The course aims to familiarise students with key features and fundamental issues of European criminal law, providing an in-depth understanding of judicial cooperation in criminal matters between EU Member States. The course will address questions and topics such as:

What is European criminal law - what is EU criminal law?

• The reasons for and the evolution of integration in criminal matters in the EU (CJEU case studies: the Greek 'Maise' case, the French 'strawberry' case and the 'Pupino' case).
• The tension between the practical necessity of dealing with transborder crimes (e.g. financial crimes, terrorism and human trafficking) at the EU level, and the fact that criminal law is a central feature of national sovereignty. 
• The cooperation mechanisms of national law enforcement agencies in light of the legal diversity of national laws: the principle of mutual recognition and relevant measures (e.g. the European Arrest Warrant and the European Investigation Order, as well as related CJEU case law, including Aranyosi and Caldararu and L.M. Gavanozov I. and II).
• European Union agencies to secure better functioning of criminal justice (e.g.Europol, Eurojust)
• The protection of the EU's financial interests (PIF Directive). Particular focus will be given to the functioning and powers of OLAF and the European Public Prosecutor's Office — the latest groundbreaking EU authority — and the related case before the CJEU: G.K. and Others.

Upon completing the course, students will be able to:

• understand the interplay between criminal law and European law, and their mutual and interdisciplinary effects.
• analyse and discuss the latest practice-relevant topics with other seminar participants.
• present the results of their independent research in a structured manner

Attendance is mandatory throughout the entire seminar.

Participants must conduct research on a specific topic and present their findings in English orally during the course, as well as in the form of a seminar paper.

Topics can be selected from a list.

• Seminar paper (45%)
• Presentation (40%)
• Active participation in discussions during the seminar (15%)

An interest in criminal law, economic criminal law, and human rights issues in the context of European law is welcome.

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