European Arrest Warrant – Actual Challenges Dr. Christian Johnson Belgrade, 7 - 8 November 2011

European Arrest Warrant (EAW) a) History of the EAW b) Key features of the EAW c) Follow-up (reports / evaluation / handbook / statistics) 2. Actual challenges a) Double criminality b) Grounds for refusal c) Proportionality d) Miscellaneous 3. Summary Belgrade, 7 - 8 November 2011

EAW: History 1957 Council of Europe Convention on Extradition Article 1: Obligation to extradite Article 2: Extraditable offences / Dual criminality Article 3: Political offences Article 6: No obligation to extradite nationals Belgrade, 7 - 8 November 2011

EAW: History 19 September 2001: Commission proposal 6/7 December 2001: Political agreement 13 June 2002: Formal adoption Belgrade, 7 - 8 November 2011

EAW: Key features System of surrender between judicial authorities Principle of mutual recognition New terminology Central authorities: only practical and administrative assistance Deadlines for decision and surrender Belgrade, 7 - 8 November 2011

EAW: Key features List offences / double criminality Surrender of own nationals Belgrade, 7 - 8 November 2011

EAW: Follow-up Implementation Commission reports Evaluation of all Member States Experts on the EAW European handbook how to issue an EAW Statistical data Belgrade, 7 - 8 November 2011

Actual challenges: Double criminality Article 2 ECJ C-303/05 – „Advocaten voor de Wereld“ – on principle of legality Article 5 No. 3: return of own nationals – CoE 1983 Convention or EAW? (FD 2008/909) Belgrade, 7 - 8 November 2011

Actual challenges: Reasons for refusal Mandatory grounds Optional grounds: „The executing judicial authority may refuse …“ Dispute: Discretion for judicial authority or FD adressed to national legislator? Belgrade, 7 - 8 November 2011

Actual challenges: Reasons for refusal Optional ground: Article 4 No. 2 – prosecution for the same act in the executing Member State Optional ground: Article 4 No. 4 – criminal prosecution statute-barred and own jurisdiction Belgrade, 7 - 8 November 2011

Actual challenges: Reasons for refusal Optional ground: Article 4 No. 6 - EAW for execution of a sentence against national or resident of executing Member State Request for takeover? 1983 CoE Convention? No problem: National / but: resident? ECJ – C-123/08 – „Wolzenburg“ Belgrade, 7 - 8 November 2011

Actual challenges: Proportionality Article 2, but additional proportionality test in the issuing Member State? In the executing Member State? Specifically: EAWs to obtain testimony from suspects? Alternative: mla, video-conferencing Belgrade, 7 - 8 November 2011

Miscellaneous: Judicial authorities Framework Decision: System of surrender between judicial authorities No political influence Belgrade, 7 - 8 November 2011

Miscellaneous: Time limits (receipt of EAW) No provision in the FD Some Member States: 40 days (= 1957 Convention) Other Member States: various deadlines Belgrade, 7 - 8 November 2011

Miscellaneous: Language requirements Translation into the official language of the executing Member State Future: one working language? Belgrade, 7 - 8 November 2011

Miscellaneous: Accessory surrender 1957 Convention: possible EAW: no provision Practice of Member States: diverging Belgrade, 7 - 8 November 2011

Miscellaneous: Time limits (decision/surrender) EAW Article 17: decision 60 days after arrest EAW Article 23: physical surrender 10 days after final decision Germany: practical problems with 10 day-deadline Belgrade, 7 - 8 November 2011

Miscellaneous: Prison conditions European Convention on Human Rights Belgrade, 7 - 8 November 2011

Summary System of effective and efficient surrender among 27 Member States No consent: 48 days / consent: 14-17 days Grounds for refusal / proportionality Belgrade, 7 - 8 November 2011

European Arrest Warrant – Actual Challenges All information: www.ejn-crimjust.europa.eu Thank you for your attention! Dr. Christian Johnson Head of Department Extradition, Mutual Legal Assistance, Enforcement of Sentences, EAW Federal Office of Justice / Bundesamt für Justiz Adenauerallee 99 – 103, D-53113 Bonn, Germany Tel. 49 (0) 228 99 410 - 5300 christian.johnson@bfj.bund.de Belgrade, 7 - 8 November 2011