Conference programme

An opportunity for those attending the conference for the first time to meet and have a drink before the main reception begins. 

Attic Urban Rooftop
Ermou 86, Athina 105 54, Greece

The reception is open to all registered delegates and speakers registered to attend the full conference. One place per registered delegate is permitted. No transport will be provided. 
 

Where is the line between a legitimate business courtesy and an improper advantage? The panel brings together legal practitioners with experience in external legal counsel and in-house positions to unpack the grey zone of gifts, hospitality, and promotional expenses. Through real-world scenarios, we will explore how multinational companies navigate anti-corruption frameworks, cultural expectations, and internal policies. The discussion will address risk-assessment tools, red flags, documentation practices, and effective training strategies

A revolution of its kind, the European Public Prosecutor Office, or EPPO, is the first ever supranational financial prosecutorial organization, with jurisdiction to prosecute individuals and companies accused of offences against the financial interest of the European Union. Independent, the EPPO does not report to a national ministry of Justice. With delegated prosecutors in 24 participating EU countries out of 27 Member States, it may conduct investigations relating to offences committed, in whole or in part, in one or several member countries and in the latter case prosecute people in the country of its ultimate choice. By 31 December 2024, the EPPO had 2 666 active investigations, for an estimated damage of over €24.8 billion. Judges granted EPPO’s Prosecutors freezing orders worth €2.42 billion, while the value of assets frozen amounted to €849 million in 2024. Most of the crime reports received by the EPPO come from private parties. Civil plaintiffs may appear in their proceedings. Therefore, companies and individuals worldwide that would engage in unlawful activities when dealing with the European Union need to understand that this is an authority to count with. With experts from Europe and beyond, the panel will address the leading role taken by the EPPO, its challenges and future and its ever-growing interactions with the rest

This session will explore various practical aspects relating to the preparation of a trial. More particularly, the panellists will delve into the differences between civil and common law jurisdictions and address issues such as the preparation of witnesses, the appointment of experts, the importance of oral pleadings, the composition of the court and the cross-examination strategies and techniques. of the world.

In many places around the world, there are complaints about the overburdening of the justice systems. This quickly leads to calls for ‘We must make criminal proceedings more effective!’.  These are allegedly becoming increasingly extensive and complicated. But isn't it rather due to limited budgets and staff shortages? Must we accept that the necessary adjustments go hand in hand with curtailing defence rights? Are there other possibilities? Could AI offer an option?

This panel will address the critical challenges facing modern justice systems, examining how resource constraints and case backlogs impact the fundamental rights of defendants. The discussion will explore practical solutions and best practices for maintaining due process standards while managing overwhelming caseloads.

United Kingdom, and continental Europe (France and Greece) to examine one of the most challenging issues in modern criminal law and cross-border investigations: the collateral use of evidence. Drawing on experience from the bar, the bench, and law enforcement, the speakers will explore when and how evidence obtained for one purpose should be reused in other or parallel proceedings.
 

The panel will address the profound changes brought by technology to the field of criminal law, highlighting both opportunities and unprecedented challenges. Topics to be discussed include the use of artificial intelligence in court proceedings, data protection, collection, and validity of digital evidence, as well as the difficulties in investigating and punishing transnational offences. Specialists from the legal and technology sectors will offer insights into the need for legislative updates, risks to effective criminal defence, balancing security and privacy, and the ethical role of law in the face of disruptive innovation. The goal is to promote critical and plural debate on how criminal law can effectively and fairly adapt to the rapid technological changes that are reshaping contemporary society. This summary has not been prepared with the assistance of AI!

We will discuss the particular challenges of the defence of imprisoned defendants. Which particular difficulties and possibilities does the defence have? What are the conditions for the accused to defend themselves being in pre-trial detention? We want to compare how pre-trial detention is applied in different countries and what the conditions in pre-trial detention are like. Is use made of alternative ways to avoid pre-trial detention? Have such alternatives proved successful? Do certain minimum standards exist?

Current activities in politics and legislation will also be addressed, such as the EU Recommendation on the procedural rights of suspects and accused persons subject to pre-trial detention and on material detention conditions.