EUROJUST

Promoting cooperation and coordination

Eurojust's main role is to promote cooperation and coordination between the competent judicial authorities in the EU countries involved in investigations and prosecutions of serious cross-border criminal cases.

These include:

• drug trafficking;
• trafficking of human beings;
• counterfeiting;
• money laundering;
• criminal offences affecting the European Community's financial interests;
• environmental crime; and
• terrorism.

Eurojust structure

Each EU country must appoint a national member of Eurojust:

• a prosecutor;
• judge; or
• police officer with equivalent competences.

These 27 national members are assisted by deputies and assistants. They are all subject to the national laws of the EU country which appointed them. The minimum length of the term of office served by national members is four years.

Improving judicial cooperation

Regarding investigations and prosecutions (concerning at least two EU countries) in relation to serious crime, Eurojust has jurisdiction over:

• promoting coordination between the competent authorities of the various EU countries.
  For example, Eurojust may organise meetings to set up a common strategy and coordinate the actions of various national authorities (planning simultaneous arrests, searches, seizures of property);
• facilitating the execution of requests and decisions relating to judicial cooperation.
  For example, European Arrest Warrants and other mutual recognition instruments.

This leads to more efficient investigations and prosecutions and helps to disrupt cross-border criminal organisations operating in different countries.

"24/7" action

Eurojust may fulfil its tasks through one or more of the national members, or on a collegiate basis.
For instance, Eurojust may ask authorities in the EU countries to:

• carry out an investigation or prosecution ;
• set up a joint investigation team ;
• take special or other investigative measures.

An On-Call Coordination (OCC) is to be established, involving one representative from each EU country and with a contact point at Eurojust. It will be active 24 hours a day, seven days a week, thus enabling Eurojust to fulfil its tasks at all times.

Relations with other bodies

In order to carry out its tasks, Eurojust maintains privileged relations with the:

• European Judicial Network (EJN);
• European Police Office (Europol);
• European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF);
• European External Borders Agency (Frontex);
• Joint Situation Centre of the Council.

After approval by the Council, Eurojust is able to conclude cooperation agreements on the exchange of information with non-EU countries, international organisations and other bodies.

For more information you can consult Eurojust's website.