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.
News
Strategic litigation and court interventions
21 Apr 2026 | Current and future initiatives Human Rights Committee, Fair Trial Standards
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
21 Apr 2026 | Current and future initiatives Human Rights Committee, Defending the Defence, Fair Trial Standards, Privilege, Safeguarding Independent Legal Institutions
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
21 Apr 2026 | Current and future initiatives Human Rights Committee, Defending the Defence
Every January 24th, ECBA’s HRC stands with persecuted lawyers worldwide coordinating advocacy, public outreach, and legal interventions to defend those who defend others.
Mutual Legal Assistance WG Webinars
20 Apr 2026 | Current and future initiatives International Co-operation WG, MLA
The purpose of the MLA working group webinars is to increase knowledge and awareness amongst defence practitioners about the various MLA instruments as well as procedural and other ECHR safeguards in that context.
Engaging with INTERPOL on Policy aspects
20 Apr 2026 | Current and future initiatives International Co-operation WG, INTERPOL
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
20 Apr 2026 | Current and future initiatives Business Crime WG, EPPO
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 & LATR Joint Submission: Reforming INTERPOL’s Oversight – March 2026
11 Mar 2026 | Evidence, International Co-operation, INTERPOL, Procedural Safeguards, Remedies
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
16 Feb 2026 | Current and future initiatives Cybercrime, Tech & AI WG, E-Justice, AI & Lawtech
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
16 Feb 2026 | Current and future initiatives Cybercrime, Tech & AI WG, Video-conferencing
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
16 Feb 2026 | Current and future initiatives Cybercrime, Tech & AI WG, E-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
13 Feb 2026 | International Co-operation, INTERPOL, Procedural Safeguards, Remedies
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.
ECBA Assurance Project
12 Feb 2026 | Current and future initiatives International Co-operation WG, EAW
States offer prison assurances to obtain surrender/extradition. These follow findings of incompliant detention conditions. We share these and seek to ensure compliance therewith.
EAW Handbook update and launch events
12 Feb 2026 | Current and future initiatives International Co-operation WG, EAW
The EAW Handbook helps defence lawyers obtain the best outcome for clients when challenging EAWs in either the issuing or executing State.
Extradition WG monthly Webinars
12 Feb 2026 | Current and future initiatives International Co-operation WG, EAW, Extradition
Lawyers practicing in EAW and extradition cases exchange experiences in domestic cases which can be of interest for other jurisdictions.
Update of the Country reports on Bribery and Corruption
12 Feb 2026 | Corruption & Bribery, Current and future initiatives Business Crime WG
Revising Country reports on Bribery and Corruption to reflect new laws, case law, and practice, offering defence-focused insights into evolving bribery enforcement across Europe.
ECBA Responds to EU Commission’s AI Act Consultation – January 2025
1 Dec 2025 | Cybercrime, Tech & AI, E-evidence, E-Justice, AI & Lawtech, Evidence, Procedural Safeguards
The ECBA has submitted its response to the EU Commission’s consultation on the AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689), focusing on several aspects affecting criminal law and procedure.
ECBA Response to INTERPOL CPD Call for Papers – October 2025
18 Oct 2025 | International Co-operation, INTERPOL, Procedural Safeguards, Remedies
The European Criminal Bar Association (ECBA) submitted a response to the Committee on the...
ECBA reply to the Call for input of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers – May 2025
6 Jun 2025 | Cybercrime, Tech & AI, E-Justice, AI & Lawtech
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Margaret...
ECBA Response to Interpol CPD Call for Papers – April 2025
6 Apr 2025 | International Co-operation, INTERPOL
The European Criminal Bar Association (ECBA) has submitted a response to the Committee on the...
ECBA Statement calling the Interpol to reaffirm its commitment to uphold human rights standards – November 2024
6 Nov 2024 | International Co-operation, INTERPOL
November 2024 - On the eve of INTERPOL's General Assembly, the ECBA issued a...
ECBA Position Paper on the Digitalisation of Justice – November 2024
1 Nov 2024 | Cybercrime, Tech & AI, E-evidence, E-Justice, AI & Lawtech, Video-conferencing
The rapid digitalisation of justice brings both opportunities and challenges for...
ECBA Opinion on Proposal for a Regulation on the transfer of proceedings COM (2023) 185 final – 2023/0093 (COD) – March 2024
1 Mar 2024 | International Co-operation, MLA
The ECBA publishes its opinion on the Proposal for a Regulation on the transfer of proceedings COM...
ECBA Statement on mutual recognition of extradition decisions – June 2022
27 Jun 2022 | EAW, Extradition, International Co-operation, INTERPOL
Across Europe, persons who have been successful in challenging INTERPOL red notices, extradition...
The ECBA calls with Fair Trials, EDRi and civil society on the EU Council, EU Parliament and EU states to ban predictive systems in policing & criminal justice – March 2022
16 Mar 2022 | Cybercrime, Tech & AI, E-Justice, AI & Lawtech, Evidence, Improving Justice, Procedural Safeguards
The ECBA joins the Fair Trials and European Digital Rights initiative and civil society call...
ECBA Response to Commission Non-paper on Detention Conditions and Procedural Rights in Pre-Trial Detention – October 2021
7 Oct 2021 | Detention, Procedural Safeguards
On 6 October 2021 the ECBA issued a response to the Commission non-paper on detention conditions...
Ruling on the Right to Access to a Lawyer Directive by Dutch Court of Discipline – June 2021
16 Jun 2021 | Legal Assistance & Legal Aid, Procedural Safeguards
A ruling on the Right to Access to a Lawyer Directive (2013/48/EU) by a Dutch Court of Discipline...
Council adopts the directive on the right of access to a lawyer – October 2013
7 Oct 2013 | Legal Assistance & Legal Aid, Procedural Safeguards
Press release from the Council of the European Union - 7 October 2013 Please click here to read...
Enhanced rights for accused persons agreed by Irish Presidency – September 2013
11 Sep 2013 | Legal Assistance & Legal Aid, Procedural Safeguards
The Irish Presidency today secured agreement with the European Parliament on a new Directive which...
Another landmark of the procedural rights agenda has been met: European Parliament adopts Commission proposal on access to a lawyer – September 2013
11 Sep 2013 | Legal Assistance & Legal Aid, Procedural Safeguards
Memo from the EC - 10 September 2013 Please click here for the memo.