Michele Colucci

When we speak of "legal language", we refer to a mode of communication that works hard to convey a degree of precision that clearly establishes the extent and limits of rights and obligations between parties. This endeavour must strive to overcome numerous obstacles - notably societal context and ideology - that are ineluctably present in language itself. And when legal bonds apply internationally, problems of translation add yet another and more complex dimension. It can be said that these problems of language and meaning particularly affect the application of labour law and social security law, as these legal regimes colour the day-to-day lives and livelihoods of virtually everybody. This volume assumes the monumental task of codifying the terminology of European labour law and social security law in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian. The initial classification follows the 15 European legislative acts that cover the field. For each of these acts, all the terms and notions are listed (in alphabetical English order) with their definitions as provided in the legislation itself and the interpretations given to them in the case law of the European Court of Justice - all in five languages. In this way, the full spectrum of potential misunderstanding and contradiction is exposed, and all relevant subtleties come into clear focus. This efficient aggregate of vital material gives both practitioner and academic the means to make as complete a judgement as possible concerning the application of European labour law and social security law in any context.

The regulatory architecture available for cyberspace law still seems incapable of conceiving, much less resolving, the new issues of privacy raised by the use of the Internet in the workplace. This analysis of the thorny problems in this area of the law attempts to clarify the nature of the conflicts and disputes that arise and that are likely to continue to arise. It is a detailed comparative treatment of the subject, analysing the relevant law both at the international level and in six major national jurisdictions. The author first examines the international jurisdictional problems related to the Internet and new technologies. Starting from an economic analysis of the law of cyberspace, the author demonstrates that the problem of conflicting legal rules may be solved by adopting new laws, regulations and guidelines governing the Internet. The second part explores the ways in which the Internet and the introduction of new information technologies has dramatically affected the world of work and individual rights. The author analyses the origins, limits and boundaries of these rights, and makes a comparative analysis of the relevant constitutions and statutes in both common law and civil law. Finally, an examination of the legal systems of the USA, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan, and of their responses to the new Internet-related issues, enable the author to propose effective ways to achieve a better balance between the employee's right to privacy and the responsibilities of the employer in the new electronic environment.

This is a study of the institutional changes which the Treaty of Amsterdam brought to the European structure, on the one hand, and the provisions regarding social policy and employment which are contained in the new chapters of the Treaty, on the other hand. Four of the five contributions focus on the social policy of the European Union and the European Community. It was essential to include a chapter regarding the institutional changes which have occurred as the social provisions in the Treaty are carried out via institutional structures, as are other aspects of European policy. This book concludes with an index and several annexes, including the consolidated version of the treaties establishing the European Union and the European Community, and the presidency conclusions of the Council Summit meetings at Amsterdam and Luxembourg regarding social policy and employment.