Arnull, Anthony --- "Postscript" [2008] ELECD 234; in Moser, Philip; Sawyer, Katrine (eds), "Making Community Law" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2008)

Book Title: Making Community Law

Editor(s): Moser, Philip; Sawyer, Katrine

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781847201379

Section Title: Postscript

Author(s): Arnull, Anthony

Number of pages: 7

Extract:

Postscript
Anthony Arnull1
The preceding chapters reveal the richness of Francis Jacobs' contribution as
Advocate General to the development of Community law. Hardly any area of
the discipline was untouched by his Opinions. In this brief afterword, I would
like to reflect on the qualities that enabled Francis to exploit the potential of
his office to such great effect. I had the privilege of serving as a référendaire
in his chambers at the Court from 1989 to 1992, so I shall also say a few words
in passing about what he was like to work for.
Francis' influence is of course to some extent attributable to his longevity:
he is the second longest-serving Advocate General after Advocate General
Roemer, who held office from 1953 to 1973. A more important factor was
Francis' professional background. Lord Mackenzie Stuart once remarked that
an Advocate General was like the holder of a professorial chair in Community
law.2 That remark could hardly be repeated in today's world of `Research
Assessment Exercises' and increasing managerialism in universities, but I
doubt whether it was entirely apt even when it was made. Francis was indeed
the holder of a chair in Community law when he was appointed as Advocate
General; he was also a successful QC. I believe that his capacity to combine
an academic's sensitivity to the deep rhythms of Community law with a prac-
titioner's ability to identify the really crucial issues played a big part in his
...