About the Institute of European Law

An institute devoted to the study of the EU and its laws may appear an anomaly in a 'Brexit world'. But, on reflection, this is not true.

Photo of the European Court of Justice, Luxembourg

The EU is the most advanced and ambitious experiment of integration of different countries to face goals that would otherwise be very difficult, if not impossible, to achieve. The best example is probably the creation of a common economic area where all factors of production can freely move, where trade and competition can take place frictionless. The internal market is a unique achievement. None of the 300 or more trade agreements currently in force worldwide even remotely aims or manages to do that. The EU is the ideal platform to tackle common challenges like environmental degradation and climate change, migration, security and the fight of terrorism. Ultimately, with all the richness of its diversity, the EU is a community of countries that share a common history, common values and aspirations. It is a community based on the rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights.

The UK has been a key participant in this enterprise since 1973. It has greatly contributed to shaping it (the internal market was for example spearheaded by Margaret Thatcher) and, at the same time, has undoubtedly benefited from being at the core of a crucial market and influential union of 500 millions of citizens. Even if Brexit eventually takes place, the EU will maintain its central role in European and global affairs and, without doubt, it will continue to exercise a significant influence on the UK. The economic, political and legal power of attraction of this union will always be great. 45 years of core membership cannot be disposed of so easily.

It is this uniqueness that justified the creation of the Institute of European Law, as one of the pioneering centers for the study of EU law in the UK and worldwide, in 1989. Decade after decade world renowned scholars have been affiliated with the institute, producing influential and impactful research. For the same reasons, which still stand, the Institute will continue to study the EU and its laws for many years to come.



Director: Professor Martin Trybus

Secretary: 

Email: IEL@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Postal Address:

The Institute of European Law
Birmingham Law School
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
United Kingdom


Photography on this page and some others, including the home page, ©  European Union, 2015