This book determines the extent to which, through the performance of (indirect) normative functions and the application of principles of good governance as assessment standards, the ombudsman institution can contribute to improving the legal quality of the government while enhancing the legitimacy of the administration and the democratic system as a whole.

In recent decades, the liability of public authorities has been one of the main areas of development in tort law in Europe, with major reforms implemented or considered at a national level, and a steady stream of major court decisions. During the same period, ‘Member State liability’ has also been recognised in the law of the EU, and the interplay of principles of national and EU law – and additionally the ‘just satisfaction’ jurisprudence of ...

Regional integration systems are becoming increasingly important. This book analyses how regional integration systems all over the world might be able to act as defenders or promoters of democracy, rule of law and the respect for human rights among their members.

Although the protection of individuals’ interests against administrative actions is still primarily the domain of the judiciary, most legal systems nowadays also assign this task to ombudsmen. This can potentially lead to conflicts between the two institutions and can affect their relations, and therefore needs coordination.

Constitutional review is a hot topic in contemporary constitutional debate and design. However, the legal force of judicial decisions, and in particular their effect in time, is an under-studied issue in the literature.

Is it necessary and just that parliamentarians are immune from legal action? If so, to what extent is such immunity justified and which purpose does it serve? These questions touch the very core of constitutional law. This book contains a comprehensive study of parliamentary immunity in the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands.

This book offers a unique overview of the main legal systems of administrative sanctions with thorough analyses of the administrative law sanctioning systems in 13 Member States and the European Union. The focus is on both remedial and deterrent sanctions in administrative law.

‘National constitutional identity’ has become the new ‘buzz word’ in European constitutionalism over the past few years. Much has been written about the concept. This collection brings together a series of contributions from the perspective of both scholars and judges in order to shed some light over the dark corners of constitutional identity. To this end a threefold approach has been followed: a conceptual or philosophical approach, an appro...

In recent years the European Convention on Human Rights gained unexpected relevance in the European constitutional culture. On the one hand its increasing importance is closely linked to institutional reforms that strengthened the European Court of Human Rights’ reputation vis-à-vis the Member States. On the other hand, and even more importantly, the ECHR’s significance arises from a changing perception of its constitutional potential. This vo...