The law of state aid in the European Union

Abstract:

The level playing field is a metaphor that arises from a nation whose national sports are cricket and football. It may not have the same relevance in a country whose national sport is skiing! However the European Union is intensely earnest in its pursuit of fair competition and often the question of state aid can be the cause of imbalance.

This book analyses the concept of aid and examines fundamental questions concerning the scope of state aid law. It explores such areas as state aid to undertakings providing services of a general economic interest, state aid as an obstacle to trade and state aid in Poland, one of the new Member States of the EU. The second part of the book looks at selected areas of state aid such as the airline sector and public service broadcasting It also examines the role of general taxation in providing state aid and raises the question of tax harmonisation to counter such national policies. The final part concentrates upon the system of remedies and enforcement at both EU and national level.

The work will interest scholars, students, policy makers and practitioners in competition law, European Union studies, and international trade.

Andrea Biondi is Senior Lecturer in Law and Co-Director of the Centre of European Law at King's College London. Piet Eeckhout is Professor of European Law and Director of the Centre of European Law, King's College London. James Flynn QC is a Barrister practising from Brick Court Chambers, London and Brussels.