Collective Members

Writing a new Statement on the Directive on Combatting Corruption

21 Apr 2026 | Corruption & Bribery, Current and future initiatives Business Crime WG

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

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.

Global Legal Community Calls for the Release of Nasrin Sotoudeh – April 2026

10 Apr 2026 | Defending the Defence, Fair Trial Standards, Human Rights Committee

On 10 April 2026, the ECBA and a coalition of 30 international legal organisations issued a formal...

ECBA backs call for implementation of ECtHR and CJEU judgments

26 Mar 2026 | Fair Trial Standards, Human Rights Committee

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

20 Mar 2026 | Fair Trial Standards, Human Rights Committee

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

11 Mar 2026 | Evidence, International Co-operation, INTERPOL, LinkedIn IC, LinkedIn PSG, Procedural Safeguards, Remedies

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

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

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.

LEAP Athens 6-7 February 2026

6 Feb 2026 | Cybercrime, Tech & AI, E-Justice, AI & Lawtech, LinkedIn CTAI

Vice Chair Gwen Jansen – de Wolf represented the ECBA in the #LEAP2026 Annual Conference in Athens, organised by Fair Trials.

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.