Committees

Possible impact of Brexit on criminal justice cooperation raises concerns

27 February 2020

The EU Justice Sub-Committee and the EU Home Affairs Sub-Committee hold a joint evidence session on future cooperation with the EU

Background

As an EU Member State, the UK was part of a number of agreements and information-sharing mechanisms, including: the ability to search DNA profiles, fingerprints and vehicle registration information held by other Member States; mutual recognition of criminal sentences handed down in another Member State; a system for sharing information about people wanted (or under surveillance) by the police; and the European Arrest Warrant  (a mechanism designed to speed up the handing over of suspects or convicted criminals from one EU Member State to another).
Based on the negotiating mandates published by the UK Government and the European Commission, it seems unlikely that the future relationship will include current levels of criminal justice cooperation. The UK Government has already stated, for example, that they will not be seeking to participate in the European Arrest Warrant.

Witnesses

Tuesday 3 March in Committee Room 3, Palace of Westminster
At 10.40am

  • Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Martin, National Police Chiefs' Council; and
  • Professor Valsamis Mitsilegas, Queen Mary University of London

Areas of discussion

The two committees will ask witnesses for their views on what level of future cooperation is desirable, what they think is likely to be agreed, and what impact changes in cooperation could have on the UK's police and criminal justice system.

Further information