In Conversation with Eleanor Sharpston
A Life, A Journey
Will be published approx. on 20. August 2026
Book
Hardback
320 pages
978-1-5099-9232-4 (ISBN)
Description
What was behind a legal life lived in the spotlight? In this extended conversation between Professor Adam Lazowski and Dame Eleanor Sharpston KC, one of the most important European lawyers of her generation, two friends lift the curtain on what was happening backstage.
Over nine chapters, they discuss Eleanor's early life, her university years, and her parallel career at the Bar and in academe. They move on to consider her leading cases in the English courts, which included Brown and Others (Operation Spanner) and the Metric Martyr, before laying out a thoughtful insider's assessment of her time on the Bench at the Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxembourg. The closing chapter of the book is dedicated to current events, including the rule of law crisis and the future of European integration. A candid, illuminating and often amusing discussion with a transformative European lawyer.
Over nine chapters, they discuss Eleanor's early life, her university years, and her parallel career at the Bar and in academe. They move on to consider her leading cases in the English courts, which included Brown and Others (Operation Spanner) and the Metric Martyr, before laying out a thoughtful insider's assessment of her time on the Bench at the Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxembourg. The closing chapter of the book is dedicated to current events, including the rule of law crisis and the future of European integration. A candid, illuminating and often amusing discussion with a transformative European lawyer.
Reviews / Votes
Both the lay and legal public will be absorbed by this frank and amusing depiction of the influences which shaped the life and thinking of an outstandingly civilised and endearing European polymath. * Sir Konrad Schiemann (former judge of the Court of Justice of the European Union) * Always wondered who is hiding behind AG Sharpston? This book will help you to discover the answer. It will take you on a fascinating journey, a journey showing many dimensions of the legal profession, giving insights into the functioning of the English Bar, the Court of Justice of the EU and a cabinet of an AG, providing fresh perspectives on many cases by telling the story behind them and make you encounter many colourful characters. It will also take you beyond the law, into recent history, music, and sports. Engaging, serious and playful at the same time, the book is full of Sharp(ston) observations, and above all, deeply human. * Professor Sacha Prechal (former judge of the Court of Justice of the European Union) * Lawyers come in all different shapes and sizes but the life of Leo Sharpston is really rather remarkable. As told to Adam Lazowski, it's a story of virtuosity, talent and remarkable achievement. * Professor Catherine Barnard, University of Cambridge, UK *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Laminated cover
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
454 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5099-9232-4 (9781509992324)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Adam Lazowski is Professor of EU Law at the University of Westminster, UK.
Dame Eleanor Sharpston, KC is Barrister and Former Advocate General at the Court of Justice of the European Union, Luxembourg.
Dame Eleanor Sharpston, KC is Barrister and Former Advocate General at the Court of Justice of the European Union, Luxembourg.
Content
Foreword
1. The Making of Leo
2. At the Bar and at the Court of Justice: The Early Years
3. Return to the Bar: The Big Cases and Other Pro-Bono Work
4. All Roads Lead Back to Luxembourg
5. Advocate General Sharpston
6. The Court on the Kirchberg Plateau
7. The Academic
8. "And" Instead of "Or" - a Polymath
9. The Challenges and Future of European Integration
Epilogue
1. The Making of Leo
2. At the Bar and at the Court of Justice: The Early Years
3. Return to the Bar: The Big Cases and Other Pro-Bono Work
4. All Roads Lead Back to Luxembourg
5. Advocate General Sharpston
6. The Court on the Kirchberg Plateau
7. The Academic
8. "And" Instead of "Or" - a Polymath
9. The Challenges and Future of European Integration
Epilogue