Book Launch

The Centre of European Law at The Dickson Poon School of Law hosted a panel discussion on Freedom Security and Justice in the EU in March to celebrate the publication of EU Security and Justice Law: After Lisbon and Stockholm. The book was edited by Dr Cian Murphy of the School in collaboration with Dr Diego Acosta Arcarazo of the University of Bristol and a graduate of the School's doctoral programme.

Following a welcome from Dr Acosta Arcarazo the panel discussion saw Professor StevePeers (Essex), Dr OrlaLynskey (LSE) and Ms Jodie Blackstock (Justice) discuss with Dr Murphy current developments in EU data surveillance law, criminal justice and immigration co-operation, and the UK's opt-out in these fields. The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights was a recurring topic of discussion with its impact on litigation a point of debate. 

Dr Murphy notes that 'The coming into force of the Lisbon Treaty gave full legal effect to the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the effect of this is being felt in litigation including the NS case on asylum law in Europe as well as the Digital Rights Ireland case on data surveillance. We hope that in this collection we can go some way towards improving our understanding of the developing law.'

The School also took the opportunity to celebrate the career of Mr Richard Hart of Hart Publishing, who has published four of Dr Murphy's books, as well as the King's Law Journal, and is an Honorary Life Member of the King's Graduate Legal Research Society. Mr Hart is now retiring with Hart Publishing becoming an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing plc. Dr Murphy thanked Mr Hart for his support of the School and the Dean, Professor David D. Caron, made a presentation to Mr Hart on behalf of the faculty.

At a reception after the panel discussion the Dean and Mr Hart both paid tribute to the editors and the authors of the collection noting the important work done to chronicle and critique EU law in this challenging field. 

The launch celebration forms part of the CEL 40 series of events to mark the Centre of European Law's 40th year.

See a selection of photographs from the event on the School Flickr account

The opening chapter of the book is available on the Social Science Research Network