This book investigates the extent to which fundamental rights, as enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights, influence the legal obligations and rights of individuals within European private law frameworks. Hans-W. Micklitz, a prominent scholar in European economic and private law, utilizes a rigorous legal analysis to evaluate the intersection of constitutional mandates and civil law. The text examines how the integration of the Charter into the Treaties of Rome and Lisbon alters the traditional boundaries of private law, arguing that constitutional principles are increasingly permeating contractual relations and citizen protections.

Legal scholars and practitioners frequently cite this work as a critical contribution to the discourse on the constitutionalization of private law. Experts highlight the text for its academic density and its ability to synthesize complex treaty developments into a coherent framework for understanding modern European jurisprudence.