Academics
Bridging Theory and Practice
ECBA connects scholars with leading practitioners to advance European criminal law.
Academics play an essential role in shaping the evolution of criminal law. At the European Criminal Bar Association (ECBA), we believe that when legal theory and legal practice are meaningfully connected, both fields grow stronger — and so does the justice system as a whole.
That’s why we actively foster collaboration between researchers, educators, and defence practitioners. Through shared platforms, joint projects, and real-world engagement, we create lasting links between universities and the criminal bar, opening up pathways for academic research to inform legal policy and for students to access practical experience.
Why Collaborate with the ECBA?
ECBA is more than a professional association — it is a pan-European hub of expertise in criminal defence.
Our members are directly involved in shaping European criminal law through litigation, advocacy, and dialogue with EU institutions. For academics, this means:
Direct access to a vast network of legal experts
working across jurisdictions on cutting-edge cases and legislative reforms.
Opportunities to contribute legal research
to policy debates that influence lawmaking at the EU level.
Rich, practical insights
to ground legal theory in the realities of courtroom defence and procedural rights.
Participation in a shared mission
defending human rights, promoting fair trial standards, and upholding the rule of law in Europe.
Existing and Emerging Opportunities for Academic Engagement
We already offer – and are continuously developing – a range of initiatives to connect academic institutions with the ECBA network:
For Universities and Scholars
Collaborative Research Initiatives
Joint studies, reports, and publications on topics such as procedural safeguards, digital evidence, and transnational cooperation in criminal matters.
Academic Conferences & Publishing Platforms
Opportunities to present research at ECBA events and contribute to our publications, policy papers, and amicus curiae briefs.
Guest Lectures and Teaching Partnerships
ECBA members can speak at universities on specialised topics, or co-develop modules and workshops in European criminal law.
Curriculum Development Support
Drawing on practitioner expertise, we help shape courses that reflect the evolving challenges of EU-wide criminal defence.
Upcoming Conferences and Webinars
Join us Friday 15 May, 2026 for the upcoming Extradition Challenges webinar
A Brussels court ordered Belgium to negotiate the return of a wrongly extradited person to the US — a landmark case discussed with Belgian defence lawyer Christophe Marchand.
EFCL Annual Conference 2026, 12 June 2026 in London, United Kingdom
Join the next EFCL Conference which will be a joint conference with the FLA in London!
ECBA Autumn Conference 2026, 2 and 3 October in Tirana, Albania
Join the next ECBA Autumn Conference in Tirana, Albania!
For Students
Mentoring and Professional Development
Students can be matched with ECBA members for long-term guidance and insight into career paths in international defence law.
Scholarships and Attendance Grants
Funding support to attend ECBA trainings, conferences, and legislative hearings at the EU level.
Practical Semesters and Internships
Hands-on opportunities at law firms or legal organisations affiliated with ECBA across Europe.
Student-Led Research Projects
Engagement in collaborative, supervised research initiatives with real-world impact and publication potential.
What We Offer to Legal Educators and Researchers
ECBA provides a unique knowledge-sharing platform where academics can access:
The latest legislative briefings
position papers, and case-law analysis.
A multilingual network
of experienced criminal lawyers from across Europe.
A practical know-how pool
to enrich teaching, including case studies, legal strategies, and real-life procedural insights.
Invitations to closed-door policy discussions
providing a rare look into how European criminal law is formed.
Where We’re Headed
We envision a future where academic partnerships are integral to the ECBA’s core mission. Our goals include:
Launching formal university partnerships
with leading law faculties.
Establishing joint certification programmes
or summer schools in European criminal law.
Creating a permanent exchange forum
for academics and practitioners.
Scaling up student engagement and mobility
fostering the next generation of cross-border defence lawyers
The ECBA is committed to strengthening the connection between legal scholarship and criminal defence practice.
If you are an academic, researcher, or educational institution working in the field of criminal law, we invite you to collaborate with us.
Work with us to shape the future of European criminal law through research, dialogue, and practice.
Contact: secretariat@ecba.org
Latest Posts
Writing a new Statement on the Directive on Combatting Corruption
Preparing an ECBA follow-up position on the final EU Anti-Corruption Directive, assessing reforms and remaining defence-rights concerns in Europe’s evolving enforcement framework.
Strategic litigation and court interventions
The HRC files third-party interventions and amicus briefs in landmark cases before European and domestic courts, ensuring the criminal defence bar shapes the law that governs it.
Drafting and Publishing Statements
The HRC publishes expert statements on judicial independence, lawyer-client privilege, and fair trial rights – driving policy reform and solidarity across Europe and beyond.
Day of the Endangered Lawyer
Every January 24th, ECBA’s HRC stands with persecuted lawyers worldwide coordinating advocacy, public outreach, and legal interventions to defend those who defend others.
Engaging with INTERPOL on Policy aspects
The Interpol WG seeks to engage with Interpol on policy, addressing governing shortcomings. We drive dialogue on transparency, fairness, and human rights safeguards, promoting continued improvement in its practices.
EPPO Webinar
The webinar hosts defence lawyers and academics or magistrates that discuss practical issues and experiences regarding EPPO cases from different countries. Their scope is to describe relevant defense issues and to advise the members of the ECBA on how to handle them.
ECBA backs call for implementation of ECtHR and CJEU judgments
The ECBA joined call for the implementation of European Court of Human Rights / Cour européenne des droits de l’homme (ECtHR) and Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) judgments.
ECBA & LATR Submit Joint Response to INTERPOL’s CCF Statute Amendments
The ECBA and Lawyers Against Transnational Repression have submitted a joint response to INTERPOL’s Committee on the Processing of Data (CPD) regarding proposed amendments to the CCF Statute.
ECBA & LATR Joint Submission: Reforming INTERPOL’s Oversight – March 2026
The ECBA and Lawyers Against Transnational Repression (LATR) have submitted a joint response to INTERPOL’s Committee on the Processing of Data (CPD) regarding proposed amendments to the CCF Statute.
Data Retention and Encryption Workarounds
The ECBA contributes to FRA research on encryption workarounds by preparing input, questionnaires, and interviews with defence lawyers across Europe.
Renewal of the 2020 Videoconferencing Statement
The ECBA Cybercrime Working Group revises its 2020 videoconferencing statement, addressing trials in absentia, proportionality, and digital justice safeguards.
Harmonisation of Rules on Digital Evidence
The ECBA Cybercrime Working Group proposes EU minimum standards on digital evidence to address divergent national rules and safeguard fair trials.