European Union Law

European Lawyers Foundation

The European Lawyers Foundation (ELF) is a network of law societies and bars in Europe which is focused on training. Current projects include an exchange scheme for lawyers in Europe to enhance practical knowledge of other European legal systems, training on the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, EU Criminal Law, EU asylum and immigration law and capacity building for lawyers involved with cases taken to the ICC. ELF publications can be freely downloaded from the site.

European Criminal Bar Association

The European Criminal Bar Association (ECBA) is an independent organisation of specialist defence lawyers based in Council of Europe countries. The aim of the ECBA is to promote “the fundamental rights of persons under criminal investigation, suspects, accused and convicted persons”. Details of working groups covering e-evidence, human rights, extradition and European Arrest Warrant and anti-corruption in Europe are given on the site along with their working documents.

European Criminal Law Association

Website of the European Criminal Law Association (ECLA) (UK) a membership organisation of lawyers and academics concerned with the development of criminal law in Europe. The ECLA was previously known as the Association to Combat Fraud in Europe. A selection of reports and articles by members of ECLA are made freely available on the site. These deal with issues including organised crime, corruption, law enforcement and Brexit. Details of past and future events are also given along with a list of committee members and a copy of the ECLA constitution.

European Criminal Law Academic Network

The European Criminal Law Academic Network (ECLAN) is an organisation of researchers and academics from 32 countries specialising in EU criminal law. The aims of ECLAN include facilitating collaboration between universities and developing academic research and training in the field of EU criminal law. ECLAN organises conferences and summer schools details of which are given online. Details of publications are also given with a selection of reports and articles made freely available.

European Public Prosecutor’s Office

Website of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), the independent public prosecution office of the European Union, which is responsible for “investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU”. The crimes investigated include fraud, money laundering and corruption. A section setting out the EPPO’s legal framework  includes links to the EPPO directive (established the EPPO) and the PIF (protection of the union's financial interests) directive which sets out which crimes the EPPO deals with.

EPPO-LEX The legal research library on the European Public Prosecutor's Office

The EPPO-LEX website is a private initiative aimed at legal practitioners and researchers working with the EPPO Regulation (Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939) which established the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. The EPPO is responsible for investigating and prosecuting financial crimes against the EU. There is an annotated version of the Regulation which includes explanations and links to relevant provisions of the EPPO’s internal Rules of Procedures, other relevant EU legal acts and decisions of the EPPO College and the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).

Unified Patent Court

The Unified Patent Court (UPC) is part of the European unitary patent system that provides uniform protection across all participating countries. It was established by the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court (UPCA) 2013 and is currently used by 17 EU member states who are signatories to the Agreement. There is information on the jurisdiction and structure of the Court which comprises a Court of First Instance, a Court of Appeal, and a Registry.

Unitary Patent System

This part of the European Commission website outlines the unitary patent system which was launched in June 2023. The unitary patent provides uniform protection across EU countries who are signatories to the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court (UPC) with the Court providing a single, specialised patent jurisdiction. There is a guide to the unified system, official texts, including the Agreement on the Unified Patent Court, and other background documents.

Anti-Counterfeiting Group

Website of the Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG) an international  membership organisation representing businesses, brand owners, specialist lawyers and trademark agents. The ACG works with UK, EU and international governments and law enforcement agencies to tackle crime in counterfeit and pirated goods. There is information about the work of the ACG, news and events and a directory of members. Information guides are given on the dangers of fakes, intellectual property crime and proceeds of crime.

EU Exit Web Archive

The EU Exit Web Archive, maintained by the National Archives, is an online archive of documents providing an official UK reference point for EU law as it stood at the end of the Brexit implementation period. This collection consists of documents taken from EUR-Lex, including Treaties, legislative documents, case law, and the Official Journal of the EU, published up until 11pm GMT on December 31st 2020. The Archive can be searched using filters including keyword, type, date of document, status at EU exit, and language.

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