Dr Sara Drake
Senior Lecturer in Law
Ysgol y Gyfraith a Gwleidyddiaeth
- DrakeS@caerdydd.ac.uk
- +44 29208 74367
- Adeilad y Gyfraith, Ystafell 2.08, Rhodfa'r Amgueddfa, Caerdydd, CF10 3AX
- Ar gael fel goruchwyliwr ôl-raddedig
Trosolwyg
I am a lecturer in European Union (EU) law and EU competition law at Cardiff School of Law and Politics, Cardiff University. My main activities of research are:
- EU constitutional law, particularly the interface between EU law and national law before national courts;
- Interdisciplinary approaches to the enforcement of EU law including those drawn from the field of Regulation and Political Science;
EU constitutional law, particularly the relationship between EU law and national law before national courts
My interest in this area of EU law, which dates back to my PhD, includes the constitutional principles through which EU law rights are effectively enforced before national courts; the procedural rules applicable, and methods and degrees of harmonisation; the effectiveness of the remedies available including the impact of Article 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights.
I have published in leading European law journals such as European Law Review, European Public Law and the Irish Journal for European Law. My work has been widely cited by leading EU scholars, and by the judiciary. My 2003 article in European Law Review was favourably cited in the English Court of Appeal in the case of Marks & Spencer v. Commissioners for Customs & Excise [2004] 1 CMLR 8 (29) by Auld LJ. My publication on the principle of consistent interpretation (2005) has been in the top 10 downloads from European Law Review via Westlaw since 2012. In 2015, I was invited to act as UK rapporteur for a research project funded by the University of Bergen, Norway, (PI: Professor Christian Franklin) to explore the application and effectiveness of the principle of consistent interpretation in the UK courts. This work was presented at a workshop in Bergen in 2016 and will be published in an edited collection in 2017. One strand of my work considers the enforcement of EU rights by individuals before national courts in the field of EU competition law (2006).
Future work will consider the UK's constitutional disentanglement from this legal framework for enforcing EU rights following withdrawal from the EU, and the impact on business, citizens and consumers in the fields of equality and competition law.
Interdisciplinary approaches to the enforcement of EU law
I am currently working on interdisciplinary approaches to the enforcement of EU law. In 2014, I was awarded a 12 month Cardiff University Research Leave Fellowship to develop my work in this area. In 2014, under the auspices of Cardiff University's Centre for European Law and Governance (CELAG), a Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence, and funded by the European Commission, I co-organised an interdisciplinary workshop of scholars drawn from the fields of Law, Regulation, and Political Science. This led to the publication of a multi-disciplinary edited collection (with Dr. Melanie Smith), New Directions in the Effective Enforcment of EU Law and Policy (2016, Edward Elgar). I wrote the lead chapter in the volume, 'More Effective Private Enforcement of EU Law Post-Lisbon: Aligning Regulatory Goals and Constitutional Values' which draws on the regulatory scholarship of Karen Yeung to assess the legal doctrine and institutional design of the EU's framework for enforcing EU rights before national courts. Other aspects of my research draw upon political science theories such as legal mobilisation, adversarial legalism, and Eurolegalism.
Cyhoeddiad
2023
- Drake, S. and Bosangit, C. 2023. How to get help or your money back after travel disruptions – experts explain. The Conversation 2023, article number: 29Aug.
- Drake, S. 2023. Reasserting its consumer credentials: The European Union's Court of Justice declares union-led strikes to fall outside the scope of the defence of extraordinary circumstances. European Journal of Consumer Law
2022
- Drake, S. and Hunt, J. 2022. Clarifying the duties of the UK judiciary post-Brexit. Modern Law Review 85(5), pp. 1261-1273. (10.1111/1468-2230.12705)
- Drake, S. 2022. Op Ed: California dreamin?: Court of Justice confirms Air Passenger Regulation does not infringe state sovereignty over airspace by granting rights concerning connections operated entirely in third countries. [Online]. EU Law Live. Available at: https://eulawlive.com/op-ed-california-dreamin-court-of-justice-confirms-air-passenger-regulation-does-not-infringe-state-sovereignty-over-airspace-by-granting-rights-concerning-connections-operated-ent/#
2020
- Drake, S. 2020. The principle of primacy and the duty of national bodies appointed to enforce EU law to disapply conflicting national law: An Garda Síochána. Common Market Law Review 57, pp. 557-568.
- Drake, S. 2020. Delays, cancellations and compensation: Why are air passengers still finding it difficult to enforce their EU rights under Regulation 261/2004. Maastricht Journal of European and Comparative Law 27(2), pp. 230-249. (10.1177/1023263X20904235)
2019
- Drake, S. 2019. Empowering Parliaments and enforcing citizens' rights in the implementation and application of Union law - Case analysis: the transposition and implementation of Regulation 261/2004 on air passenger rights ysis: the. European Parliament.
2018
- Drake, S. 2018. The UK perspective on the principle of consistent interpretation. In: Franklin, C. N. K. ed. The Effectiveness and Application of EU and EEA Law in National Courts. Intersentia Ltd, pp. 213-256.
2016
- Drake, S. 2016. More effective private enforcement of EU Law post-Lisbon: aligning regulatory goals and constitutional values. In: Drake, S. and Smith, M. eds. New Directions in Effective Enforcement of EU Law and Policy. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, pp. 12-44., (10.4337/9781784718695.00012)
- Smith, M. and Drake, S. 2016. Introduction. In: Drake, S. and Smith, M. eds. New Directions in the Effective Enforcement of EU Law and Policy. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, pp. 1-11.
- Smith, M. and Drake, S. 2016. Conclusions: assembling the jigsaw of effective enforcement - multiple strategies - multiple gaps?. In: Drake, S. and Smith, M. eds. New Directions in the Effective Enforcement of EU Law and Policy. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, pp. 320-327.
- Drake, S. and Smith, M. eds. 2016. New directions in effective enforcement of EU law and policy. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
2010
- D'Sa, R. M. and Drake, S. 2010. Financial penalties for failure to recover state aid and their relevance to state liability for breach of union law. European State Aid Law Quarterly 9(1), pp. 33-46.
- Drake, S. 2010. State liability for judicial error: all bark and no bite? The consequences of national courts' failure to refer. In: Cygan, A. and Spadacini, L. eds. Constitutional Implications of the Traghetti Judgment: Italian and European Perspectives. Brescia, Italy: biblioFabbrica, pp. 49-80.
2006
- Drake, S. 2006. Scope of courage and the principle of individual liability for damages: further development of the principle of effective judicial protection. European Law Review 31(6), pp. 841-864.
2005
- Drake, S. 2005. Twenty years after Von Colson: the impact of "indirect effect" on the protection of the individual`s community rights. European Law Review 30(3), pp. 329-348.
2004
- Drake, S. 2004. State liability under community law for judicial error. Irish Journal of European Law 11(1), pp. 34-?.
2003
- Drake, S. and Costello, C. 2003. Enforcing EC motor insurance directives: navigating the maze. European Public Law 9(3), pp. 371-398.
- Drake, S. 2003. Vouchers and VAT: issues of direct effect and national time limits raised by the Marks and Spencer case. European Law Review 28(3), pp. 418-429.
Adrannau llyfrau
- Drake, S. 2018. The UK perspective on the principle of consistent interpretation. In: Franklin, C. N. K. ed. The Effectiveness and Application of EU and EEA Law in National Courts. Intersentia Ltd, pp. 213-256.
- Drake, S. 2016. More effective private enforcement of EU Law post-Lisbon: aligning regulatory goals and constitutional values. In: Drake, S. and Smith, M. eds. New Directions in Effective Enforcement of EU Law and Policy. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, pp. 12-44., (10.4337/9781784718695.00012)
- Smith, M. and Drake, S. 2016. Introduction. In: Drake, S. and Smith, M. eds. New Directions in the Effective Enforcement of EU Law and Policy. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, pp. 1-11.
- Smith, M. and Drake, S. 2016. Conclusions: assembling the jigsaw of effective enforcement - multiple strategies - multiple gaps?. In: Drake, S. and Smith, M. eds. New Directions in the Effective Enforcement of EU Law and Policy. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, pp. 320-327.
- Drake, S. 2010. State liability for judicial error: all bark and no bite? The consequences of national courts' failure to refer. In: Cygan, A. and Spadacini, L. eds. Constitutional Implications of the Traghetti Judgment: Italian and European Perspectives. Brescia, Italy: biblioFabbrica, pp. 49-80.
Erthyglau
- Drake, S. and Bosangit, C. 2023. How to get help or your money back after travel disruptions – experts explain. The Conversation 2023, article number: 29Aug.
- Drake, S. 2023. Reasserting its consumer credentials: The European Union's Court of Justice declares union-led strikes to fall outside the scope of the defence of extraordinary circumstances. European Journal of Consumer Law
- Drake, S. and Hunt, J. 2022. Clarifying the duties of the UK judiciary post-Brexit. Modern Law Review 85(5), pp. 1261-1273. (10.1111/1468-2230.12705)
- Drake, S. 2020. The principle of primacy and the duty of national bodies appointed to enforce EU law to disapply conflicting national law: An Garda Síochána. Common Market Law Review 57, pp. 557-568.
- Drake, S. 2020. Delays, cancellations and compensation: Why are air passengers still finding it difficult to enforce their EU rights under Regulation 261/2004. Maastricht Journal of European and Comparative Law 27(2), pp. 230-249. (10.1177/1023263X20904235)
- D'Sa, R. M. and Drake, S. 2010. Financial penalties for failure to recover state aid and their relevance to state liability for breach of union law. European State Aid Law Quarterly 9(1), pp. 33-46.
- Drake, S. 2006. Scope of courage and the principle of individual liability for damages: further development of the principle of effective judicial protection. European Law Review 31(6), pp. 841-864.
- Drake, S. 2005. Twenty years after Von Colson: the impact of "indirect effect" on the protection of the individual`s community rights. European Law Review 30(3), pp. 329-348.
- Drake, S. 2004. State liability under community law for judicial error. Irish Journal of European Law 11(1), pp. 34-?.
- Drake, S. and Costello, C. 2003. Enforcing EC motor insurance directives: navigating the maze. European Public Law 9(3), pp. 371-398.
- Drake, S. 2003. Vouchers and VAT: issues of direct effect and national time limits raised by the Marks and Spencer case. European Law Review 28(3), pp. 418-429.
Gwefannau
- Drake, S. 2022. Op Ed: California dreamin?: Court of Justice confirms Air Passenger Regulation does not infringe state sovereignty over airspace by granting rights concerning connections operated entirely in third countries. [Online]. EU Law Live. Available at: https://eulawlive.com/op-ed-california-dreamin-court-of-justice-confirms-air-passenger-regulation-does-not-infringe-state-sovereignty-over-airspace-by-granting-rights-concerning-connections-operated-ent/#
Llyfrau
- Drake, S. and Smith, M. eds. 2016. New directions in effective enforcement of EU law and policy. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
Monograffau
Ymchwil
Fy mhrif feysydd ymchwil yw:
- Gorfodi hawliau'r UE gerbron llysoedd cenedlaethol;
- Effaith Brexit ar hawliau'r UE unigolion;
- Gorfodi cyfraith a pholisi'r UE yn effeithiol o safbwynt rhyngddisgyblaethol;
- Gorfodi hawliau teithwyr awyr yr UE yn effeithiol (Rheoliad 261/2004).
Gorfodi hawliau'r UE gerbron llysoedd cenedlaethol;
Mae fy niddordeb yn y maes hwn o gyfraith yr UE, sy'n dyddio'n ôl i fy PhD, yn mynd â'r unigolyn fel man cychwyn ac yn canolbwyntio ar sut mae cyfraith yr UE wedi'i datblygu i alluogi unigolion i orfodi eu hawliau yn effeithiol gerbron llysoedd cenedlaethol. Mae hyn yn cynnwys ymchwilio i'r egwyddorion cyfansoddiadol a ddatblygwyd gan Lys Cyfiawnder yr UE a sut y cânt eu cymhwyso gan lysoedd cenedlaethol. Mae fy ngwaith wedi cael ei gyhoeddi mewn cyfnodolion cyfraith Ewropeaidd blaenllaw (European Law Review, European Public Law, Irish Journal for European Law Law),mae nd wedi cael ei nodi yn Llys Apêl Lloegr (Marks & Spencer v. Commissioners for Customs & Excise [2004] 1 CMLR 8 (29), Auld LJ). Rwy'n awdur yr erthygl cyfnodolyn arweiniol ar yr egwyddor o effaith anuniongyrchol (neu ddehongli cyson) sydd wedi bod yn y 10 lawrlwythiad uchaf o Adolygiad Cyfraith Ewrop trwy Westlaw ers 2012. Fel rhan o brosiect cydweithredol dan arweiniad yr Athro Christian N.K. Franklin (Bergen, Norwy), cefais wahoddiad i ysgrifennu astudiaeth ar sut mae'r egwyddor o effaith anuniongyrchol (neu egwyddor Marleasing wedi'i chymhwyso gan lysoedd y DU). Mae'r astudiaeth hon yn ymddangos fel pennod mewn cyfrol wedi'i golygu o'r enw, The Effectiveness and Application of EU and EEA Law in National Courts: Principles of Consistent Interpretation (2018, Intersentia).
Effaith tynnu'r DU yn ôl ar hawliau'r UE
Rwy'n cynnal ymchwil i anghysondeb cyfansoddiadol y DU o'r UE a'i effaith ar allu unigolion i orfodi eu hawliau sy'n deillio o'r UE ar ôl Brexit. Rwyf wedi cyflwyno yn y Prosiect Cyfraith Gyhoeddus: Cynhadledd Cymru (2017) ar effaith Deddf yr UE (WIthdrawal) 2018 ar hawliau a rhwymedïau yr UE yng Nghymru ar ôl Brexit. Yn ddiweddar fe wnes i gyd-ysgrifennu nodyn achos ar un o ddyfarniadau cyntaf y Llys Apêl ar ôl Brexit, (Lipton ac Anr v. BA City Flyer Ltd, 30ain Mawrth 2021) gyda'r Athro Jo Hunt (sydd ar ddod) gyda ffocws penodol ar adran 29 o Ddeddf yr UE (Perthynas yn y Dyfodol) 2020.
Dulliau rhyngddisgyblaethol o orfodi cyfraith yr UE yn effeithiol;
Trwy ymchwil hefyd yn ymestyn y tu hwnt i orfodi barnwrol i lwybrau eraill ar gyfer gorfodi hawliau'r UE yn effeithiol fel yr archwiliwyd mewn cyfrol a gyd-olygais (gyda Melanie Smith) o'r enw, New Directions in the Effective Enforcement of EU Law and Policy (2016, Edward Elgar). Arweiniodd hyn at sefydlu Rhwydwaith Ymchwil UACES ar Orfodi Cyfraith a Pholisi'r UE yn Effeithiol (2018-2021) yr wyf yn ei arwain ynghyd â Monica Garcia Quesada (LUISS Guido Carli). Mae'r rhwydwaith yn dwyn ynghyd ysgolheigion sy'n ymwneud ag ymchwilio i orfodi cyfraith a pholisi'r UE yn ei ystyr ehangaf o wahanol safbwyntiau disgyblaethol. Gellir dod o hyd i ragor o fanylion am ein digwyddiadau, gweithgareddau a blogiau yn www.euenforcement.com Gallwch ein dilyn ar Twitter @euenforcement
Gorfodi hawliau teithwyr awyr yr UE yn effeithiol (Rheoliad 261/2004)
Mae fy ngwaith cyfredol yn canolbwyntio ar orfodi hawliau teithwyr awyr yr UE yn effeithiol o dan Reoliad 261/2004 a bydd yn destun llyfr a gyhoeddir gan Hart yn 2023. Mae'r llyfr yn adeiladu ar fy ngwaith blaenorol yn y maes hwn sy'n cynnwys adroddiad a ysgrifennwyd gennyf ar gyfer Senedd Ewrop ar weithrediad Rheoliad 261/2004 (Tachwedd 2018) a ddyfynnwyd yn y Financial Times . Ym mis Ebrill 2020, cyhoeddais erthygl hefyd sy'n archwilio pam na all teithwyr awyr orfodi eu hawliau'r UE yn effeithiol a galwadau am ddiwygio deddfwriaethol (Maastricht Journal of European and Comparative Law).
Mae ymadawiad y DU o'r UE wedi arwain at ail-lansio'r broses ddeddfwriaethol ar gyfer ail-lunio'r Rheoliad. Fodd bynnag, mae amheuaeth bellach am gynnydd oherwydd effaith pandemig COVID-19 ar y sector hedfan. Yn 2021, cefais gyllid gan Ganolfan y Gyfraith a Chymdeithas ar gyfer prosiect cydweithredol rhyngddisgyblaethol gydag ymchwilwyr o Ysgol Busnes Caerdydd ar ymwybyddiaeth defnyddwyr o hawliau cyfreithiol, ymatebion cwmnïau hedfan a ffyrdd o unioni ar gyfer canslo hedfan yn ystod pandemig COVID-19.
Addysgu
Undergraduate Teaching
Law of the European Union, Module Convenor (Year 3)
Postgraduate Teaching
Competition Law, Module Convenor
PhD Supervision
Matthew Cole - Tying Law in the European Union: Theory and Application (Complete)
Bywgraffiad
I am a graduate in Law with French and have studied at the University of Nantes, France (Erasmus Programme), and Université de Sciences Sociales, Toulouse, France (Maîtrise en droit communautaire et international). Following completion of my PhD, I taught EU law, EU competition law, and Irish contract law, at the National University of Ireland, Galway, Republic of Ireland, and was appointed Jean Monnet Lecturer in European Public Law in 2001.
I joined Cardiff University in 2003. I was Visiting Lecturer at the University of Nantes, France (2004), and Visiting Fellow at the European University Institute (EUI), Florence, Italy (2006). I was appointed UK (Alternate) Member, European Union's Economic and Social Committee, Brussels, from 2007-2011, and twice re-appointed from 2014-2015, 2015-present. From 2008-2011, I was Deputy Convenor for the EU and Competition Law Panel of the Society of Legal Scholars. In 2010, I was invited as Visiting Lecturer at the University of Brescia, Italy.
I have acted as expert reviewer for the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research, a reviewer of book proposals for Cambridge University Press, Oxford University Press, Hart Publishing and Routledge, and a reviewer of journal articles for the European Law Review, Journal of Law and Society and Irish Journal of European Law.
Aelodaethau proffesiynol
Member of the Society of Legal Scholars (SLS)
Member of the Irish Association of Law Teachers (IALT)
Member of the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR)
Safleoedd academaidd blaenorol
2001-2003: Jean Monnet Lecturer in European Public Law, National University of Ireland, Galway, Republic of Ireland.
1999-2001: Temporary Teaching Assistant, National University of Ireland, Galway, Republic of Ireland.
Pwyllgorau ac adolygu
Chair of Board of Undergraduate Studies
Member of Board of Postgraduate Studies
Meysydd goruchwyliaeth
Mae gen i ddiddordeb mewn goruchwylio myfyrwyr PhD ym meysydd:
- cyfraith yr UE, yn enwedig ym maes meddyginiaethau a gorfodaeth
- Y rhyngweithio rhwng cyfraith yr UE a chyfraith ddomestig ar ôl Brexit ('Cyfraith Cysylltiadau'r UE')
- Hawliau teithwyr awyr yn yr UE a'r Deyrnas Unedig
Goruchwyliaeth gyfredol

Michael Howard
Myfyriwr ymchwil