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“The Economic Constitution” receives prestigious accolade as Inner Temple Main Book Prize runner up

12 October 2015

A book, written by Tony Prosser, Professor of Public Law at the University of Bristol Law School, has been announced as runner up in the Inner Temple Main Book Prize 2015. The prize attracts entries from every part of the globe and is one of the highest honours to which that legal authors can aspire.

“The Economic Constitution” receives prestigious accolade as Inner Temple Main Book Prize runner up

In “The Economic Constitution” Prosser sets out different meanings of an economic constitution and applies them to key areas of economic management in the UK. He critically assesses the degree to which there is coherence in the arrangements for economic management, the degree to which economic policy-making is constrained by constitutional norms, and the degree to which economic management is subject to deliberation and accountability through Parliament, the courts and other institutions.  

“There has been little analysis of the constitutional framework for management of the UK economy. This is in contrast to many other countries where the concept of an 'economic constitution' is well established - as it is in the law of the European Union. Given the extensive role of the state in attempting to resolve recent financial crises in the UK and elsewhere in Europe, it is particularly important to develop such an analysis,” commented Prosser. 

The development of the book was an unusually ambitious piece of work which was executed to the highest standards of scholarship. Since its publication it has been the focus of extensive comment, and been described as “a highly original and significant book" by Colin Scott of the Modern Law Review, with Mike Dowdle from Public Law indicating “its implications are ground-breaking.” 

The Economic Constitution:

  • Adds to the literature on the constitution through examination of an area previously little analysed in constitutional terms
  • Offers a comparative perspective between the UK, continental Europe and USA
  • Provides up-to-date coverage of major constitutional changes, for example responses to economic crises since 2008, including at the European level

The book can be purchased through Oxford University Press.

About The Inner Temple 2015 Book Prize

The Inner Temple promoted the 2015 Book Prize to coincide with the 800th Anniversary of the Sealing of Magna Carta. It is intended to be an integral part of the legal world’s commemorative celebrations. The two billion people in the world today live in common law jurisdictions, and they are the Charter’s direct heirs. Every modern constitution and statement of civil liberties has adopted its contents.

These ancient principles of law have been enriched and enlivened over the centuries by outstanding scholarship, research and teaching. Today, these Prizes attract entries from every part of the globe and it has already become one of the highest honours to which legal authors can aspire.

Further information on the Inner Temple Book Prize can be found on its website.

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