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Professor Caoimhin Mac Maolain
Professor, Law
Head of School, School Office - Law

Biography

Caoimhín MacMaoláin, B.C.L., LL.M., Ph.D., joined the law school in 2005 having previously held a Jean Monnet Chair in EU Law at Exeter University. He teaches modules in European Union Law, International Trade Law and Food Law. He is also the Director of the LLM Dissertation Programme. Caoimhín has published extensively in the areas of EU Law and Food Law. He has published three books with Hart Publishing, as well as many book chapters in edited collections and articles in the leading international journals in his field, including the European Law Review, the Common Market Law Review and European Public Law. Caoimhín welcomes applications for postgraduate research (PhD or MLitt) in the areas of European Union Law, EU Substantive Law and International and EU Food Law.

Publications and Further Research Outputs

Peer-Reviewed Publications

The law on geographical indications and traditional food names: Protecting local and regional interests in a global arena in, editor(s)I M Nick , Names, Naming and the Law: Onomastics, Identity, Power and Policy, Routledge, 2024, pp123 - 140, [Caoimhín MacMaoláin] Book Chapter, 2024 URL

Using the law to enhance the welfare of food-producing animals: recognising sentience, raising standards in, editor(s)M Roberts , Research Handbook on International Food Law, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2023, pp515 - 534, [Caoimhín MacMaoláin] Book Chapter, 2023 URL

Caoimhín MacMaoláin, Early Lessons from the EU/UK Brexit Negotiations: Implications for Ireland, European Public Law, 27, (4), 2021, p629 - 652 Journal Article, 2021 URL

Using food labelling laws to combat childhood obesity: Lessons from the EU, the WTO and Codex in, editor(s)A Garde, J Curtis, O De Schutter, Elgar Studies in Health and the Law , Ending Childhood Obesity: A Callenge at the Crossroads of International Economic and Human Rights Law, Cheltenham, UK, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2020, pp138 - 160, [Caoimhin MacMaolain] Book Chapter, 2020 DOI

Caoimhín MacMaoláin, An Unhealthy State: Using Legislation to Address Public Health Issues in Ireland, European Public Law, 2019, p487 - 502 Journal Article, 2019 URL

Caoimhín MacMaoláin, Irish Food Law, 1, Oxford, Hart Publishing, 2019, 1 - 400pp Book, 2019 URL

Protecting Chronic Migraine Sufferers in their Employment: The Role for Law in, editor(s)Dr Marie Murray , Migraine, Dublin, Currach Press, 2016, pp115 - 125, [Caoimhín MacMaoláin] Book Chapter, 2016

C MacMaoláin, Food Law: European, Domestic and International Frameworks, 1, Oxford, Hart Bloomsbury, 2015, 345pp Book, 2015 URL

C MacMaoláin, Using European Union legislation to increase international trade: the potential for public bodies in Ireland to make more of product quality schemes, European Public Law, 21, 2015, p215 - 230 Journal Article, 2015 URL

Food labelling requirements in EU Law: Creating the right package of measures to achieve the aims of CAP 2020 in, editor(s)McMahon and Cardwell , Research Handbook on the Common Agricultural Policy, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2015, pp269 - 284, [C MacMaoláin] Book Chapter, 2015 DOI

Regulating consumer information: Use of food labelling and mandatory disclosures to encourage healthier lifestyles in, editor(s)Alemanno and Garde , Regulating lifestyle risks in Europe: The EU, Alcohol, Tobacco and Unhealthy Diets, UK, Cambridge University Press, 2015, pp46 - 68, [C MacMaolain] Book Chapter, 2015 URL

C MacMaolain, Food Information Regulation: Failing to address ongoing concerns about obesity, Irish Journal of European Law, 17, (1), 2014, p77 - 87 Journal Article, 2014

EFSA the respondent: The role of the Court in ensuring accountability for action and transparency in procedures in, editor(s)Alemanno and Gabbi , Foundations of EU Food Law and Policy: Ten years of the European Food safety Authority, UK and USA, Ashgate, 2014, pp221 - 235, [C MacMaolain] Book Chapter, 2014 URL

C MacMaolain, Limiting the ability of Member States to create conditions for the application of EU Law: The decisions in Dominguez and Salemink , Employment Law Review, 8, 2012 Journal Article, 2012

MacMaolain, Using EU Law and Policy to Create Jobs and Stimulate Growth in Ireland, Employment Law Review, (1), 2011, p27 - 34 Journal Article, 2011

C MacMaolain, Protecting adequate annual leave entitlements under European Union Employment Law: The decisions in Schulte and Williams, Employment Law Review, 7, 2011, p85 - 89 Journal Article, 2011

Securing Safety, Controlling Crises: Development and Misapplication of Food Law in the European Union in, editor(s)Antoniadis, Schutze, Spaventa , The European Union and Global Emergencies: A Law and Policy Analysis, Oxford, Hart Publishing, 2011, pp193 - 205, [MacMaolain] Book Chapter, 2011 URL

MacMaolain, Ramifications of the EU/IMF Loan to Ireland for the Financial Services Sector and for Irish Law and Society, European Public Law, 17, (3), 2011, p387 - 399 Journal Article, 2011 URL

MacMaolain, Placing limitations on acceptable acts of ageism: The significance of the decision in Andersen, Employment Law Review, 2010, p69 - 74 Journal Article, 2010

MacMaolain, Clarifying pay entitlements during maternity leave: The decisions in Gassmayr and Parviainen, Employment Law Review, 2, 2010, p84 - 88 Journal Article, 2010

MacMaolain, Compensating for employment training costs: Olympique Lyonnais Sasp v Olivier Bernard and Newcastle United FC, Employment Law Review, 2010, p62 - 67 Journal Article, 2010

MacMaoláin, C, Out with the old: Court of Justice seeks to clarify when dismissal based on age may be legitimate, Employment Law Review, 1, (1), 2009, p62 - 67 Journal Article, 2009

MacMaoláin, C, Access to legal traineeships in other Member States: significance of the decision in Pesla, Employment Law Review, 1, (3), 2009, p234 - 237 Journal Article, 2009

MacMaoláin, C, Difficult derogations, non-standardisation and the phantom 'rule of reason': the negative impact of free movement law and policy on the quality and nutritional value of food in the EU, European Journal of Consumer Law, 2009, (1), 2009, p125 - 147 Journal Article, 2009

MacMaoláin, C, Engaging employees in collective redundancy negotiations: the recent decision in Akavan v Fujitsu, Employment Law Review, 1, (2), 2009, p140 - 145 Journal Article, 2009

MacMaoláin, C, Food Safety Regulation in Europe, Review of Intersentia: Antwerpen-Oxford, 2006, by Vos and wendler (Eds.) , Maastricht Journal of European and Comparative Law, 15, (3), 2008, p427-429 Review, 2008

MacMaoláin, C, The General Principles of EU Law., Review of Oxford University Press: Oxford, 2006, by Tridimas , European Public Law, 14, (1), 2008, p1-4 Review, 2008

MacMaoláin, C, Waiter! There's a beetle in my soup. Yes sir, that's E120: Disparities between actual individual behaviour and regulating food labelling for the average consumer in EU Law, Common Market Law Review, 45, (4), 2008, p1147 - 1165 Journal Article, 2008 URL

MacMaoláin, C, The Future Control of Food: A guide to International Negotiations and Rules on Intellectual Property, Biodiversity and Food Security., Review of Earthscan: London, 2008, by Tansey and Rajotte (Eds.) , European Journal of International Law, 19, (5), 2008, p1118-1120 Review, 2008

MacMaoláin C, EU Food Law: Protecting Consumers and Health in a Common Market, 1, Oxford, Hart Publishing, 2007, 1 - 320pp Book, 2007 URL

MacMaoláin, Review of Human Rights and International Trade, by Cottier, Pauwelyn and Burgi , Common Market Law Review, 44, (4), 2007, p525-528 Review, 2007

MacMaoláin, C, Eligibility criteria for protected geographical food names, European Law Review, 31, (4), 2006, p576 - 588 Journal Article, 2006

MacMaoláin C, Review of International Food Security and Global Legal Pluralism - Sécurité Alimentaire Internationale et Pluralisme Juridique Mondial, by Snyder , European Law Review, 30, (5), 2005, p596-598 Review, 2005

MacMaoláin C, Review of Toxics and Transnational Law: International and European Regulation of Toxic Substances as Legal Symbolism, by Pallemaerts , Common Market Law Review, 41, (6), 2004, p1173-1176 Review, 2004

MacMaoláin C, Reforming European Community Food Law: putting quality back on the agenda, Food and Drug Law Journal, 58, (4), 2003, p549 - 565 Journal Article, 2003

MacMaoláin C, Using the precautionary principle to protect human health, European Law Review, 28, (5), 2003, p723 - 734 Journal Article, 2003

MacMaoláin C, The new genetically modified food labelling requirements: finally a lasting solution?, European Law Review, 28, (6), 2003, p865 - 879 Journal Article, 2003

MacMaoláin C, Ethical food labelling: the role of European Union freetrade in facilitating international fairtrade, Common Market Law Review, 39, (2), 2002, p295 - 314 Journal Article, 2002 URL

MacMaoláin C, Free movement of foodstuffs, quality requirements and consumer protection: have the Court and the Commission both got it wrong?, European Law Review, 26, (5), 2001, p413 - 428 Journal Article, 2001

Non-Peer-Reviewed Publications

Caoimhín MacMaoláin, Development of Irish laws on alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages, Food Governance, Sydney, Australia, 3-5 July 2019, 2019 Conference Paper, 2019

Caoimhín MacMaoláin, Innovations of the revised EU rules on food safety and their implications for public consultation, Science, Transparency and Independence: The revised rules on EU risk assessment on food and EFSA, Brussels, 13 June 2019, edited by Prof Ellen Vos , 2019 Conference Paper, 2019

Caoimhín MacMaoláin, Assessing the compatibility of national nutrition information rules with EU law, Nutrition information as a tool of consumer empowerment and public health protection, Lausanne, Switzerland, 25-26 January 2018, 2018 Conference Paper, 2018

Caoimhin MacMaolain, The Consumer Information Paradigm: A Critical European Perspective, Global Food Law and Policy, Bilbao, Spain, 17-20 July 2017, 2017 Conference Paper, 2017

Caoimhín MacMaoláin, The harmonisation of labelling rules at regional and global levels, Ending childhood obesity: A challenge at the crossroads of international trade and human rights law, London, 7-8 July 2016, 2016 Conference Paper, 2016

C MacMaoláin, Providing information on food to consumers: the role of labelling laws in protecting human health, Designing law for nutrition-related health, University of Surrey, June 2015, 2015 Conference Paper, 2015

C MacMaolain, Food Labelling Requirements in EU Law: Creating the right package of measures to protect producers, promote health and safeguard consumer interests, The Common Agricultural Policy in 2020: The future of the policy, Dublin, March 2014, 2014 Conference Paper, 2014

C MacMaolain, Emerging issues in food labelling law in comparative EU/US perspective, Towards Global Food Law: Transatlantic Competition and Collaboration, Seattle, Washington, USA, Feb 2013, 2013 Conference Paper, 2013

C MacMaolain, A European Perspective on Food and Farming: Using the law to protect humans, animals and the environment, Global Food and Farming Isuues, Washington, USA, February 2013, 2013 Conference Paper, 2013

C Macmaolain, Rights and entitlements at work, Migraine Association of Ireland National Conference, Dublin, April 2012, 2012 Conference Paper, 2012

MacMaolain, Rights in Employment Law for people suffering from neurological disorders, European Federation of Neurological Associations, HungExpo, Budapest, Hungary, Sept 2011, 2011 Conference Paper, 2011

MacMaolain, Role of EU Law in the Irish Economic Crisis, Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference, Cambridge, September 2011, 2011 Conference Paper, 2011

MacMaolain, Tackling the most serious of all food safety concerns: The EU's role in reducing obesity, European Files, Dec, 2011, p26 - 28 Journal Article, 2011

MacMaoláin, C, Communication with consumers on the composition and nutritional benefits of foodstuffs in the European Union, European Food and Feed Law Conference, Apulia, Italy, 2009, 2009 Conference Paper, 2009

MacMaoláin, C, The application of EU Law in food safety crises , The European Union and Global Emergencies International Conference, Durham, UK, 2009, 2009 Conference Paper, 2009

MacMaoláin, Legal responses to climate change: developing a carbon label for the EU, World Bank and World Trade Organisation International Conference on Climate Change, Washington DC, USA, 2009, 2009 Conference Paper, 2009

MacMaoláin, C, New European Union Food Labelling Rules, ERA Food Law Conference, Parma, Italy, 2008, 2008 Conference Paper, 2008

MacMaoláin, C, The proposal for a regulation on the provision of food information to consumers: making food labels clearer and more relevant to the needs of consumers, EIPA Food Law Conference, Luxembourg, 2008, 2008 Conference Paper, 2008

MacMaoláin, C, Labelling requirements in EU Food Law, European Institute of Public Administration Seminar, Luxembourg, 2007, 2007 Conference Paper, 2007

MacMaoláin, New directions in European Union law and policy on the free movement of goods, SLS EU Law section , Keele, UK, 2006, 2006 Conference Paper, 2006

MacMaoláin, C, The potential impact of EU regulations on the making of nutrition and health claims, EIPA Food Law Conference, Luxembourg, 2006, 2006 Conference Paper, 2006

MacMaoláin, Protecting consumers through suitable labelling disclosures in EU Law, European Institute of Public Administration, Luxembourg, Luxembourg, 2004, 2004 Conference Paper, 2004

MacMaoláin, C, Contradictions in European Union Regulation on the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms on to the market, Society of Legal Scholars, Leicester, UK, 2003, 2003 Conference Paper, 2003

Research Expertise

Keywords

EU Law; Food Law; International Trade Law (WTO)

Recognition

Representations

Legal Advisor to Government Department of Health on the content and introduction of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 2015-2018

Society of Legal Scholars Convenor for Ireland 2006-2018

Adviser to the House of Lords Energy and Environment Sub-Committee on Brexit and Biosecurity 2018

EU Law Co-ordinator and Examiner for Law Society of Ireland 2015-2022

Expert Witness before Criminal Courts of Justice and Court of Criminal Appeal 2013

Legal Researcher, Adviser and Presenter for the Migraine Association of Ireland and the European Headache Alliance 2011-2017

Regular adviser to Irish and EU politicians, national and international organisations, health promoting NGOs and EU Commission 2011-2020

Teagasc Expert Group for Health and Sustainability 2021

Peer reviewer for Modern Law Review 2021

Research Funding and Grant Reviewer for the State Research Institute of Poland 2021

Member Advisory Board of the Law and Non-Communicable Diseases Unit 2015-2022

Peer reviewer for European Law Review 2011-2021

Book proposals reviewer for Hart: Bloomsbury 2013-2019

Member and presenter of the European Food Law Academy 2010-2017

PhD External Examinations, most recently for University of Liverpool 2020

Peer reviewer for Irish Journal of European Law 2015-2021

Academic Adviser for Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic 2020

Book proposal reviewer Oxford University Press 2003-2020

Book proposal reviewer for Edward Elgar Publishing 2018

Articles peer reviewer for European Journal of Risk Regulation 2013-2018

Peer reviewer for European Public Law journal 2016

Adviser to the Sugar Reduction Summit, Royal Society London 2016

Visiting Teaching Fellow at University of Nantes 2016

Peer reviewer for Georgetown Journal of International Law 2015

Peer Reviewer for Maastricht Journal of European and Comparative Law 2015-2017

Peer reviewer for European Food and Feed Law Review 2015-2018

Reviewer of manuscripts for Palgrave Publishing 2010-2013

Peer reviewer for European Law Journal 2014

Book proposals reviewer for Informa Publishing 2019

Peer reviewer for US Food and Drug Law Journal 2003-2005

Awards and Honours

Fellowship, Trinity College Dublin 2015

Master in Arts (jure officii) 2010

Memberships

Convenor for Ireland, Society of Legal Scholars UK and Ireland 2006 – 2018

Member UK Association of European Lawyers 2001 – 2018

Member Society of Legal Scholars UK and Ireland 2001 – 2022

Member of European Food Law Academy 2009 – 2017

Member Institute of Advanced Legal Studies 2001 – 2022

Member of Heads of Irish University Law Schools 2021 – 2022