Teaching Law in Europe: From an Intra-Systemic, Via a Trans-Systemic to a Supra-Systemic Approach

Abstract

A law curriculum completely devoted to the study of comparative and European law should no longer be looked at with admiration by those who favour the education of European (and no longer: purely national) lawyers or, as the case may be, with suspicion by those who feel themselves threatened by foreign (non-national) influences out of their control. If such a programme combines intra-systemic, trans-systemic and supra-systemic legal teaching it will prepare students for a legal practice which will only become more complex, given the increasing economic (and the resulting legal) integration. Such a practice may be local or international, but in both cases the comparative and European study of law will be a conditio sine qua non for becoming a reliable lawyer.

Keywords: Legal Education, Teaching Comparative Law, European Law School, Property Law, Trans-Systemic Legal Teaching