This course is intended as an introduction to EU criminal law and to the instruments for cooperation in criminal justice. It will consider the origins, legal framework and institutional system of criminal justice cooperation in the EU. The following issues will be highlighted:

- EU policy in criminal matters: from Maastricht to Lisbon
- The role of the European institutions and the European Court of Justice and the interplay with national criminal law
- Mutual legal assistance and mutual recognition (Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance, the European Arrest Warrant, mutual recognition as regard to sanctions and gathering of foreign evidence, the European Evidence Warrant)
- EU legislation regarding serious cross-border crime (organised crime, terrorism, money laundering, trafficking in human beings)
Police cooperation in the EU (Schengen Convention, Joint Investigation Teams, data exchange)
- Organisation of police and criminal justice cooperation (European Judicial Network, Eurojust, Europol, OLAF)
- Defence rights in the EU
- The future of European criminal justice under the Lisbon Treaty
Participants will have the opportunity to prepare in advance through an e-learning course via the ERA website, and to deepen their knowledge through case-studies and workshops during the summer course.

A visit to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg with the opportunity to attend a hearing will be an integral part of the programme.