State Aid Uncovered is now in its sixth volume, bringing analysis of the main developments in the field of State aid in 2018. The year was rich in case law that expanded our understanding of State aid, brought fresh insights and also a few surprises, expertly explained here by Phedon Nicolaides, Professor at the University of Maastricht and College of Europe in Bruges, as well as Academic Director at Lexxion Training.
Prof. Nicolaides identifies the major State aid judgments and Decisionsof the year, as well as new rules and legislation, critically analysing their most salient features. Among them are the perennial issue of distinguishing economic and non-economic activities, public authorities claiming to be acting as private investors, the evolution of the concept of selectivity, and (in)compatibility with the internal market. This book compiles articles originally published weekly on Lexxion’s StateAidHub.eu. The articles are edited and conveniently grouped into chapters covering the main aspects of the concept of State aid such as “Advantage”, “Tax Measures”, “Services of General Economic Interest”, as well as procedural issues, new versus existing aid and the role of national courts. Each article presents the main points of a court ruling or Commission Decision, places them in the context of similar case law or practice, assesses the underlying reasoning, and identifies any inconsistencies or contradictions.