A uniquely important contribution to the debate on EC State aid, this

book captures the direct knowledge and experience of twenty-six current and

former Commission State aid litigators, offering detailed and#8216;insiderand#8217; analysis

of EC State aid court cases, as well as related internal legal issues, between

1994 and 2008. The book brings together both legal and economic analysis, with

detailed reflections on aspects of both substantive legal rules and procedural

law. It also offers, over and above the specific interest of the contributions

it contains, invaluable insights into the working methods of the Commission

Legal Service.

This collaborative work was conceived and realized by its authors as a mark of

recognition, and a gesture of respect and friendship, for Francisco

Santaolalla, on the occasion of his retirement from the Commission after

fourteen yearsand#8217; service as Director of the State aid team.

Among the many legal and economic forces affecting State aid litigation, the

authors focus on such factors as the following: ;

• 
  
  exports;
  
  



• 
  
  private investment;
  
  



• 
  
  role of economic analysis;
  
  



• 
  
  ecotaxes;
  
  



• 
  
  privatization;
  
  



• 
  
  remedies;
  
  



• 
  
  existing aid;
  
  



• 
  
  third parties;
  
  



• 
  
  actions against State aid decisions;
  
  



• 
  
  national court decisions;
  
  



• 
  
  fiscal discipline; and
  
  



• 
  
  WTO subsidies law.
  
  

In illuminating the underlying issues, and describing how they are handled by

the Commission Legal Service, the authors shed light on the likely future

development of State aid law. The book will be of particular interest to

antitrust practitioners as well as academics.