two interesting default prohibitions (Ireland and the Netherlands) — How to Crack a Nut – Go Health Pro

two interesting default prohibitions (Ireland and the Netherlands) — How to Crack a Nut – Go Health Pro

We are getting so used to the hype around generative AI (GenAI) that it may seem like we are on the verge of it being used for all purposes, everywhere, all the time. There is significant pressure on public sector organisations, in particular, not to miss the opportunity to reap its (expected, presumed) benefits. However, … Read more

Commission’s Q&A on third country access to EU procurement post-Kolin/Qingdao — How to Crack a Nut – Go Health Pro

Commission’s Q&A on third country access to EU procurement post-Kolin/Qingdao — How to Crack a Nut – Go Health Pro

In the aftermath of the CJEU’s Judgments in Kolin (C-652/22, EU:C:2024:910) and Qingdao (C-266/22, EU:C:2025:178), there was much anticipation about a guidance document being prepared by the European Commission to address some of the many, complex, consequential issues left open by the Court (see comment here). The Q&A-type guidance document was published by the Commission … Read more

Lucky dip from a mixed bag? Summary results of the consultation on the evaluation of EU Procurement rules — How to Crack a Nut – Go Health Pro

Lucky dip from a mixed bag? Summary results of the consultation on the evaluation of EU Procurement rules — How to Crack a Nut – Go Health Pro

The European Commission has published a Factual Summary report on the public consultation on Evaluation of the Public Procurement Directives (the Summary). While we await for the Commission’s fuller analysis of the responses to the consultation (which officials have publicly acknowledged to be processing with AI tools, at least in part) after the summer, it … Read more

Some thoughts on (mostly) not flying to conferences 6 years on — How to Crack a Nut – Go Health Pro

Some thoughts on (mostly) not flying to conferences 6 years on — How to Crack a Nut – Go Health Pro

6 years ago I pledged to minimise conference travel and, basically, not to fly. This prompted a productive debate at the time but it quickly petered out. I tended to get the occasional raised eyebrow (or, less frequently, a thumbs up) when I declined invitations for in-person participation and asked to join online. Initially, not … Read more

Simplifying the aim and goals of procurement law — How to Crack a Nut – Go Health Pro

Simplifying the aim and goals of procurement law — How to Crack a Nut – Go Health Pro

Thanks to Prof Carina Risvig Hamer, I had the opportunity to participate in the conference ‘EU Public Procurement anno 2025 – Are the rules fit for purpose?’ at the University of Copenhagen. This was an interesting couple of days with plenty food for thought — but also worryingly reminiscent of discussions already had back in … Read more