put down into words and, saying that, it has provided me with *some* information I suppose, so I've given it three out of five. It could just be a LOT clearer, if there wasn't so much waffle and pointless writing!

An unusual textbook: clear, interesting and memorable., 29 May 2006
The juxtaposition of text alongside extracts from the EC Treaty, secondary legislation, caselaw and quotations from academics and judges, plus case examples provides students with an unimpeded flow of explanation and argument. Organising the material this way avoids concentration-breaking struggles with the indexes of other textbooks (do publishers ever consider the awkwardness of handling `heavyweight' tomes?), cuts away the undergrowth and presents the material in straightforward style. The lucid and intelligent analysis helps to make the subject easier to understand and remember. Interspersed with activity sections and diagrams, the textbook covers material essential for degree and CPE students (the relevant sections would do `A' level students no harm either) and is invaluable for revision purposes. With the considerable benefit of being up to date, a chapter on the topic of Citizenship of the European Union is included, and with each chapter a useful further reading list.

Though quite comprehensive in itself, the textbook is an excellent point from which to dive into a more exhaustive study of European Union law, and makes you want to follow up the issues mentioned. In the preface the authors express the hope that readers will enjoy studying the subject - well I did, and I came away from this book with an understanding that has enabled me to dig deeper.

excellent & informative, 17 Oct 2006
This book provided me with a sound knowledge base of european law. It is well written and easy to digest, an absolute must for anyone new to the subject.

A good point of reference., 28 Mar 2004
This book covers much of the information, required on today's LL.B and LL.M courses. The references to the case law are very good and questions asked at the end of each reference point, draw the reader to the fact that there is more to do than just 'reading' the text. The cases are well summarised and often, it is not always necessary to read the full case, as the relevant points and judgments are all clearly marked. A very well laid out book, with ample commentary, obviously written in a modern context.

A 'must' for exam revision, 03 May 2003
I had been waiting a little while for this title, it was well worth the wait. Equity and Trusts (i think) is an extremely complex and difficult subject yet this title crunches the core essentials into a small pocket sized book, making it very accessible for exam revision.

With some revision aids however, i have found that the information provided is too brief, but this gets the balance just right. The information is broken down very well with helpful summaries and diagrams. Additionally all the core topics are included and it personally covered everything on my LLB course. I would highly recommend it to anyone revising for the equity and trusts exam, who needs reassurance of the basics.

Great!, 17 Mar 2008
Looking for a comprehensive book on the 'four freedoms'? This is ideal!

It had the depth of knowledge that I needed for an essay and the layout is good for finding just what you need easily. It was a comfortable read in a subject that can be a bit confusing, or a little 'dry'. I don't think you can go far wrong.