If you’re diving into European Union law, Alina Kaczorowska’s European Union Law is one of those books that you won’t want to miss. It’s not just another legal textbook – it’s a clear, insightful, and comprehensive guide that makes complex EU law understandable and practical for everyone, whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone interested in how the EU legal system works.

The book begins with the history of European integration, which is really helpful for understanding how the EU came to be what it is today. It’s not just a dry history lesson – Kaczorowska explains how all the political and legal decisions in the past have shaped the EU’s current legal system. This historical context is important for grasping how the EU functions now.

One of the big topics covered in the book is the Treaty of Lisbon, which is a key part of the EU’s legal foundation. The Treaty of Lisbon made a lot of changes to the EU’s structure, and Kaczorowska does a great job of breaking it down. She explains how the Treaty reshaped EU institutions and gave more power to the European Parliament, making it much clearer why Lisbon is such an important document in EU law.

Then there’s the expanding membership of the European Union. As more countries join the EU, there are new challenges in making sure everyone follows the same rules and standards. Kaczorowska discusses the legal challenges that come with enlargement, giving readers an understanding of how the legal system adapts to new members and how it affects the way the EU functions overall.

The book also tackles the competences of the EU, explaining what the EU can and cannot do, and how its powers are divided between the Union and member states. This is a crucial topic for anyone working with EU law, because understanding the limits of EU power helps clarify so many legal issues that come up in practice.

When Kaczorowska moves on to the institutional framework of the EU, she explains how all the EU institutions work together. She breaks down the roles of the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the European Court of Justice, showing how each institution contributes to the development of EU law. For anyone working with or studying EU law, knowing how these institutions interact is key.

Another key part of the book is the chapter on legislative procedures in the EU. Kaczorowska explains how laws are made in the EU, detailing the process step by step. This is something that’s often confusing, but she explains it so clearly that you can easily understand how the law-making process works in Brussels.

In addition to the structure of the EU, the book also dives into some core legal principles, like direct applicability and direct effect of EU law. These principles are huge because they determine how EU law interacts with the laws of member states. Kaczorowska explains these concepts in a way that’s easy to follow, helping readers understand how EU regulations and decisions can affect people and businesses directly.

One of the most important concepts in EU law, supremacy, is also covered. This principle says that EU law takes precedence over national law when there’s a conflict, and it’s essential for understanding how the legal system works across all member states. Kaczorowska explains how this works in practice and what it means for legal cases involving EU law.

As the book moves on, Kaczorowska looks at how the EU enforces its rules, both through actions against member states that break the rules and direct actions that individuals or organizations can take against EU institutions. These sections are especially useful for anyone working in EU law enforcement or litigation.

The book also covers key areas like the EU internal market, customs union, competition law, and intellectual property rights, all of which are vital for legal professionals working in these fields. Kaczorowska explains how the EU’s internal market works, focusing on the free movement of goods, workers, and services. She also discusses EU rules around competition, including how companies are regulated to ensure fair practices across the Union.

Finally, the book looks at EU citizenship and the right to establishment, which are crucial rights for individuals living and working within the EU. Kaczorowska does a great job of explaining how these rights work in practice and the exceptions to them, which can sometimes be a bit tricky.

In short, Kaczorowska’s European Union Law is a fantastic resource that combines clear explanations with in-depth coverage of all the key areas of EU law. Whether you’re studying for exams, working in EU law, or just want to understand how the European Union operates, this book is a must-read. It’s detailed, but not overwhelming, and gives you all the tools you need to understand EU law inside and out.