The Association

Law and Economics (L&E), also known as the Economic Analysis of Law, is one of the most rapidly growing fields in legal and economic research.

This approach applies economic concepts to explain and clarify legal issues, not only with respect to narrowly defined ‘economic’ fields, such as competition and economic law, but also to legal fields that concern a wide variety of non-market activities, from liability issues to family matters and crime. Thus, Law and Economics has become a central methodology for both positive and normative legal analysis, having already influenced regulation, legislation, and case law. Many academic journals publish articles in the field. Law and Economics has also become an integral part of legal and economic education at the most prestigious universities.

European Association of Law and Economics (EALE) is an institutional response to the increasing importance of economic analysis of law in Europe. Founded in 1984, the Association stimulates the development of Law and Economics in Europe, providing assistance to law-and-economics scholars and bringing their scholarship to a wider audience, including policy makers, legislators and judges. The EALE annual conference has become an important forum for the exchange of research findings and ideas. The Association also arranges seminars jointly with other international organizations, as well as local activities in different countries.