EUROPEAN CRIMINAL LAW
ZINA AL JOUBORI
THE HAGUE UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCINCES
, International Bachelor of Law 2020-2021
Course
ProgramSummary
151515 European Criminal Law Y2 – Q1
By Zina Al Joubori
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Intro to EU Criminal Law (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law, p. 15-42.) ................................................. 3
EU Criminal law: Competence, Institutions and Legislation (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law, p. 43-
50) ................................................................................................................................................................ 4
EU Substantive Criminal Law ..................................................................................................................... 6
Principle legality (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 196-202.) .........................................................................6
Jurisdiction (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 208.) .........................................................................................8
The Objective and Subjective Element of the Crime (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 218-219.) ................. 10
Participation (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 224-227.) ............................................................................. 10
Inchoate Offences (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 224-227.)...................................................................... 10
Legal Entities (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 227-229.) ........................................................................... 10
Justification and Excuses (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 229-231.) .......................................................... 11
Euro Crimes (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 231.) ...................................................................... 11
Crimes Against Fair Competition. (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 232-233.).............................................. 12
Crimes Against (The Integrity of) The Financial Sector (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 233-234.) ............. 12
Crimes Against the Financial Interest of the Union. (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 234-235.) ................... 15
Crimes Against Human Dignity (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 235.) ....................................................... 15
Crimes Against the Democratic Society (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 235-236.) .................................... 15
Crimes Against the Integrity of Public Administration (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 236-237.) ............. 16
Crimes Against Public Health. (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 237.) .......................................................... 16
Crimes Against the Fair Administration of Justice. (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 237-238.) .................... 16
Crimes Against the Environment. (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 238.) ..................................................... 17
Crimes Against the Information Society. (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 238.)........................................... 17
Implementation into National Criminal Law. (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 243-246.) ............................. 17
Criminal Procedure. (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 247-250.) ..................................................... 17
Definitions ............................................................................................................................................................ 17
Sources ................................................................................................................................................................. 18
Right to fair trial .................................................................................................................................................... 20
Presumption of innocence and rights of the defense (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 260.) ........................ 23
Victim’s Rights (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 323-334.) ....................................................................... 24
Right to Prosecute (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 284- 306.)................................................................... 25
Cooperation in Criminal Matters under EU Law (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 373-400.) ........ 28
Bilateral cooperation ........................................................................................................................................... 29
Cooperation in criminal matters in Europe.......................................................................................................... 29
European arrest warrant (EAW) ......................................................................................................................... 29
Mutual Recognition ........................................................................................................................................... 32
Multilateral cooperation...................................................................................................................................... 36
1
, International Bachelor of Law 2020-2021
Course
ProgramSummary
151515 European Criminal Law Y2 – Q1
By Zina Al Joubori
EU Agencies ...................................................................................................................................................... 36
Europol .............................................................................................................................................................. 37
Eurojust ............................................................................................................................................................. 42
European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) ..................................................................................................... 44
2
, International Bachelor of Law 2020-2021
Course
ProgramSummary
151515 European Criminal Law Y2 – Q1
By Zina Al Joubori
INTRO TO EU CRIMINAL LAW (CIT ATION A. KLIP, EU CRIMINAL LA W, P. 15-42.)
What is the nature of the EU?
The EU is and remains an international organization made of sovereign States, despite its special
features (primacy, direct effects, etc.).
State sovereignty and the European integration process:
Three areas are particularly cherished by States (These are the core features of statehood):
Foreign policy: The Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) was created in 1993
(Treaty of Maastricht) and constitutes a separate entity.
Taxation; It is an exclusive competence of the Member States with a few exceptions
regarding indirect taxes (VAT, excise duties, etc.).
Criminal matters: Special rules were introduced by the Treaty of Maastricht in 1993 under
the umbrella of the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA).
Treaty of Maastricht and the pillar structure:
First pillar: so-called acquis communautaire.
Second pillar: CFSP.
Third pillar: JHA.
Impact of EU law on EU criminal law before Maastricht
Primacy applied to criminal law as well (Skanavi ruling).
Skanavi ruling: The Court of Justice recognized the MS exclusive power to impose criminal
penalties, but it argued that if the penalties are disproportionate to the offence, they constitute
a limitation of free movement.
Assimilation principle: MS are under an EU law obligation to treat infringements of EU law
as if they were infringements of similar national rules (Application to criminal law: the Greek
Maize case).
Greek Maize ruling:
o “23 It should be observed that where Community legislation does not specifically provide
any penalty for an infringement or refers for that purpose to national laws, regulations and
administrative provisions, Article 5 of the Treaty [principle of loyal cooperation] requires
the Member States to take all measures necessary to guarantee the application and
effectiveness of Community law .
o 24 For that purpose, whilst the choice of penalties remains within their discretion, they
must ensure in particular that infringements of Community law are penalized under
conditions, both procedural and substantive, which are analogous to those applicable to
infringements of national law of a similar nature and importance and which, in any event,
make the penalty effective, proportionate and dissuasive.
o 25 Moreover, the national authorities must proceed, with respect to infringements of
Community law, with the same diligence as that which they bring to bear in
implementing corresponding national laws.”
Maastricht treaty: A difficult compromise.
The JHA was given very ambitious objectives but weak instruments to achieve them:
• No legislative acts (instead, joint positions and actions, Conventions);
3
ZINA AL JOUBORI
THE HAGUE UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCINCES
, International Bachelor of Law 2020-2021
Course
ProgramSummary
151515 European Criminal Law Y2 – Q1
By Zina Al Joubori
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Intro to EU Criminal Law (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law, p. 15-42.) ................................................. 3
EU Criminal law: Competence, Institutions and Legislation (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law, p. 43-
50) ................................................................................................................................................................ 4
EU Substantive Criminal Law ..................................................................................................................... 6
Principle legality (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 196-202.) .........................................................................6
Jurisdiction (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 208.) .........................................................................................8
The Objective and Subjective Element of the Crime (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 218-219.) ................. 10
Participation (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 224-227.) ............................................................................. 10
Inchoate Offences (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 224-227.)...................................................................... 10
Legal Entities (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 227-229.) ........................................................................... 10
Justification and Excuses (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 229-231.) .......................................................... 11
Euro Crimes (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 231.) ...................................................................... 11
Crimes Against Fair Competition. (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 232-233.).............................................. 12
Crimes Against (The Integrity of) The Financial Sector (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 233-234.) ............. 12
Crimes Against the Financial Interest of the Union. (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 234-235.) ................... 15
Crimes Against Human Dignity (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 235.) ....................................................... 15
Crimes Against the Democratic Society (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 235-236.) .................................... 15
Crimes Against the Integrity of Public Administration (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 236-237.) ............. 16
Crimes Against Public Health. (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 237.) .......................................................... 16
Crimes Against the Fair Administration of Justice. (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 237-238.) .................... 16
Crimes Against the Environment. (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 238.) ..................................................... 17
Crimes Against the Information Society. (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 238.)........................................... 17
Implementation into National Criminal Law. (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 243-246.) ............................. 17
Criminal Procedure. (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 247-250.) ..................................................... 17
Definitions ............................................................................................................................................................ 17
Sources ................................................................................................................................................................. 18
Right to fair trial .................................................................................................................................................... 20
Presumption of innocence and rights of the defense (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 260.) ........................ 23
Victim’s Rights (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 323-334.) ....................................................................... 24
Right to Prosecute (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 284- 306.)................................................................... 25
Cooperation in Criminal Matters under EU Law (Citation A. Klip, EU Criminal Law p. 373-400.) ........ 28
Bilateral cooperation ........................................................................................................................................... 29
Cooperation in criminal matters in Europe.......................................................................................................... 29
European arrest warrant (EAW) ......................................................................................................................... 29
Mutual Recognition ........................................................................................................................................... 32
Multilateral cooperation...................................................................................................................................... 36
1
, International Bachelor of Law 2020-2021
Course
ProgramSummary
151515 European Criminal Law Y2 – Q1
By Zina Al Joubori
EU Agencies ...................................................................................................................................................... 36
Europol .............................................................................................................................................................. 37
Eurojust ............................................................................................................................................................. 42
European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) ..................................................................................................... 44
2
, International Bachelor of Law 2020-2021
Course
ProgramSummary
151515 European Criminal Law Y2 – Q1
By Zina Al Joubori
INTRO TO EU CRIMINAL LAW (CIT ATION A. KLIP, EU CRIMINAL LA W, P. 15-42.)
What is the nature of the EU?
The EU is and remains an international organization made of sovereign States, despite its special
features (primacy, direct effects, etc.).
State sovereignty and the European integration process:
Three areas are particularly cherished by States (These are the core features of statehood):
Foreign policy: The Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) was created in 1993
(Treaty of Maastricht) and constitutes a separate entity.
Taxation; It is an exclusive competence of the Member States with a few exceptions
regarding indirect taxes (VAT, excise duties, etc.).
Criminal matters: Special rules were introduced by the Treaty of Maastricht in 1993 under
the umbrella of the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA).
Treaty of Maastricht and the pillar structure:
First pillar: so-called acquis communautaire.
Second pillar: CFSP.
Third pillar: JHA.
Impact of EU law on EU criminal law before Maastricht
Primacy applied to criminal law as well (Skanavi ruling).
Skanavi ruling: The Court of Justice recognized the MS exclusive power to impose criminal
penalties, but it argued that if the penalties are disproportionate to the offence, they constitute
a limitation of free movement.
Assimilation principle: MS are under an EU law obligation to treat infringements of EU law
as if they were infringements of similar national rules (Application to criminal law: the Greek
Maize case).
Greek Maize ruling:
o “23 It should be observed that where Community legislation does not specifically provide
any penalty for an infringement or refers for that purpose to national laws, regulations and
administrative provisions, Article 5 of the Treaty [principle of loyal cooperation] requires
the Member States to take all measures necessary to guarantee the application and
effectiveness of Community law .
o 24 For that purpose, whilst the choice of penalties remains within their discretion, they
must ensure in particular that infringements of Community law are penalized under
conditions, both procedural and substantive, which are analogous to those applicable to
infringements of national law of a similar nature and importance and which, in any event,
make the penalty effective, proportionate and dissuasive.
o 25 Moreover, the national authorities must proceed, with respect to infringements of
Community law, with the same diligence as that which they bring to bear in
implementing corresponding national laws.”
Maastricht treaty: A difficult compromise.
The JHA was given very ambitious objectives but weak instruments to achieve them:
• No legislative acts (instead, joint positions and actions, Conventions);
3
