European criminal law

Teacher(s)

Beernaert Marie-Aude;

Language

English

Main themes

Several issues will be successively addressed :
- the approximation of substantive criminal law (crimes and sanctions),
- the approximation of criminal procedure law,
- the judicial cooperation and the principle of mutual recognition,
- the progressive establishment of European actors in criminal matters.
The course aims to evaluate the realizations of the Council of Europe and the European Union in the field of criminal law, and to propose a critical reflection on what is at stake with this gradual emergence of criminal matters on the European scene.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	- Deepening of the students' understanding of the criminal law and criminal procedure instruments adopted by the Council of Europe and the European Union - Study of the question of interstate cooperation in the criminal law area, which is gradually evolving towards a process of legal integration - Consultation and rigorous analysis of the relevant legal instruments (treaties, acts, etc.) and of the decisions delivered by the European or Belgian courts - Improvement of the speaking and writing skills The course is based on participatory teaching methods (learning through projects or problems, review of the relevant case-law and doctrine, debates with guest speakers, field studies ...) which allow the students to develop independently a critical, forward-looking and inventive look on public international law. Students are encouraged to participate and to get involved in learning, which has both an individual and a collective dimension.

Content

The course aims to evaluate the realizations of the Council of Europe and the European Union in the field of criminal law, and to propose a critical reflection on what is at stake with this gradual emergence of criminal matters on the European scene.
Several issues will be successively addressed :
- the approximation of substantive criminal law (crimes and sanctions),
- the approximation of criminal procedure law,
- the judicial cooperation and the principle of mutual recognition,
- the progressive establishment of European actors in criminal matters.

Teaching methods

Lectures.
Students are encouraged to participate and sometimes required to do some preparatory readings.

Evaluation methods

The evaluation takes the form of a written exam in English (dictionary allowed), covering both theoretical and practical questions. Students may use their textbook, wich contains all the legal instruments and case law examined during the course

Other information

Since the course is not a language but a law course, students will not be penalized for linguistic mistakes they might make either in class or at the exam. Medium-level English should therefore be sufficient to follow the course successfully.

Online resources

The powerpoint presentations used in class are available on the moodle website.

Bibliography

• A textbook is to be purchased by the students, which contains all the legal instruments and case law that will be discussed during the course.

Teaching materials

• A textbook is to be purchased by the students, which contains all the legal instruments and case law that will be discussed during the course.

Faculty or entity

BUDR