General Principles of EU Law and the Protection of Fundamental Rights

Chiara Amalfitano, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy

This insightful book analyses the role that EU general principles have taken in the protection of fundamental rights within the EU since the Lisbon Treaty. In particular, the author focuses on the relationship between written law (the Charter of Fundamental Rights) and unwritten law (the general principles) within the institutional framework of the EU. The book demonstrates that due to their complementary and autonomous function toward the protection of fundamental rights, the general principles still play a key role within the Union despite the binding force of the Charter.

‘The book is especially useful for those studying EU law and wishing to demystify the curious case of the “multilevel” EU fundamental rights law and its various sources. The book offers an insight into an overlooked aspect of EU fundamental rights law and is worth reading for those interested in the field of EU constitutional law and human rights.’
– Ermioni Xanthopoulou, Common Market Law Review

‘Chiara Amalfitano offers a comprehensive and original examination of the Court of Justice’s voluminous case law in the field of fundamental rights during the post Lisbon Treaty era. It must be particularly commended for its stimulating reading of the rapidly adapting, if not evolving, role of general principles concerning fundamental rights, since the entry into force of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.’
– Laurent Pech, Middlesex University London, UK