Eurojust

Eurojust is the European Union agency for judicial cooperation in criminal matters. It supports the coordination and cooperation of national prosecutors and judges in the investigation and prosecution of cross-border and serious crimes, and it helps ensure effective and consistent legal action across EU member states. The agency is based in The Hague, Netherlands, and was established by Council Decision 2002/187/JHA in 2002, with its work expanding through subsequent framework decisions and EU instruments.

The core mandate of Eurojust is to facilitate the handling of cross-border criminal cases. This includes coordinating investigations and prosecutions, providing legal and operational assistance to national authorities, and promoting secure information exchange between member states. Eurojust also plays a pivotal role in setting up and supporting Joint Investigation Teams and in coordinating the use of cross-border judicial instruments such as the European Arrest Warrant and European Investigation Order. It offers expertise, methodological guidance, and targeted training to strengthen procedural efficiency and mutual trust among prosecutors and judges.

Governance and composition: Eurojust operates through a College that includes national members from each EU member state, typically senior prosecutors or equivalent officials, along with deputies and a President who oversees the agency’s work. The permanent Secretariat in the Hague supports day-to-day operations, research, and the provision of expert assistance.

Eurojust collaborates closely with European Union institutions such as Europol, the European Commission, and the European Judicial Network, as well as with third-country authorities, to enhance cross-border criminal justice and uphold the rule of law within the EU.