European Criminal Law for Defence Lawyers in a transforming digital landscape
The Academy of European Law (ERA), together with the Bar Associations of Barcelona, Lithuania and Portugal, and in cooperation with the Albanian, Bosnian, Czech, German, Latvian, Moldovan, Romanian and Ukrainian Bar Associations as well as the European Criminal Bar Association (ECBA), is implementing a two-year project for lawyers in private practice working in criminal law. The project is co-financed by the European Union.
The project offers a range of training activities and formats covering key topics in European criminal law. It aims to strengthen defence lawyers’ ability to apply EU law in a digital environment, enhance their digital skills in dealing with new technologies, and deepen their knowledge of cross-border cooperation in criminal matters, including the European Investigation Order, e-evidence and the use of videoconferencing. It also provides opportunities to exchange best practices, network and discuss current challenges.
The training programme includes three face-to-face conferences held across the EU. These focus on digitalisation in European criminal justice, differences in the application of legal privilege in criminal matters, and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office from the perspective of the defence.
In addition, seven webinars introduce key issues in European procedural and substantive criminal law. Topics include representing victims in the EU, the transfer of criminal proceedings, cross-border procedures and the European Arrest Warrant, EncroChat/SkyECC/ANOM, money laundering as well as freezing and confiscation, representing foreign citizens in criminal proceedings, and the European Investigation Order together with the use of videoconferencing.
The programme is complemented by a seminar on the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in criminal matters and its preliminary ruling procedure, including a visit to the Court.
All training activities are interactive and practice-oriented, combining different formats and using learning methods tailored to the needs of legal practitioners. Selected webinar recordings will also be made available.
An introductory e-learning course on European criminal justice, developed under a previous project, will be offered in a blended learning format to participants prior to their involvement in the project activities and will also be accessible to other interested parties.
The project is specifically designed for private lawyers handling criminal cases, a group that has had fewer opportunities to participate in EU-funded training compared to judges, prosecutors and court staff. Strengthening their capacity is essential for the effective application of EU criminal law and cross-border cooperation. The project therefore aims to support their role by providing targeted training and opportunities for professional exchange across the EU.
The project will run for 24 months, starting on 1 March 2026, and will deliver a series of interactive, practice-oriented training activities during this period.
