As European lawyers dealing with cross-border issues quickly learn, the terms contract, contrat, and contratto signify three very different legal concepts. This illustration highlights the importance of studying the relationships between language and law, particularly in the context of strong pressure from the European Community to harmonise the laws of the Member States a process which appears difficult, if not impossible, unless there is an understanding of the profound differences which exist between the various legal systems, and the development of a common European legal language from...

Since the early eighties the so-called 'Seveso Directives' have provided a legal framework of reference for rules governing major accident hazards in Europe, based on the essential principles of preventive action, public participation, and public information, as well as on the precautionary principle. As competent authorities in each Member State must follow stringent reporting requirements to the European Commission, it has become clear that, although enormous progress has been made, significant difficulties persist in reaching the safety goals of the directives. This highly informative book...