European Union: Crime

Criminal proceedings represent one of the most serious forms of state power against an individual. Even before any conviction, the initiation of criminal proceedings may severely affect a person’s reputation, professional standing, personal freedom, and psychological well-being. For this reason, the law recognises that criminal process must not be used abusively, vindictively, or as a mechanism of pressure in private or commercial disputes.

A Paris court has delivered its verdict in the landmark Lafarge prosecution, convicting the French cement company and eight former executives of terrorist financing and sanctions violations related to operations in Syria. The case resulted in substantial fines for the company and prison sentences ranging from 18 months to seven years for the convicted executives, with several defendants already signaling their intent to appeal.

Italian law on sexual assault in Italy is primarily governed by Article 609-bis of the Italian Penal Code, which defines sexual violence as any sexual act carried out without the free and explicit consent of the victim, through violence, threats, or abuse of authority.

Summary: The most common cases in which a debtor is brought back to court. When they are justified, what happens in courtrooms, and the critical criterion of "honesty."

Germany started 2025 with rising enforcement risk as authorities intensified their efforts to combat financial crime.

From 24 January the violation of EU international sanctions has become a criminal violation, also triggering the criminal liability of corporations.

Σημαντική απόφαση εξέδωσε το Εφετείο της Κύπρου (Ποινική Δικαιοδοσία)...

On 25 July 2025, Cyprus enacted the Criminalization of Violation of Union Restrictive Measures Law of 2025 (Law 149(I)/2025), introducing criminal penalties for breaches of EU restrictive measures...

The recent judgment of the Cyprus Court of Appeal in CCSRE Real Estate Company Ltd v. Theodorou Menelaou (Crim. App. 94/2022, 31.10.2025) brings to the forefront a long-standing yet sensitive issue: when does a tenant's continued occupation of a property