Date: 4 June 2007 

Common solutions to common problems are the idea behind European integration. Transnational crime is a common problem. However, criminal law is deeply rooted in the Member States’ national law, which makes international co-operation more difficult. 

A new report from Sieps analyzes and discusses EU’s growing activity in the criminal law field. Issues addressed include how to combat transnational crime and yet preserve legal certainty and integrity. The report also addresses the Prüm Convention and the work on increased harmonization of criminal law enforcement, including a European Public Prosecutor. 

The new European Policy Analysis Spillover or activist leapfrogging? Criminal Competence and the Sensitiveness of the ECJ, focuses on the development towards a common criminal EU law from a constitutional perspective. The landmark case C-176/03, Commission v. Council, establishing criminal law competence under the first pillar, is analyzed and discussed. The report is part of the research project The constitutional development of the European Union.

Speaker: 
Gunnar Persson, Doctor of Laws, Stockholm University 
Maria Bergström, Doctor of Laws, EUI, Stockholm University

Comments: 
Lena Moore, Director of Public Prosecution, Office of the Prosecutor-General 
Erik Wennerström, Senior Legal Advisor, Ministry of Justice 

Chair: 
Jörgen Hettne, Director, SIEPS

 Programme ( in Swedish) (156.13 kB)

Publications: 
 2007: 4 Gränslös straffrätt (Criminal Law without bounds?) (328.76 kB)
 2007:2epa Spillover or activist leapfrogging? Criminal Competence and the Sensitiveness of the European Court of Justice (166.25 kB)