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In Search of a Theory of State Liability in the European Union

Ian B. Lee ^*1

• Abstract
• Introduction
• I. Damages in the Positive Law of the European Union
  • A. In the Community Courts
    • 1. Articles 169-71
    • 2. Article 215
  • B. In the National Courts
    • 1. Before Francovich
    • 2. Francovich
    • 3. Brasserie du Pêcheur, Factortame III and Subsequent Cases
• II. Conceptualizing State Liability in the European Union
  • A. Essential Features of Member State Liability
  • B. Familiar Doctrines of State Liability
  • C. EU Member State Liability as Constitutional Tort Liability
• III. Theories of Justice and State Liability
  • A. An Economic Theory: Externalities
    • 1. Efficiency as Justice
    • 2. Basic Argument
    • 3. Application to State Liability Generally
      • (a) Government Is a Social-Welfare-Maximizer
      • (b) Liability Does Not Influence Governmental Conduct
    • 4. Application to EU Member State Liability
  • B. A Non-Instrumental Theory: Corrective Justice
    • 1. Basic Argument
    • 2. Application to State Liability Generally
    • 3. Application to EU Member State Liability
  • C. A Note on Distributive Justice
  • D. Overall Assessment of the Theories
• IV. The Framework Revisited: The Nature of "Rights" in the European Union
  
• Conclusion
• Appendix A - Select Bibliography
  • Selected Articles on Francovich
  • Selected Books and Articles on Constitutional Torts
• Appendix B - Articles 169 to 171 of the Treaty of Rome

1 ^* LL.M., Harvard Law School; Associate, Sullivan & Cromwell, Paris.

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© Ian B. Lee 1999