Black Letter Law – EU Law
Book 5: General Principles & Fundamental Rights
 
This exam-focused short read explains the constitutional principles and fundamental rights that underpin and control the operation of European Union law.
 
Written for UK LLB, GDL, and SQE students, this volume provides a clear and structured account of general principles of EU law, including proportionality, legal certainty, equality, and non-discrimination, and explains how the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) uses these principles to interpret legislation, fill gaps in the Treaties, and review the legality of EU acts.
 
The book also offers a practical and accessible guide to fundamental rights protection in EU law, tracing its development from unwritten general principles to the legally binding Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. It explains when the Charter applies to Member States, how it interacts with national law and the ECHR, and the circumstances in which rights and principles may have horizontal effect in disputes between private parties.
 
Throughout, complex constitutional doctrine is distilled into black-letter rules, supported by flowcharts, decision trees, and summary tables designed to help students structure confident, high-scoring exam answers. Key authorities such as Internationale Handelsgesellschaft, ERT, Åkerberg Fransson, and Kücükdeveci are clearly explained and integrated into exam-ready analysis.
 
Ideal for revision, consolidation, and last-minute exam preparation, this Short Read is an essential guide to the constitutional foundations and rights-based limits of EU law.
 
Clear. Structured. Exam-ready.
 
This Short Note forms part of the Black Letter Law Series—European Union Law, which comprises the following:
1. Sources of EU Law & the Hierarchy of Norms
2. EU Legislative Competence & Law-Making Powers
3. Supremacy, Direct Effect & State Liability
4. Judicial Enforcement & ARTICLE 267 TFEU
5. General Principles & Fundamental Rights

The Black Letter Law Series also covers other aspects of law, including Contract Law.