European Criminal Law has developed into a complex, jagged subject matter, which at the same time has become increasingly important for everyday criminal law practice. On the one hand, this work aims to do comprehensive justice to the complexity of the matter without sacrificing readability. In order to achieve this, the book’s structure enables legal scholars and experienced practitioners to access the information relevant to them in a targeted manner and, at the same time, enables less-oriented readers to gain access to European Criminal Law. Thus, the volume both answers basic questions and offers discussion in more specialised areas. Written by experts in the field, the book offers discussions that are both of the highest academic standards and accessibly readable.

The European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) is competent to support action by the EU Member States’ law enforcement authorities and strengthen their cooperation in the fight against cross-border crime. Europol is not a ‘European FBI’ as it does not have executive powers. Nevertheless, its contribution to the activities of national police authorities is increasingly appreciated by practitioners, especially since the Agency is in an ideal position to process and exchange enormous amounts of personal data that are relevant for criminal investigations. This chapter examines Europol’s history, structure, competence and powers, as well as its relations with partners and the rules on its accountability. It also focuses on the crucial role that Europol plays in shaping EU criminal justice thanks to its Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessments, which set in motion a process at the European level by which the EU periodically identifies its priorities for the fight against serious international crime (the Policy Cycle-EMPACT). This chapter also analyses the forthcoming revision of Europol’s legal framework, which aims to ensure that the Agency can efficiently perform its tasks in an ever-changing security landscape.

Previous chapters in this book have focused on domestic (or municipal) law within Hong Kong. This chapter examines the interface between Hong Kong law and international law and Chinese law (PRC law). It looks at the distinct international legal personality that Hong Kong possesses, Hong Kong’s engagement with international entities and the application of international law in Hong Kong. Previous chapters have discussed certain aspects of the interface between Hong Kong and the PRC legal system, and this chapter builds on this by focusing on mutual legal assistance between the two legal systems, access to the Mainland market for legal services from Hong Kong and cross-border crime.