Our law firm advises and defends clients in all areas of European and international criminal law. We represent both domestic and international clients in cross-border criminal proceedings, extradition matters, cases involving the European Arrest Warrant, and proceedings with connections to multiple jurisdictions or European investigative authorities.
A particular focus of our practice is the defence of individuals and companies in proceedings initiated or conducted by the European Public Prosecutor's Office. Such proceedings are typically characterised by complex cross-border investigations, close cooperation between multiple national authorities, and the interaction of domestic criminal procedure with European Union law. Effective defence in these cases requires not only expertise in German substantive and procedural criminal law, but also a thorough understanding of the institutional and legal framework governing European criminal enforcement.
We communicate with our clients in German, Bulgarian, English, and Turkish. Our firm advises both clients based in Germany and individuals from abroad who are facing German criminal proceedings, extradition requests, a European Arrest Warrant, investigations by the European Public Prosecutor's Office, or other criminal law matters with an international dimension. Clear communication and an understanding of different legal and cultural backgrounds form an essential part of effective criminal defence.

Where issues of Austrian, Swiss, or Liechtenstein law arise, we work closely with experienced local cooperation partners. Matters involving Bulgarian criminal law and criminal procedure can be handled within our team through the integration of relevant linguistic and legal expertise.

Our Practice in European and International Criminal Law

Our work in European and international criminal law includes, in particular, the following areas:

Proceedings of the European Public Prosecutor's Office

A key focus of our practice is the defence of clients in criminal proceedings initiated or conducted by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EUStA/ EPPO). These cases regularly present unique factual and legal challenges due to their cross-border nature and the interaction between European and national procedural rules.

We advise and represent clients in matters including:

• Investigations conducted by the European Public Prosecutor's Office
• Searches, seizures, and other coercive measures in connection with EPPO investigations
• Cross-border evidence gathering and cooperation between multiple investigative authorities
• Questions of jurisdiction and procedural coordination between European and national authorities
• Defence against allegations involving subsidy fraud, misuse of EU funding, VAT fraud, and other offences affecting the financial interests of the European Union
• Protection of suspects' rights during complex European investigations
• Review of the legality of investigative measures and evidence gathering

Early legal representation is particularly important in EPPO proceedings, especially where investigations are conducted simultaneously in several Member States or involve extensive financial and digital evidence.

European Arrest Warrant and Extradition

We advise and represent clients in all matters relating to the European Arrest Warrant and extradition law, including:

• Extradition for criminal prosecution or the enforcement of criminal sentences
• Assessment and assertion of grounds preventing extradition
• Objections based on prior prosecution or conviction in another Member State (ne bis in idem)
• Issues concerning dual criminality and limitation periods
• Humanitarian objections to surrender
• Protection of fundamental and human rights during surrender proceedings
• Defence before German courts in European Arrest Warrant proceedings

Criminal Defence for Foreign Clients

A central part of our practice is the defence of foreign nationals in German criminal proceedings. We represent international clients throughout investigations and criminal trials while taking into account immigration, linguistic, and cross-border considerations.

This includes:

• Safeguarding the procedural rights of foreign suspects in German criminal proceedings
• Ensuring effective communication through interpreters where necessary
• Protection against multiple prosecutions for the same offence
• Advising on the potential impact of criminal proceedings on immigration status
• Defence against allegations involving immigration, migration, and asylum law
• Issues relating to waiver of enforcement in extradition proceedings
• Transfer proceedings for the enforcement of criminal sentences
• Consideration of cultural and legal differences during defence and sentencing
• Treatment of foreign criminal convictions in German proceedings

Defence in Criminal Cases with an International Dimension

We defend clients accused of offences allegedly committed wholly or partly outside Germany. These cases frequently involve questions concerning the applicability of German criminal law, the relevant law at the place of the offence, and the admissibility of evidence obtained abroad.

Our services especially include:

• Assessing the applicability of German criminal law to international cases
• Defence against allegations concerning offences committed abroad
• Challenging the admissibility of foreign evidence
• Taking foreign legal frameworks into account during investigations and criminal proceedings
• Addressing sentencing issues involving foreign statutory penalties

Criminal Proceedings in Multiple Jurisdictions

Cross-border criminal matters often involve parallel investigations or proceedings in several countries. In these situations, we advise and represent clients on issues including:

• Protection against double or multiple prosecution
• Assessment of competing jurisdictional claims by different states
• Invoking the prohibition of double jeopardy at national, European, and international levels
• Credit for pre-trial detention and transfer periods
• Issues concerning the exhaustion of criminal prosecution
• Assessment of the possibility of discontinuing proceedings in Germany following transfer or removal abroad

Protection of Fundamental and Human Rights

The protection of fundamental and human rights forms an integral part of every defence in European and international criminal law. This particularly concerns the right to a fair trial, protection against disproportionate state interference, the safeguarding of defence rights, and compliance with fundamental rule-of-law standards in extradition, transfer, and international judicial cooperation.
In selected cases, we also represent clients before European courts, particularly the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights.

Criminal Defence in European and International Criminal Law

Cases involving an international element require an early and precise assessment of both the legal and factual circumstances. This is particularly true in proceedings before the European Public Prosecutor's Office, extradition matters, European Arrest Warrants, parallel investigations in multiple jurisdictions, and cases where criminal proceedings in Germany may have significant consequences for foreign nationals.
Our law firm provides comprehensive legal advice and criminal defence across all areas of European and international criminal law, with a particular focus on procedural rights, the protection of fundamental rights, and the practical challenges of cross-border criminal defence.