Criminal matters: judicial co-operation

Introductory website: With the different measures adopted to strengthen the European single market, it has become easier for criminals to operate transnationally, especially since the scope of the law-enforcement authorities within the European Union (EU) is still largely limited to the boundaries of their respective States. Just as mutual recognition of national standards was essential in achieving the European single market, mutual recognition of decisions taken by national judges is set to become the cornerstone of judicial cooperation in criminal matters. The aim of judiciary cooperation is also to ensure that individuals have their rights guaranteed equally, no matter under which Member State's jurisdiction their case is being heard.