Past events

  Feel free to browse our past events and download presentations and lecture texts.  We are grateful to the speakers for allowing public access to these documents. However, please note it is not permitted to reproduce the lectures and presentations without the author's expressed agreement.
 
07/03/13 40 Years on - The Sovereignty Debate

1 January 2013 marked the 40th anniversary of the first expansion of the EU and the accession of the United Kingdom. As the Prime Minister's recent speech has demonstrated, EU membership continues to raise unprecedented legal and constitutional issues for the United Kingdom. To mark this historic anniversary, the UKAEL and Matrix Chambers are hosting a seminar at which leading experts in the field will debate the central
issues of sovereignty and the rule of law as reflected in the relationship between the UK and EU legal systems.

Panel
Professor Sir Francis Jacobs KCMG QC
, King's College London, UKAEL
Sir Konrad Schiemann, former UK Judge at the ECJ
Rhodri Thompson QC, Matrix Chambers
Professor Takis Tridimas, Queen Mary University of London, Matrix Chambers
Jessica Simor, Matrix Chambers

8.30- 11.00 am, breakfast 8.30 - 9.00
RSA House, 8 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6EZ

free of charge, 2 CPD points

This seminar is generously supported by Matrix Chambers.

Sir Konrad Schiemann paper

supporting seminar papers
 
 
22/02/13

EU Criminal Law - Current Issues

One day UKAEL conference in the Signet Library, Edinburgh, Scotland
jointly organised with the Criminal Justice Centre, Queen Mary, University of London


CPD accredited by the Faculty of Advocates (4.5 hours), the Bar Standards Board (5 CPD hours)  and the Solicitors Regulation Authority. This conference may be worth 3.5hrs under The Law Society of Scotland Regulations


Programme
MORNING CHAIRED by Philippa Watson, Essex Court Chambers

10.00 Welcome by UKAEL president Professor Sir Francis Jacobs KMCG PC QC, King's College London

10.10 The European Public Prosecutor, The Rt Hon Frank Mulholland QC, Lord Advocate

11.30 Developments in the exchange and admissibility of evidence in Criminal Cases in the EU, Mr Mark Mackarel, University of Dundee, download Presentation Slides

12.15 A leap in the dark? The consequences of opt-out from EU criminal justice, Murdo MacLeod QC, Compass Chambers, Edinburgh, Delegate to the CCBE Criminal Law Committee, download Presentation slides

AFTERNOON CHAIRED by Professor Sir David Edward KCMG PC QC, University of Edinburgh

14.15 The European Law Institute: Launch in the United Kingdom, UKAEL president Professor Sir Francis Jacobs KCMG, King's College London 

14.30 How “fundamental” is the Charter right against double jeopardy? Patrick Layden QC TD, Scottish Law Commission, download Presentation Slides


15.15 The European Arrest Warrant After NS and Assange, Professor Valsamis Mitsilegas, Head of the Department of Law and Director of the Criminal Justice Centre, Queen Mary University of London. Download Article.
 Moderator Bill Gilmore, Professor Emeritus, University of Edinburgh

 

29/11/12 EU Law in Practice

This year's student information evening was hosted by International Law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP. The UKAEL welcomed 80 law students to the stunning offices in Fleet Street.

The programme consisted of short perspectives from the Bar -  David Anderson QC, Brickcourt Chambers; from an International Law firm - William Robinson (Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP); from the Government - Daniel Denman (Cabinet Office European Law Division); from Academia - Professor Andrea Biondi (King's College London); from the European Institutions - Nicholas Khan, Legal Service European Commission

Chaired by Professor Philippa Watson, Essex Court Chambers, Honorary Secretary of the UKAEL

 
12/11/12 UKAEL Annual Lecture by The Rt. Hon Lady Justice Mary Arden entitled
Proportionality: the way ahead?


18.30 - 19.30
Edmond J Safra Lecture Theatre
Strand Campus, King's College London
Strand, London WC2R 2LS

Accredited with 1 CPD point by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board.

Please note it is not permitted to reproduce the lecture text without the author's agreement.
Download the lecture text
20/06/12

Competition Law and Fundamental Rights
Evening seminar 20 June 2012

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
65 Fleet Street
London EC4Y 1HS

Accredited with 1.5 CPD points
________________________________________
Programme

Please note it is not permitted to reproduce the lecture text without the author's agreement.
Download Tim Ward QC presentation

Download Aiden O'Neill QC paper

Download Martin Klusmann presentation

Chaired by Professor Richard Whish, King's College London

EU law and fundamental rights - current status (background and update), Aiden O'Neill QC, Matrix Chambers

Remedies for fundamental rights breaches in the EU and competition cases, Tim Ward QC, Monckton Chambers

Fundamental rights arguments in competition cases, Dr Martin Klusmann, Freshfields, Dusseldorf


Organised by William Robinson (Freshfields, London) and Professor Andrea Biondi (King's College London)
________________________________________

 

20/03/12

FIDE Reports

The UKAEL held an evening seminar to introduce the UK rapporteurs and their reports for the biennial FIDE CONGRESS to be held in Tallinn on 30 May to 2 June 2012. This evening was jointly organised with the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.

Council Chamber, Institute of Advanced Legal Studies,
Charles Clore House, 17 Russell Square, London, WC1B 5DR

CPD accredited with 2 points, free of charge

The meeting was chaired by Professor Philippa Watson, Hon Secretary of the UKAEL.

General FIDE Rapporteur for Topic 3, Professor Valsamis Mitsilegas of Queen Mary, University of London, was a contributor at the meeting.

Topics/speakers and reports

25/01/12

Challenging Contract Award Decisions: Recent Developments in Public Procurement Law

Topics covered include:

Recent cases on interim remedies against contract award decisions
The developing law on applications to lift the automatic stay
The Commission’s draft proposal for a Directive on service concessions (COM(2011) 897 final)
The implications of extending the Remedies Directive to awards of service concessions

Both the law on remedies and the prospect of legislation bringing awards of service concessions within the EU public procurement law scheme give rise to many difficult legal issues.  This seminar provided an opportunity to review these in light of the present state of EU law.


Speakers
Please note it is not permitted to reproduce the lecture text without the author's agreement.
Philip Moser, Monckton Chambers, download presentation
Denis Edwards, Francis Taylor Building, download presentation

In the chair Professor Philippa Watson, Essex Court Chambers, Hon Secretary of the UKAEL

25 January 2012, 18.00 - 20.00
River Room, King's College London
Strand Campus, WC2R 2LS

2 points CPD accreditation

18/11/11

Reflections on the role of European Union law through the financial and economic crisis
ISEL/UKAEL joint biennal conference on 18 November in Dublin, accreditated with 6 CPD points by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board.
Please note it is not permitted to reproduce the lecture text without the author's agreement.
Programme | Conference papers
 

10/11/11 EU Law in Practice
Student information evening, sponsored and held on the premises of International law firm Slaughter and May.

90 students enjoyed an evening of short talks by our hosts and UKAEL committee members on pracitising EU Law. This is always an excellent opportunity to meet the professionals and peers inside the walls of an International law firm. Talks are given by a solicitor, a barrister, a government lawyer, as well as UKAEL officers with professional experience in the European Institutions. Special thanks to Philippe Chappatte of Slaughter and May and all who helped with this event for the UKAEL.


At this year's evening the FIDE essay prize competition was launched.

 
19/10/11 The Composition of the European Court of Justice
Annual Lecture by Lord Mance, Justice of the Supreme Court

In the chair Professor Sir Francis Jacobs QC, President of the UKAEL

18.30 on Wednesday 19 October 2011
Edmond J Safra Lecture Theatre, Strand Campus,
King's College London WC2R 2LS

Please note it is not permitted to reproduce the lecture text without the author's agreement.
Lecture text
22/09/11 EU Law and the Land

22 September 2011, 10.00 - 16.30  Swalec Stadium, Cardiff

UKAEL conference in association with the Welsh Government, organisation by UKAEL committee member Elisabeth Jones.

UKAEL's first conference in Wales with sessions on agricultural and environmental law and EU Law. With expert speakers from the Bar, academia, the Welsh government and the European Commission. An excellent opportunity to exchange ideas, this was a lively event that was much enjoyed by all participants. The event was chaired by Clive Lewis QC, First Counsel of the Welsh Government and Graham Waters of Civitas Law. 

Conference programme   |   Robert McCracken QC paper  |  Gwion Lewis paper  |  Gwion Lewis slides  |  Dr Brian Jack slides  |  Elisabeth Jones/Prys Davies slides

24/06/11 Fundamental Rights within the EU: Fundamental Problems?

24 June 2011 10.00 - 16.30, Goodenough College, Bloomsbury, London

The UKAEL returned to this charming venue in the heart of London for a one-day meeting on Fundamental Rights. The conference secured a senior and full audience, attracted by speakers who are known experts in their field. This conference received excellent feedback from the delegates. Chaired and organised by UKAEL Hon Secretary Professor Philippa Watson.

Conference Programme and Papers
 
13/05/11 UKAEL / School of Law at the University of Glasgow
Joint Workshop
Friday 13th May 2011
EU criminal law and the UK: Where do rights come in?

This one day workshop brought together a range of academics and practitioners to explore where and how rights fit into the application of EU criminal law in the UK. In addition to offering a useful account of the post Lisbon landscape this workshop will offer practical perspectives on the application of the European Arrest Warrant and an account of how rights in the criminal law field are being developed at both EU and ECHR levels.
Organiser and UKAEL member Maria Fletcher writes: This was a fascinating day with a great range of expertise represented in both the paper-givers and the audience. The challenges posed by the development of EU criminal law to the criminal justice systems of the both legal system in the UK were brought into sharp focus, as indeed were those posed by the instrument of the European Arrest Warrant in particular. What did become clear was that there are a range perspectives on if and how the EU can better protect rights within the context of EU criminal justice. A call for more focussed training of judges and lawyers on EU criminal law matters was echoed several times throughout the day.

Programme | Patrick Layden QC contribution | The Hon Mr Justice McCloskey contribution


 
05/04/11 Gender Equality, The Charter of Fundamental Rights & Insurance Premiums and Benefits:
Case C-236/09 TEST ACHATS


On 1 March the ECJ decided in case C-236/09, Association belge des Consommateurs Test-Achats ASBL and Others v Conseil des Ministres, that taking the gender of the insured individual into account when determining insurance premiums and benefits was, in principle, discriminatory and contrary to EU law. It declared the relevant derogation in Directive 2004/13 to be invalid and relied, in part, on the Charter of Fundamental Rights, in reaching that conclusion.

The UKAEL held an evening seminar to discuss the implications of the case, including the development of the principle of equality, particularly in the insurance industry, the role of the Charter, and the role of the ECJ.

Chaired by Professor Philippa Watson, Essex Court Chambers
Speakers: Daniel Beard QC, Monckton Chambers, who acted for the UK in the case
Charles Raikes, Legal Adviser at the Government Equalities Office
Event details
 
25/11/10 Annual Address
The UKAEL is delighted that its Annual Address was delivered by The Minister of State for Europe, David Lidington. Lady Justice Arden was in the Chair. UKAEL committee member Katrine Sawyer comments

“The Minister for Europe, David Lidington MP endeared himself to the audience by remembering Lord Denning’s 1974 observation that European law was like an incoming tide. He told us that, like King Cnut, this government would hold back that tide by introducing a “referendum lock”: any proposal to extend the EU’s power or competence beyond that which had already been transferred would be subject to approval by the UK electorate. Mr Lidington avoided commenting on the current crisis in the Eurozone, but responded fully to the audience’s questions. He clarified, for example, that any accession to the EU would not be subject to a referendum in the UK. One member of the audience considered Mr Lidington’s emphasis of parliamentary sovereignty and recourse to referenda as ‘stuck in the 19th Century’. Mr Lidington disagreed; and invited the questioner to get out on the campaign trail, if he wished to win others round to his views. Concluding, on behalf of the association, Lady Justice Arden observed, that Mr Lidington’s EU Bill promised to be another foundation stone in a written constitution for the UK.”

Event details   Download the Minister's speech   Photos
10/11/10 EU Law in Practice
An informative and informal evening for students of EU Law to meet practitioners. This evening was generously hosted by Allen & Overy LLP. See the event details for further information.
18/6/10 One day conference: Remedies for Breach of EU Law Revisited
18 June 2010 at King's College London

In June 1995 the UKAEL in association with the Institute of European Law at the University of Birmingham organised a conference entitled ‘Remedies for Breach of EC Law before National Courts’. Contributions were later published in a book entitled Remedies for Breach of EC Law.

With this conference, both the UK Association for European Law and the Centre of European Law would like to express their appreciation for their respective former president, The Rt Hon The Lord Slynn of Hadley, who chaired the original conference.

The conference was a resounding success which was not surprising as the programme featured an array of most distinguished speakers, commentators and chairs.
This conference was organised with the Centre of European at King's College London.

Programme
Anthony Arnull Paper | Adrian Zuckermann Paper | Paul Farmer Presentation | Judge Deeny Paper  | Judge Fennelly Paper | Simon Whittaker Paper | Nicholas Khan Paper


 
14/6/10 Preparing for FIDE XXIV: The UK reports
The UK rapporteurs presented their reports to a small group of interested jurists. This event was very generously hosted by Matrix Chambers. For the more details on the reports please see here.
30/4/10

One day conference: EU Law and Devolution: The Relationship between Devolved Jurisdictions and the European Union

23 April 2010 - conference in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament Buildings, Edinburgh, with the kind permission of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body and with the generous support of the European Commission Office in Scotland.
Within days of its announcement this conference, which was free for all, was snapped up by UKAEL members and local lawyers so that a waiting list had to be operated. Despite the disruption in air traffic the event went ahead with some amendments to the programme. Feedback has been very positive and shown great interest in the issues discussed.

Programme
Elisabeth Jones Paper|Brian Doherty Handout|Bill Aitken Paper|Lord Hope of Craighead Paper|Paul Cackette Paper|
 

16/12/09 Evening seminar: Lisbon: A Treaty for the 21st Century?
On 16 December 2009 the UK Association for European Law organised an evening seminar on the newly ratified Lisbon Treaty. The event attracted a large number of UKAEL members and students and packed the Edmond J Safra lecture theatre - despite wintry weather conditions.

The seminar which was led by Paul Berman from the Treasurer Solicitors Department and Cabinet Office, proved to be of great interest for those attending. With contributions from Professors Eeckhout and Tridimas and UKAEL president Sir Francis Jacobs QC the evening lasted nearly three hours without a break, a credit to the speakers and their audience.
The successful seminar was rounded off with a drinks reception, a chance to catch up and meet someone new.

Presentations and event details
 
12/11/09 EC Law in Practice
An informative and informal evening for students of EU Law to meet practitioners. This evening was generously hosted by CMS Cameron McKenna LLP. See the event details for more details.
 
19/10/09 AGM and Annual Address by Advocate General Miguel P Maduro 
Photos of the Annual Dinner and event details
 
08/10/09 Climate Change Seminar with UKELA: Can the EU legal system deliver the international agenda on climate change?
Presentations and event details

 
19/06/09

One day conference with ISEL: Current Issues in EU Public Procurement and State Aid

The conference sessions covered Remedies and Case-studies on Public Procurement issues, as well as hot topics in State Aid law, such as the EC Commission’s response to the banking crisis, and recent judgments of the Luxembourg courts in the Ryanair and BUPA cases.

A full and lively audience drawn from the UK and Ireland enjoyed a day in the tranquil setting of the Goodenough College in London’s Bloomsbury.

This was a unique opportunity to stay abreast of crucial recent developments and get practical advice from those with considerable experience of implementing, advising on and adjudicating in Ireland, the United Kingdom and beyond the islands.

The conference was rounded off with a dinner in the splendid Parliament Chamber at Middle Temple.

At the conference David Vaughan CBE QC paid tribute to former UKAEL president Lord Slynn of Hadley.

Read the Tribute or view the programme, presentations & papers

 

13/11/08 EC Law in Practice
30/10/08 AGM and Annual Address by Judge Nicholas Forwood
04/07/08 Competition and private enforcement: the next steps
22/02/08 Damages conference
23/11/07 The Enforcement of National EC Competition Law in the Member States
01/11/07 UKAEL Annual Address "Mission Creep in the European Union"
17/10/07 EC Law in Practice
28/04/07 The Direction of Free Movement: Developments in Services, Establishment & Capital
30/11/06 Annual General Meeting, Annual Address & UKAEL Dinner
12/10/06 EC Law in Practice
30/06/06 Conference in Honour of Sir Francis Jacobshttp://www.ukael.org/associates.html#essay2012
28/10/05 EU Litigation Conference
01/07/05 Reconcling Trade and Global Security
26/11/04 The Treaty Establishing a Consitutution for Europe, The Court and Individual Rights
04/11/04 2004 UKAEL Annual Address: Human Rights and the Draft Constitution
23/01/04 Modernisation of EC Competition Law: Uncertainties and Opportunities
03/05/01 The Treaty of Nice
30/09/00 The British Contribution to Community Law
19/06/98 Conference: Legal Issues of the Amsterdam Treaty
30/10/97 Annual Address: The Court of First Instance: 8 years on
16/11/95 Annual Address: The Judicial System of the European Community in the Present Stage of the European Union

Membership

Our members enjoy a range of benefits including:

  • Discounts and priority booking for all of our events
  • Member rate at the biennial FIDE Congress
  • An invitation to the UKAEL Annual General Meeting
  • Opportunities to study and discuss European Union Law with leading academics and practitioners