Business Crime
Corruption & Bribery
The UN Human Rights Council (UN HRC) highlights the link between combating corruption and protecting human rights, as noted in reports by the HRC’s Advisory Committee and the UN High Commissioner for HR. Corruption weakens state institutions and the rule of law.
This sub-working group enhances defence practitioners’ understanding of legal frameworks addressing bribery and corruption, while ensuring compliance with fundamental rights and procedural safeguards as per the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
The group has launched knowledge-sharing initiatives, collaborated with major audit firms and Chambers of Commerce, participated in key conferences, developed a cross-border case simulation model, participated in tenders, and conducted internal training. We published nine country-specific reports and established a Europe-wide network of professionals experienced in corruption cases.
Coordinator: Amedeo Barletta
Amedeo Barletta, PhD, has over 20 years’ experience in complex criminal law cases, with multiple jurisdictions implications, advising companies and individuals.
Coordinator: Vladimir Hrle
Vladimir Hrle is a lawyer with 20 years of experience, widely recognised for his work at the intersection of business crime and corporate criminal liability and international human rights law.
Contact: business.crime.wg@ecba.org
If you are an ECBA member interested in joining a working group, please email us, providing a brief outline of your reasons for wanting to join.
Latest Posts
ECBA Spring Conference 2026, 24 and 25 April in Barcelona, Spain
The conference brought together European criminal defence lawyers for expert discussions on procedural safeguards, fundamental rights and cross-border defence practice.
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.
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.
Update of the Country reports on Bribery and Corruption
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.
Current and future initiatives
The ECBA Business Crime working group is engaged in a variety of current and future initiatives, ranging from legislative monitoring to practical projects supporting defence rights across Europe. Members are warmly invited to join specific projects within this groups, contributing their expertise and shaping the outcomes together.
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.
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.
Update of the Country reports on Bribery and Corruption
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.