Belgrade, 7 - 8 November 20111 European Arrest Warrant – Actual Challenges Dr. Christian Johnson

Belgrade, 7 - 8 November 2011 1

European Arrest Warrant – Actual Challenges

Dr. Christian Johnson


European Arrest Warrant (EAW)

• 1. European Arrest Warrant• 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


EAW: History

1957 Council of Europe Convention on ExtraditionArticle 1: Obligation to extraditeArticle 2: Extraditable offences / Dual criminalityArticle 3: Political offencesArticle 6: No obligation to extradite nationals


EAW: History

• 19 September 2001: Commission proposal

• 6/7 December 2001: Political agreement

• 13 June 2002: Formal adoption


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


EAW: Key features

List offences / double criminality

Surrender of own nationals


EAW: Follow-up

Implementation

Commission reports

Evaluation of all Member States

Experts on the EAW

European handbook how to issue an EAW

Statistical data


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)


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?



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



Optional ground: Article 4 No. 6 - EAW for execution of a sentence against national or resident of executing Member StateRequest for takeover? 1983 CoE Convention?No problem: National / but: resident?ECJ – C-123/08 – „Wolzenburg“


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


Miscellaneous: Judicial authorities

Framework Decision: System of surrender between judicial authorities

No political influence


Miscellaneous: Time limits (receipt of EAW)

No provision in the FD

Some Member States: 40 days (= 1957 Convention)

Other Member States: various deadlines


Miscellaneous: Language requirements

Translation into the official language of the executing Member State

Future: one working language?


Miscellaneous: Accessory surrender

1957 Convention: possible

EAW: no provision

Practice of Member States: diverging


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


Miscellaneous: Prison conditions

European Convention on Human Rights


Summary

System of effective and efficient surrender among 27 Member States

No consent: 48 days / consent: 14-17 days

Grounds for refusal / proportionality


European Arrest Warrant – Actual Challenges

All information: www.ejn-crimjust.europa.eu

Thank you for your attention!

Dr. Christian JohnsonHead of Department

Extradition, Mutual Legal Assistance, Enforcement of Sentences, EAWFederal Office of Justice / Bundesamt für Justiz

Adenauerallee 99 – 103, D-53113 Bonn, GermanyTel. 49 (0) 228 99 410 - 5300

[email protected]

Documents

Belgrade, 7 - 8 November 20111 European Arrest Warrant – Actual Challenges Dr. Christian Johnson