Conference programme

The historical significance and the role of Pro-Eurojust in shaping modern judicial
cooperation in the European Union

Where is the line between a legitimate business courtesy and an improper advantage? The panel brings together legal practitioners with experience in external legal counsel and in-house positions to unpack the grey zone of gifts, hospitality, and promotional expenses. Through real-world scenarios, we will explore how multinational companies navigate anti-corruption frameworks, cultural expectations, and internal policies. The discussion will address risk-assessment tools, red flags, documentation practices, and effective training strategies

Challenges posed to criminal justice in the age of technology
Exploring Contemporary Legal Frontiers and Dilemmas

The panel will address the profound changes brought by technology to the field of criminal law, highlighting both opportunities and unprecedented challenges. Topics to be discussed include the use of artificial intelligence in court proceedings, data protection, collection, and validity of digital evidence, as well as the difficulties in investigating and punishing transnational offences. Specialists from the legal and technology sectors will offer insights into the need for legislative updates, risks to effective criminal defence, balancing security and privacy, and the ethical role of law in the face of disruptive innovation. The goal is to promote critical and plural debate on how criminal law can effectively and fairly adapt to the rapid technological changes that are reshaping contemporary society. This summary has not been prepared with the assistance of AI!

The recent tripartite agreement between France’s Parquet National Financier (PNF), Switzerland’s Office of the Attorney General (OAG), and the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO), formalised the creation of the International Anti-Corruption Prosecutorial Taskforce. With the United States’ pivot away from the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act the panel will consider the current state of international law enforcement in Europe, the US and the Middle East and to what extent the new Taskforce signifies any real change.

This session will explore various practical aspects relating to the preparation of a trial. More particularly, the panellists will delve into the differences between civil and common law jurisdictions and address issues such as the preparation of witnesses, the appointment of experts, the importance of oral pleadings, the composition of the court and the cross-examination strategies and techniques. of the world.

In many places around the world there are complaints about the overburdening of justice systems, quickly leading to calls such as ‘We must make criminal proceedings more effective!’ Justice systems are allegedly becoming increasingly expensive and complicated. But isn't it rather due to limited budgets and staff shortages? Must we accept that the necessary adjustments go hand in hand with curtailing defence rights? Are there other possibilities? Could AI offer an option?

This panel will address the critical challenges facing modern justice systems, examining how resource constraints and case backlogs impact the fundamental rights of defendants. The discussion will explore practical solutions and best practices for maintaining due process standards while managing overwhelming caseloads.
 

A revolution of its kind, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) is the first supranational  financial prosecutorial organisation with jurisdiction over individuals and companies accused of offences against the financial interest of the European Union (EU). As an independent body, the EPPO can conduct investigations in one or several of the 24 out of 27 participating EU Member 
States when offences are committed and can prosecute in the State of its choice. By 31 December  2024, the EPPO had 2,666 active investigations for an estimated damage of over €24.8 billion. Most 
of the crime reports received by the EPPO have come from private parties. Civil plaintiffs may appear in their proceedings. 

Companies and individuals worldwide that would engage in unlawful activities when dealing with the  EU need to understand that this is an authority to count with. With experts from Europe and beyond,  the panel will address the leading role taken by the EPPO in global financial prosecution, its challenges, future and its ever-growing interactions with the rest of the world.

This panel brings together leading practitioners and a judge from the US, UK and continental Europe (France and Greece) to examine one of the most challenging issues in modern criminal law and cross-border investigations: the collateral use of evidence. Drawing on experience from the bar, the bench and law enforcement, the speakers will explore when and how evidence obtained for one purpose should be reused in other or parallel proceedings.