Harmonisation of Criminal Law Across the European Union and the Role of the European Public Prosecutorˈs Office

Abstract

This paper elaborates on the topic of harmonisation across the European Union in the field of criminal law, its progress to date as well as its limits and the question of the so called institutional harmonisation. It is argued that the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office might contribute to further harmonisation of the criminal law across the European Union either directly or indirectly by “forcing” the Member States to adopt rules which will facilitate the cooperation and smooth functioning of national authorities in relation to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office as well as in relation to authorities of other Member States