Collective Members
Strengthening the criminal defence profession
ECBA collaborates with national and international bar associations to shape European criminal justice and uphold the rule of law.
ECBA connects criminal lawyers organisations, providing them a platform for mutual exchange and support. ECBA encourages and assists in the creation of national associations of criminal defence practitioners through our collective membership, sharing best practices.
Why Collaborate with the ECBA?
The ECBA keeps your organisation informed on developments in EU criminal defence law and connects you directly to a Europe-wide network of criminal lawyers. As a partner, you get visibility in our international directory, access to our events, and a direct line to working groups on criminal justice issues.
Access to Key Information
Stay ahead of developments in EU and European criminal justice with regular updates and event information tailored for criminal lawyers organisations.
Enhanced Visibility
Designate one representative from your criminal lawyers organisation to be listed in the ECBAās international [ … ]
Organisational Engagement
Receive direct notiĀcations about ECBA initiatives, activities, and working groups relevant to your [ … ]
Infuence European Policy
Participate in consultations and discussions that shape EU legal frameworks ā ensuring your organisationās voice is heard at the [ … ]
Collaborative Opportunities
Gain access to speaking roles at ECBA conferences and connect with peer organisations, EU institutions, and cross-border legal networks.
ECBA Collective Members
Vereinigung Ćsterreichischer StrafverteidigerInnen
Austria
ÄeskĆ” AdvokĆ”tnĆ Komora
Czech Republic
Association FranƧaise de Avocats PƩnalistes
France
Arbeitsgemeinschaft Strafrecht des Deutschen Anwaltvereins (DAV)
Germany
Bundesrechtsanwaltskammer (BRAK)
Germany
The Bar of Northern Ireland
Ireland
Associazione Studi Giuridico-Economici (ASGE)
Italy
Unione delle Camere Penali Italiane
Italy
Latvijas KriminÄllietu advokÄtu biedrÄ«ba
Latvia
Association luxembourgeoise des avocats pƩnalistes (ALAP)
Luxembourg
Advokatforeningen
Norway
Forum Penal
Portugal
Nederlandse Vereniging van StrafrechtAdvocaten (NVSA)
The Netherlands
Defence Extradiction Lawyers' Forum (DELF)
United Kingdom
Do you want to become a collective member?
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 ā 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!
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 Europeās 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.
Mutual Legal Assistance WG Webinars
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
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.
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 europĆ©enne 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 VĆ¢nia 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 aĀ joint responseĀ to INTERPOLās Committee on the Processing of Data (CPD) regarding proposed amendments to the CCF Statute.
ECBA & LATR Joint Submission: Reforming INTERPOLās Oversight – March 2026
The ECBA and Lawyers Against Transnational Repression (LATR) have submitted a joint response to INTERPOLās Committee on the Processing of Data (CPD) regarding proposed amendments to the CCF Statute.
Do you want our help to create a national criminal lawyers organisation in your country?
Does your country not yet have a dedicated organisation for criminal defence lawyers, or are you in the early stages of establishing one? We would be happy to help. From our own experience, we know how vital it is to unite criminal lawyers at a national level ā for the exchange of knowledge, advocacy, and the strengthening of the rule of law. We offer support in setting up a professional association that fits the legal and cultural context of your country. Whether it concerns structure, bylaws, networking or international cooperation: we are here to assist you.