Module
A Changing European Legal Landscape
Since the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty, the European Union has progressively built a comprehensive system of private international law (PIL) aimed at managing cross-border civil and commercial matters. Through a series of regulations governing jurisdiction, applicable law, and the recognition and enforcement of decisions, the EU has shaped an integrated legal framework covering civil and commercial obligations, international civil procedure, insolvency, family law, and succession.
Although extensive, this framework coexists with international conventions and national rules, and it increasingly interacts with other EU instruments touching on fundamental rights and access to justice.
Where EU PIL Meets Human Rights
Long regarded as technical and neutral, PIL has revealed its deeply human dimension. Rules determining jurisdiction, applicable law, or the circulation of judgments can significantly affect access to justice, equality, family life, property rights, and procedural fairness.
The case-law of the Court of Justice of the European Union and of the European Court of Human Rights clearly shows how PIL mechanisms may either enhance or hinder the protection of fundamental rights. This evolving jurisprudence has prompted a renewed focus on the compatibility of EU PIL rules with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights.
Against this backdrop, Project HERO aims to ensure that future legal professionals understand how cross-border private law issues intertwine with human rights protection in the daily life of EU citizens and residents.
Educational Vision and Objectives
Project HERO has a dual mission: to strengthen university education in EU PIL and human rights, and to promote broader awareness among practitioners and the general public.
Enhancing Students’ Legal Understanding
Through a structured combination of lectures and workshops, students gain a comprehensive overview of EU PIL and the multilevel system of human rights protection. They develop the ability to interpret legal sources, analyse case-law, and understand the practical consequences of cross-border disputes for individual rights.
Fostering Wider Dissemination
Project HERO promotes dialogue beyond the classroom. Public seminars with national and international experts will contribute to spreading knowledge on how EU PIL rules shape the protection of human rights in Europe.
Knowledge Sharing
An online repository, available at this website, accompanies Project HERO by collecting significant case-law from the European Court of Justice and Italian courts, reporting on activities, and making materials and updates publicly available. This online platform serves as a hub for students, academics, and professionals interested in the evolving interaction between EU PIL and human rights. Project HERO also supports the publication of a contributed book featuring analyses by leading scholars and practitioners. The volume will stimulate further debate and provide a reference tool for those working on cross-border legal issues involving fundamental rights.
