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ECJ: Victim Participation Not Required in Proceedings to Quash Convictions Rendered in absentia 
22 July 2026
Joscha Kanstinger Joscha Kanstinger in Issue 1/2026
On 23 April 2026, the ECJ delivered its judgment in Case C-24/26 PPU, Casotta, clarifying the scope of victims' rights under Directive 2012/29/EU in proceedings seeking to reopen criminal cases concluded by a final conviction rendered in the defendant’s absence. The ECJ also confirmed that Directive (EU) 2016/343 does not preclude Member States from granting persons convicted in absentia access to a new trial under more favourable conditions than those required by EU law. Read more
EU Procedural Safeguards Victim Protection
JIT to Focus on Deportation of Ukrainian Children 
24 April 2026
Cornelia Riehle LL.M. Cornelia Riehle LL.M. in Issue 1/2026
At the beginning of March 2026, the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) on alleged core international crimes in Ukraine, established in March 2022 (➝ eucrim 1/2024, pp. 8–9), had its mandate extended by another two years. The aim of the JIT is to facilitate … Read more
EU Ukraine conflict Eurojust Organised Crime Judicial Cooperation Victim Protection
THB and Labour Exploitation: Key Study Findings 
15 January 2026 (updated 5 months, 1 week ago)
Cornelia Riehle LL.M. Cornelia Riehle LL.M. in Issue 4/2025
In December 2025, the EU Anti-Trafficking Hub published a new study examining trafficking in human beings (THB) for the purpose of labour exploitation, drawing on examples from five EU countries. The study analyses how THB for labour exploitation is addressed across national systems, highlighting the complexity of existing legal frameworks and the persistent challenges in distinguishing trafficking from other forms of labour exploitation. Read more
EU Illegal Employment Trafficking in Human Beings Victim Protection
Help4U: New Digital Platform Boosts Youth Support Access 
5 January 2026
Cornelia Riehle LL.M. Cornelia Riehle LL.M. in Issue 4/2025
Europol and the Centre of Excellence in Terrorism, Resilience, Intelligence and Organised Crime Research (CENTRIC, a specialist research institute based at Sheffield Hallam University, UK) developed a new digital platform called “Help4U” to support children and teenagers experiencing sexual abuse or online harm. … Read more
EU Europol Victim Protection
Spotlight CJEU Strengthens Protection of Crime Victims by Requiring Compensation for Non-Material Harm 
2 December 2025
Dr. Anna Pingen Dr. Anna Pingen in Issue 3/2025
On 2 October 2025, the ECJ held that EU law precludes national compensation schemes for victims of violent intentional crimes that, as a matter of principle, exclude compensation for pain and suffering. Read more
EU Victim Protection
ETAF Urges Clarifications Ahead of 2026 Review of Whistleblower Protection Directive 
27 October 2025
Dr. Anna Pingen Dr. Anna Pingen in Issue 3/2025
On 17 September 2025, the European Tax Adviser Federation (ETAF) submitted comments to the European Commission ahead of the 2026 evaluation of the Whistleblower Protection Directive, calling for clearer terminology and reduced administrative burdens.The Directive establishes minimum EU-wide protections for individuals reporting breaches of … Read more
EU Victim Protection
Eurojust Launched New War Crimes & Genocide Project: National Authorities Against Impunity 
18 March 2025
Cornelia Riehle LL.M. Cornelia Riehle LL.M. in Issue 1/2025
On 12 February 2025, Eurojust launched a new project to combat impunity for war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. The new project, entitled "National Authorities Against Impunity (IMPNA)", aims to reduce safe havens for the perpetrators of CICs and thereby contribute to criminal accountability for such crimes. Read more
EU Eurojust Judicial Cooperation Victim Protection
ECJ Ordered Several Member States to Financial Penalties for Failing to Transpose Whistleblowers Directive 
17 March 2025
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl in Issue 1/2025
In rulings handed down on 6 March 2025, the ECJ sanctioned five EU Member States for having transposed the Whistleblowers Directive too late or not yet at all. Read more
EU Victim Protection
Key Challenges for Effective Response to Victims of Crime 
13 January 2025
Cornelia Riehle LL.M. Cornelia Riehle LL.M. in Issue 4/2024
On 28 November 2024, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) published a paper titled “Stepping up the response to victims of crime: FRA’s findings on challenges and solutions” The paper outlines the main challenges and solutions in promoting and protecting victims' rights … Read more
EU Fundamental Rights Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) Victim Protection
ECJ: Compensation to Victims of Violent Intentional Crime Must Be Available to All Family Members 
12 December 2024
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl in Issue 3/2024
In the context of a reference for a preliminary ruling from Italy, the ECJ ruled on 7 November 2024 that the Italian scheme on compensation for victims of violent intentional crime which makes the right to compensation dependent on the order of succession of a deceased person is incompatible with the Directive relating to compensation to crime victims. Read more
EU Victim Protection
ECJ Ruled on Res Judicata Effects of Administrative Court Decision before Criminal Courts 
28 October 2024
Dr. Anna Pingen Dr. Anna Pingen in Issue 3/2024
On 26 September 2024, the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) issued a judgment in Case C-792/22 ("Energotehnica") addressing the binding force of administrative court judgements for criminal proceedings and the primacy of EU law over conflicting national court decisions. Read more
EU Fundamental Rights Rule of Law Area of Freedom, Security and Justice Procedural Safeguards Victim Protection
General Court Ruled on Necessary Protective Measures for Whistleblower in the EP 
23 October 2024 (updated 1 year, 10 months ago)
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl in Issue 2/2024
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
Spotlight Anti-SLAPP Directive Published 
16 May 2024 (updated 1 day, 2 hours ago)
Dr. Anna Pingen Dr. Anna Pingen in Issue 1/2024
After the European Parliament and Council had finally signed the act on 11 April 2024, Directive (EU) 2024/1069 on protecting persons who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded claims or abusive court proceedings ("Strategic lawsuits against public participation" - commonly dubbed "SLAPP") was published … Read more
EU Legislation Victim Protection
Spotlight Commission Proposes Reform of Victims' Rights Directive 
22 September 2023 (updated 1 year, 8 months ago)
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl in Issue 2/2023
On 12 July 2023, the Commission proposed that the EU will have in place more far-reaching minimum standards for victims of crime. The legislative initiative amends the 2012 Victims' Rights Directive (2012/29). The amendments aim at improving support, access to information and justice, and the obtainment of compensation. Targeted measures will also be introduced for vulnerable victims, such as children or people with disabilities. Read more
EU Victim Protection
ECtHR: Grand Chamber Reinforces Protection of Whistleblowers 
3 April 2023
Dr. András Csúri Dr. András Csúri
With its Grand Chamber judgment of 14 February 2023 in the case Halet v. Luxembourg (application no. 21884/18), the ECtHR put an end to the long-lasting legal battle between one of the whistleblowers who triggered the LuxLeaks scandal and the state of Luxembourg. While previous judgments denied the defence of whistle-blower status according to Art. 10 ECHR (freedom of expression), the ECtHR’s Grand Chamber decided in the opposite and found a violation of Art. 10 ECHR. Read more
Council of Europe Victim Protection
Referral of 8 Member States to CJEU Over Protection of Whistleblowers 
30 March 2023
Dr. Anna Pingen Dr. Anna Pingen
On 15 February 2023, the Commission decided to refer the Czech Republic, Germany, Estonia, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, Hungary, and Poland to the Court of Justice for failing to transpose and notify national measures implementing the directive on the protection of persons who report breaches of … Read more
EU Victim Protection