View source for Eurojust

{{Short description|EU criminal law agency}}
{{Infobox government agency
| agency_name     = Eurojust
| type            = 
| seal            = 
| logo            = Eurojust 2022 logo.svg
| logo_width      = 275
| logo_caption    = 
| picture         = File:Eurojust-building-2017.jpg
| picture_width   = 275
| picture_caption = Eurojust headquarters in the World Forum area of The Hague, Netherlands
| formed          = {{Start date|2002|03|06|df=y}}
| preceding1      = 
| dissolved       = 
| superseding     = 
| jurisdiction    = [[European Union]]
| headquarters    = [[The Hague]], [[Netherlands]]
| coordinates     = <!--{{coord|LATITUDE|LONGITUDE|type:landmark_region:US|display=inline,title}}-->
| motto           = 
| employees       = 265 (2022)
| budget          = € 50.2 million (2022)
| chief1_name     = {{flagicon|Austria}} Michael Schmid
| chief1_position = President of Eurojust
| chief2_name     = {{flagicon|France}} Vincent Jamin
| chief2_position = Administrative Director
| chief3_name     = 
| chief3_position = 
| chief4_name     = 
| chief4_position = 
| chief5_name     = 
| chief5_position = 
| chief6_name     = 
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| parent_department = 
| keydocument1    = [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2018/1727/oj Regulation (EU) 2018/1727]
<!-- (etc.) -->| website         = {{URL|eurojust.europa.eu}}
| footnotes       = 
| map             = {{Location map many  | European Union
 | width         = 250px
 | label1        = The Hague
 | caption1      = 
 | position1     = right
 | coordinates1  = {{coord|52.092846|4.281521}}
}}
| map_width       = 275
| map_caption     = 
}}
The '''European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation''' ('''Eurojust''') is an [[Agencies of the European Union|agency]] of the [[European Union]] (EU) dealing with [[Judiciary|judicial]] co-operation in criminal matters among agencies of the [[Member state of the European Union|member states]]. It is seated in [[The Hague]], [[Netherlands]]. Established in 2002, it was created to improve handling of serious cross-border and [[Organized crime|organised crime]] by stimulating investigative and prosecutorial co-ordination.

Eurojust is composed of a college formed of 27 national members—experienced [[judge]]s, [[prosecutor]]s, or [[police officer]]s of equivalent competence from each EU member state. The terms and duties of the members are defined by the state that appoints them. Eurojust also co-operates with third states and other EU bodies such as the [[European Judicial Network in criminal matters|European Judicial Network]], [[Europol]] and the [[European Anti-fraud Office|OLAF]].

==History==
Eurojust was established as a result of a decision that the [[European Council]] of [[Tampere]] (15-16 October 1999) made to set up a permanent judicial co-operation unit in order to improve the fight against serious crime.<ref>{{cite web|title=TAMPERE EUROPEAN COUNCIL 15 AND 16 OCTOBER 1999 PRESIDENCY CONCLUSIONS|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/summits/tam_en.htm|access-date=7 February 2012}}</ref> The [[Treaty of Nice]] amended the Treaty on the European Union to include a reference to Eurojust.<ref>{{CELEX|12001C001|text=Treaty of Nice, Art. 1. pt. 7}}</ref> On 14 December 2000, a precursor organization called Pro-Eurojust was created by the [[Council of the European Union]] to permit [[prosecutors]] to test the Eurojust processes. It began operating in Brussels on 1 March 2001.<ref name="europa1">{{cite web|title=The history of Eurojust|url=http://www.eurojust.europa.eu/about.htm|access-date=7 February 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209031522/http://www.eurojust.europa.eu/about.htm|archive-date=9 February 2012}}</ref> The [[September 11 attacks|terrorist attacks in the U.S. in September of that year]] demonstrated strongly the need for international cooperation, speeding the development of Eurojust, which was then established in February 2002 by Council Decision 2002/187/JHA.<ref name="autogenerated2010">{{cite book|title=The institutional dimension of the European Union's Area of Freedom, Security and Justice|year=2010|publisher=Peter Lang|location=Brussels|isbn=978-90-5201-615-3|author=Maylis Labayle|author2=Hans G. Nilsson|editor=Jörg Monar|chapter=The Role and organisation of Eurojust: added value for judicial co-operation in criminal matters}}</ref><ref>{{CELEX|32002D0187|text=2002/187/JHA: Council Decision of 28 February 2002 setting up Eurojust with a view to reinforcing the fight against serious crime}}</ref> The new organization settled in The Hague on 29 April 2003.<ref>{{CELEX|42004D0097|text=2004/97/EC,Euratom: Decision taken by common agreement between the Representatives of the Member States, meeting at Head of State or Government level, of 13 December 2003 on the location of the seats of certain offices and agencies of the European Union}}</ref>

Since its establishment, Eurojust has focused heavily on forging international co-operation agreements and building international contact points, including the basing at Eurojust of several liaison prosecutors (Norway, Switzerland, Montenegro and the United States).<ref name="europa1"/> In addition to these four nations, it has co-operation agreements with Europol, OLAF, [[European Police College|CEPOL]], the European Judicial Training Network, [[United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime|UNODC]], IberRed,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iberred.org/ |title=Red Iberoamericana de Cooperación Jurídica Internacional|publisher=iberred.org |access-date=24 August 2024|lang=es}}</ref> [[Croatia]] (before it entered the European Union on 1 July 2013, thus joining EUROJUST), Iceland, and [[Republic of North Macedonia| North Macedonia]].<ref name="europa1"/>

The New Council Decision on the Strengthening of Eurojust was signed in July 2008 to enhance Eurojust's cooperation with partners and third States and to generally strengthen its operational capabilities.<ref name="europa1"/>

Council Decision 2002/187/JHA was completely replaced with Regulation (EU) 2018/1727 which entered into force on the twentieth day following the publication in the Official Journal of the European Union on the 21.11.2018.<ref>{{CELEX|32018R1727|text=Regulation (EU) 2018/1727 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 November 2018 on the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust), and replacing and repealing Council Decision 2002/187/JHA}}</ref>

==Functions==

===Types of crimes and offences===
According to the Eurojust Decision, Eurojust may act when two or more Member states are affected crimes in which [[Europol]] is entitled to act, including [[organised crime]], [[terrorism]] and other forms of serious crime ([[Illegal drug trade|unlawful drug trafficking]], illegal [[Money laundering|moneylaundering]] activities, crime connected with nuclear and radioactive substances, [[Illegal immigration|illegal immigrant smuggling]], [[Human trafficking|trafficking in human beings]], motor vehicle crime, [[murder]], grievous bodily injury, illicit [[Organ trade|trade in human organs and tissue]], [[kidnapping]], illegal restraint and hostage taking, [[racism]] and xenophobia, organised robbery, illicit trafficking in cultural goods, including antiquities and works of art, swindling and [[fraud]], [[racketeering]] and extortion, [[counterfeiting]] and [[product piracy]], [[forgery]] of administrative documents and trafficking therein, forgery of money and means of payment, [[computer crime]], [[corruption]], illicit [[Arms trafficking|trafficking in arms]], ammunition and explosives, illicit trafficking in endangered animal species, illicit trafficking in endangered plant species and varieties, [[environmental crime]], illicit trafficking in hormonal substances and other growth promoters).<ref>{{CELEX|32009D0371|text=Council Decision of 6 April 2009 establishing the European Police Office (Europol)}}[[File:CC-BY icon.svg|50px]]  Text was copied from this source, which is available under a [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License].</ref> It may also act on other types of crime if they are committed together with one of the above or if it is requested by a member state.<ref>{{CELEX|02002D0187-20090604|tab=NOT|text=Eurojust Decision Art. 4}}</ref> In 2010, about 10% of the cases handled by Eurojust fell into this category.<ref name="europa2011">{{cite book|title=Eurojust Annual Report 2010|year=2011|isbn=978-92-95029-53-8|url=http://www.eurojust.europa.eu/press_annual_report_2010.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123101523/http://www.eurojust.europa.eu/press_annual_report_2010.htm|archive-date=2012-01-23}}</ref>

[[File:Netherlands, The Hague, International Criminal Court.JPG|thumb|The former Eurojust building in [[The Hague]], formerly the interim HQ of the [[International Criminal Court|ICC]]]]

Eurojust's primary focus are on crimes that represent a "special threat" to citizens, such as terrorism, drug trafficking, trafficking in human beings, cybercrime, fraud, corruption, money laundering and other economic crime.<ref name="europa2011"/>

===Tasks===
Eurojust is not empowered to investigate or prosecute crimes, but instead works to coordinate investigations and prosecutions between the EU Member States when dealing with cross-border crime.<ref name="autogenerated2010"/><ref>{{cite book|last=Horváth|first=Zoltán|title=Handbook on the European Union|year=2012|publisher=HVGorac|location=Budapest|isbn=978-963-258-146-0}}</ref> They may also assist investigations and prosecutions between a requesting Member State and a non-Member State where a co-operation agreement exists or where there is special need.<ref>{{CELEX|02002D0187-20090604|tab=NOT|text=Eurojust Decision Art. 3 (2)}}</ref>

Eurojust's tasks may vary depending on whether it is acting a college or through national members. Among other tasks, Eurojust may:<ref name="autogenerated2010"/>
*Ask competent authorities in Member States to investigate or prosecute specific acts, accept that one Member State may be the better jurisdiction for investigation or prosecution, co-ordinate with other Member States, set up a joint investigation team, or supply information to Eurojust;
*Ensure that Member States communicate with one another about relevant investigations and prosecutions;
*Assist Member States in ensuring co-ordination or improving co-operation;
*Co-operate and consult with the European Judicial Network.<ref>{{CELEX|02002D0187-20090604|tab=NOT|text=Eurojust Decision Art. 6 and 7}}</ref>
*Assist Europol, particularly by providing opinions based on Europol analyses (as a College);
*Supply logistical support such as assistance for translation, interpretation and the organisation of co-ordination meetings (as a College).<ref>{{CELEX|02002D0187-20090604|tab=NOT|text=Eurojust Decision Art. 7}}</ref>
*Ask authorities of Member States to take special investigative measures or other measures justified for investigation or prosecution (through national members);
*Assist investigations and prosecutions concerning the competent authorities of only one Member State, where the European Union itself or a non-Member State are involved (through national members with agreement of the College).<ref>{{CELEX|02002D0187-20090604|tab=NOT|text=Eurojust Decision Art. 6}}</ref>

As Eurojust is tasked with facilitating the execution of [[letters rogatory]] and [[extradition request]]s, it also may act on [[European Arrest Warrant]]s (EAW).<ref>{{cite book|title=Handbook on the European Arrest Warrant|year=2004|publisher=T.M.C Asser Press|location=The Hague|isbn=978-90-6704-181-2|author=José Luis Lopes da Mota|author2=Roelof Jan Manschot|editor=Rob Blekxtoon|chapter=Eurojust and the European arrest warrant}}</ref> When more than one EAW exists for one individual, Eurojust may advise the judicial authority that executes the EAW which should take priority and may also facilitate communication between the judicial authorities involved. It is also the body to which member states may report delays in execution of EAWs of the reason for such delay. In 2010, a total of 280 cases concerning the execution of EAWs were registered at Eurojust, amounting to almost 20 per cent of all cases.<ref name="europa2011"/>

Eurojust may also take part in a joint investigation team (JIT) or, on request of a member state, help establish one and/or assist in managing one administratively or by securing funding. Such teams are created on the agreement of two or more involved parties for a specific purpose and limited time to carry out criminal investigations in one or more of the member states involved.<ref>{{CELEX|32000F0712(02)|tab=ALL|text=Council Act of 29 May 2000 establishing in accordance with Article 34 of the Treaty on European Union the Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters between the Member States of the European Union}}</ref><ref>{{CELEX|02002F0465-20220310|text=Consolidated text: Council Framework Decision of 13 June 2002 on joint investigation teams (2002/465/JHA)}}</ref> JITs were established on the belief that cross-state teams of investigators and judicial authorities with clear legal authority and defined roles would improve the fight against organised crime.<ref>{{cite web|title=Joint Investigation Teams Manual|url=https://www.europol.europa.eu/content/page/jit-manual-995|access-date=7 February 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120123091247/https://www.europol.europa.eu/content/page/jit-manual-995|archive-date=23 January 2012}}</ref>

===Caseload===
Eurojust has handled an increasingly heavy caseload since its creation. In 2002, it was contacted in 202 cases. In 2016, member states sought assistance with 2,306 new cases. The majority cases involve two member states; in 2010, one-fifth of the cases involved three or more countries. Eurojust also organised 249 co-ordination meetings between representatives of national authorities and EU bodies in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurojust.europa.eu/doclibrary/corporate/eurojust%20Annual%20Reports/Annual%20Report%202016/AR2016_EN_web.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2017-06-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813000127/http://www.eurojust.europa.eu/doclibrary/corporate/eurojust%20Annual%20Reports/Annual%20Report%202016/AR2016_EN_web.pdf |archive-date=2017-08-13 }}</ref>

==Administration==

The College of Eurojust is supported by the administration. As head of the Eurojust administration, the Administrative Director is responsible for the day-to-day management of Eurojust, including budget and staff management. The administrative organisation is composed of units, services and secretariats: the Accounting Office, Budget, Finance and Procurement Unit, College Secretariat, Corporate Communications Office, Data Protection Service, Events and Logistics Office, Human Resources Unit, Information Management Unit, Institutional Affairs Office, Legal Affairs Office, Operations Unit, Planning, Programming & Reporting Office and Security, Facility & General Services.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurojust.europa.eu/about/structure/administration/Pages/AD-office.aspx|title=Administrative Director|website=www.eurojust.europa.eu}}</ref>

==International cooperation ==

Eurojust maintains cooperation agreements with 14 non-EU member states. The latest, [[Armenia]], signed a cooperation agreement with Eurojust on 5 April 2024.<ref>[http://www.parliament.am/news.php?cat_id=2&NewsID=21002&year=2024&month=09&day=09&lang=eng Parliament debates legislative initiative aimed at developing the cooperation between the competent bodies of Eurojust and Armenia]</ref>

==Future developments==
The  [[Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union]] (TFEU) addresses several changes to Eurojust. Article 85<ref>{{CELEX|12008E085|text=Article 85 TFEU}}</ref> extends its scope to including serious crime not only affecting two or more member states, but also requiring prosecution on a common basis. The new wording of the Treaty mentions that by means of [[Regulation (European Union)|regulations]] adopted in accordance with the [[ordinary legislative procedure]], the European Parliament and the Council shall determine Eurojust's structure, operation, field of action and tasks, which may include initiating criminal investigations or proposing the initiation of prosecutions, coordinating such investigations and prosecutions and strengthening judicial co-operation. Article 86<ref>{{CELEX|12008E086|text=Article 86 TFEU}}</ref> provides for the  possibility of establishing a [[European Public Prosecutor]]’s Office (EPPO) from Eurojust in order to combat crimes affecting the financial interests of the Union. The EPPO may be established by the Council, according to a [[Legislature of the European Union|special legislative procedure]], acting unanimously and after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament. The Treaty provides also for the possibility to create it by [[enhanced co-operation]] established by at least nine Member States.

The [[Stockholm Programme]] refers several times to the role of Eurojust. In particular, it states that “in the field of judicial co-operation, the European Council emphasises the need for Member States and Eurojust to implement thoroughly Council Decision 2009/426/JHA of 16 December 2008 on the strengthening of Eurojust, which, together with the Lisbon Treaty, offers an opportunity for the further development of Eurojust in the coming years, including in relation to initiation of investigations and resolving conflicts of competence. On the basis of an assessment of the implementation of this instrument, new possibilities could be considered in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Treaty, including giving further powers to the Eurojust national members, reinforcement of the powers of the College of Eurojust or the setting-up of a European Public Prosecutor”.

==See also==
*[[Area of freedom, security and justice]]
*[[European Public Prosecutor]]
*[[Europol]]
*[[Police and Judicial Co-operation in Criminal Matters]]
*[[eu-LISA]]

== Notes ==
<references/>

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.eurojust.europa.eu/}}
* [https://e-justice.europa.eu E-Justice]
* Goldirova, Renata. [http://euobserver.com/9/23880 "Brussels seeks more powers for EU crime body"]. [[EUobserver]], 17 April 2007.

{{Agencies of the European Union|state=uncollapsed}}
{{European Union topics|state=collapsed}}
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[[Category:Agencies of the European Union]]
[[Category:Law enforcement in Europe]]
[[Category:2002 establishments in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:2002 in the European Union]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 2002]]
[[Category:Organisations based in The Hague]]