Michael specialises in EU Law, particularly EU constitutional law, the Single Market and EU welfare law.
His work on the EU constitution and institutions covers processes of constitutional reform as well as the relationship between Union law and the national legal systems. He has published widely on the EU's constitutional framework after the Lisbon Treaty, on the principle of direct effect of Union law in national courts, and on the enforcement of Union law.
Michael has also written extensively on single market law, especially the free movement of goods, persons and services, and processes of harmonisation of Member State laws.
In the field of EU welfare law, Michael's research has focused on the interaction between free movement rights and social security entitlement and the impact of EU citizenship in this area. Michael looks in particular at the role played by the Court of Justice in shaping and delimiting citizenship and fundamental rights.
Together with other members of the Liverpool European Law Unit, Michael's research has contributed to wider public and political debates about European law. For example, Michael has provided written and oral evidence to a range of Parliamentary committees and enquiries; and acted as an external advisor to various Government departments and EU institutions on important developments - such as the enactment of the European Union Act 2011, the Review of the Balance of Competences Between the UK and the EU, and efforts to resolve the Eurozone crisis.
Michael is Joint Editor of the Common Market Law Review - the world's leading journal for European legal studies.
Are 60% of UK laws really imposed by the EU?
Apr 27, 2016 21:38 pm UTC| Insights & Views Law
Today it is a tragedy that the European Union that body long ago established with the high and noble motive of making another war impossible is itself beginning to stifle democracy, in this country and around Europe. If...
Gove’s vision for the UK out of the EU: welcome to Vote Leave's parallel universe
Apr 21, 2016 06:48 am UTC| Insights & Views Economy
Vote Leave has finally set out their plan for the UKs future trading relationship with the EU, in the event of a vote to leave the Union in the forthcoming referendum. Justice secretary Michael Gove claims that Britain can...
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