Policy Making Bodies
Our Role in European Lawmaking
Work with us to shape fair and effective European criminal law
Legislation must balance justice, efficiency, and the protection of human rights. The European Criminal Bar Association (ECBA) works alongside lawmakers to ensure that criminal justice systems across Europe uphold these core values.
Through expert consultations, and policy recommendations, the ECBA helps shape legislation that strengthens procedural safeguards, promotes fairness, and reflects the realities of criminal defence practice.
On this page, explore how ECBA engages with policy-making bodies, contributes to legislative developments, and offers expert insights that influence European criminal law.
The ECBA is a trusted voice of criminal defence lawyers in Europe
committed to improving legal frameworks through advocacy and collaboration. We provide legislators and institutions with informed, practical perspectives on how criminal laws affect individuals, defence lawyers, and justice systems in practice. We contribute by:
Monitoring and responding
to legislative proposals across the EU and Council of Europe.
Participating
in consultations initiated by policy making bodies and expert hearings.
Initiating
New ideas. New proposals. Defining the future of criminal justice in Europe.
Forum of discussion
Join our conversations that shape the future of defence rights in Europe. Talk to us and hear from us at one of our events across Europe.
As an example of our policy work, we have contributed to the activities of the following bodies:
Council of Europe Committee of Experts on the Protection of Lawyers (CJ-AV)
United Nations Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers
European Union - European Commission and European Parliament
United Kingdom House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee
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!
Partner with Us!
The ECBA is committed to promoting laws that serve justice, protect rights, and work in practice. If you are a policymaker, legislator, or stakeholder working in the field of criminal justice, we are here for you.
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.
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.
Global Legal Community Calls for the Release of Nasrin Sotoudeh – April 2026
On 10 April 2026, the ECBA and a coalition of 30 international legal organisations issued a formal call for intervention concerning the judicial harassment...
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 Meets ECtHR on Case Processing and Expansion
Chair Vânia Costa Ramos and Human Rights Officer Alexis Anagnostakis attended the European Court of Human Rights’ Meeting with NGOs and Litigators in Strasbourg.
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.
Safeguarding INTERPOL’s Systems: Recommendations for Reform – February 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.
LEAP Athens 6-7 February 2026
Vice Chair Gwen Jansen – de Wolf represented the ECBA in the #LEAP2026 Annual Conference in Athens, organised by Fair Trials.