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ECA: Achievements of Recovery and Resilience Facility at Risk
In a special report on the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the European Court of Auditors (ECA) warned that EU Member States might not be able to draw down or absorb the funds in time and complete their planned measures before the RRF expires in August 2026. As a result, the expected economic and social benefits might not be achieved. Read more
EU
Protection of Financial Interests
OLAF’s Operational Work July-September 2024
This news item summarises OLAF’s operational work between 1 July and 30 September 2024 in reverse chronological order. It follows the reports on operations supported by OLAF in → eucrim 1/2024, 17-18. Read more
EU
OLAF
Reform of CJEU Statute: Amendments to the Rules of Procedure in Force
This news item provides an overview of the amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Court of Justice and of the General Court that entered into force on 1 September 2024. The reform package includes a new version of the Practice Directions to Parties concerning cases brought before the Court of Justice and a new version of the General Court's Practice Rules for the implementation of its Rules of Procedure. Read more
EU
European Court of Justice (ECJ)
Spotlight ECJ Ruled on Fundamental Rights Test for Surrenders to the United Kingdom
On 29 July 2024, the ECJ delivered an important judgment on the conditions under which surrender of a person can be granted by a EU Member State to the United Kingdom (UK). The Court interpreted the fundamental rights clause enshrined in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) between the European Union and the United Kingdom and held that the surrender mechanism under the TCA differs from the one provided by the EU’s Framework Decision on the European Arrest Warrant. Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
Brexit
European Arrest Warrant
Judicial Cooperation
General Court Ruled on Necessary Protective Measures for Whistleblower in the EP
In a judgment of 11 September 2024, the General Court (GC) strengthened the rights of whistleblowers who brought to light incidents within European institutions. The GC clarified the scope of protective measures to be provided by the institution. Read more
EU
European Parliament
OLAF
Victim Protection
ECJ: Criminally Prosecuted Minors Must Have Lawyer’s Assistance during First Police Questioning
In its judgment of 5 September 2024, the ECJ ruled that several provisions of the Polish Code of Criminal Procedure and legal practices are incompatible with the rights of minors charged with a criminal offence. The Court particularly blamed the Polish police for not having guaranteed the assistance by a lawyer during the first questioning of the minor and for not having him adequately informed of his rights. Read more
Council of Europe
Procedural Safeguards
Eurobarometer: Citizens and Businesses Remain Concerned over Corruption
On 24 July 2024, in parallel to its 2024 Rule of Law Report (→ related link), the Commission released the results of two Eurobarometer surveys on the perception of corruption in the EU: Special Eurobarometer 548 - Citizens’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU … Read more
EU
Corruption
Commission’s 2024 Rule of Law Report
On 24 July 2024, the Commission published its 5th Rule of Law Report. The Rule of Law Report includes 27 country chapters and examines developments – both positive and negative – across all EU Member States in four key areas for the rule of … Read more
EU
Rule of Law
Commission
General Court Ruled on Irregularities by Former EU Auditor
On 11 September 2024, the General Court (GC) ruled for the first time on the legality of procedures of the European Court of Auditors (ECA) and OLAF vis-à-vis alleged irregularities committed by a former ECA member.The GC largely upheld the ECA’s decision on the … Read more
EU
OLAF
Protection of Financial Interests
Spotlight 35th Annual PIF Report
On 25 July 2024, the European Commission adopted the 35th Annual Report on the protection of the European Union’s financial interests and the fight against fraud in 2023 (PIF Report). The irregular amounts related to fraud cases increased to €585.8 million (+103% compared to 2022). Read more
EU
Protection of Financial Interests
GRECO: Fifth Round Evaluation Report on Armenia
On 18 April 2024, GRECO published its 5th round evaluation report on Armenia.The country has been a member of GRECO since 2004. It has been subject to four evaluation rounds with 75% of GRECO recommendations implemented in the joint first and second evaluation … Read more
Council of Europe
Corruption
Draft Bill for New German Law on International Cooperation in Criminal Matters
On 11 September 2024, the German Federal Ministry of Justice presented a draft for a recast of the German Act on International Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters (Gesetz über die Internationale Rechtshilfe in Strafsachen - IRG). The draft revises, restructures and modernises the … Read more
EU
Judicial Cooperation
GRECO: Fifth Round Evaluation Report on the Republic of Moldova
On 4 March 2024, GRECO presented its 5th round evaluation report on the Republic of Moldova. The country has been a member of GRECO since 2001 and undergone four evaluation rounds.93% of recommendations were implemented in the first evaluation round, 67% in the … Read more
Council of Europe
Corruption
GRECO: Fifth Round Evaluation Report on the Czech Republic
On 4 March 2024, GRECO presented its 5th round evaluation report on the Czech Republic. The country has been a member of GRECO since 2002, with a good track record in implementing GRECO recommendations: 89% of the first evaluation round have been fully implemented, … Read more
Council of Europe
Corruption
ECJ Ruled on Reporting Obligations for Aggressive Tax Planning
In its judgment of 29 July 2024, the ECJ upheld the EU’s system on reporting obligations for intermediaries to inform tax authorities of certain cross-border arrangements that could potentially be used for aggressive tax planning. The ECJ particularly did not consider that the underlying EU legislation is invalid. Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
Tax Evasion
Berlin Regional Court’s EncroChat Battle – Third Round
In an order of 4 July 2024, the ECJ dealt with procedural effects of the EncroChat case. The reference for preliminary ruling (Case C-288/24, M.R. v Staatsanwaltschaft Berlin or “Stegmon”) only indirectly concerns the criminal investigations related to EncroChat. The question … Read more
EU
Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
European Court of Justice (ECJ)
European Investigation Order
Law Enforcement Cooperation