Civil Society in Europe

The regulation of civil society provides the framework under which those organisations can most effectively provide services in education, health, social services, housing, development aid and so on. Civil Society in Europe identifies common principles of civil society law in two ways. First, the approaches of the Council of Europe and the European Union are explored. Next, civil society regulation in twelve domestic legal systems are investigated on a broad range of substantive areas of law including internal organisation, registration, external supervision, public benefit organisations and international activities. From these, the authors distill a set of minimum norms and optimal conditions under which civil society can deliver its aims most effectively. This book is essential reading for policymakers and legislators across Europe and beyond.

Tymen J. van der Ploeg was Professor of Law at Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam from 1992 until 2012. His research focuses on the relations of NGOs with governments, from a national and comparative perspective. Wino J. M. van Veen is Professor of Law at Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam where he teaches law on partnerships, corporate law and law on non-profit organisations. His research areas include European law, corporate law, partnership law and comparative non-profit law, with a special interest in self-regulation. Cornelia R. M. Versteegh is a solicitor and part-time judge at the Civil Court of Amsterdam, and also teaches at Universiteit van Amsterdam. Her research focuses inter alia on European civil society law, European human rights law and terrorism.