… weren’t about launching campaigns or drafting declarations — they were about being in the room. In meetings with EU institutions, in expert groups, in legislative consultations.

It was from this groundwork that we helped shape the EU’s roadmap on procedural rights — from access to a lawyer and interpretation, to the right to information and legal aid. Not as abstract principles, but as enforceable rights.

The European Criminal Bar Association (ECBA) was founded in 1997 by defence lawyers determined to give a voice to the profession at the European level.

From the very beginning, our mission has been rooted in a simple yet ambitious idea: justice across borders must mean fair justice. In the early days, this meant challenging a fragmented legal landscape where procedural safeguards for suspects and accused persons were often vague, weak, or non-existent in cross-border cases.

… requires expertise, dedication, and an uncompromising commitment to justice.

ECBA plays an active role in legislative developments, offering insights from experienced European criminal defence practitioners, intervening in cases, participating in consultations, and advocating for laws that protect procedural safeguards and defence rights.
Our contributions influence key legal frameworks affecting criminal defence practice.