This article introduces a research project entitled 'Ius Commune Casebooks for the Common Law of Europe'. After a short historical overview and progress report, it deals with some practical lessons drawn from the preparation of the casebooks, in particular the first volume, regarding the selection of materials, space constraints and language. Finally, it surveys the theoretical underpinnings of the Project, namely the emergence of a common law of Europe through a bottom-up process, the functionalist approach to comparative law, the distinction between language and the law as well as the focus on underlying principles instead of black-letter law in the course of legal teaching.
European Review of Private Law