EU Law in Criminal Practice

Duncan Atkinson (editor) is a barrister at the Chambers of David Fisher QC and David Perry QC. He was appointed junior treasury counsel in 2009, and has an unrivalled practice, specializing in criminal litigation, homicide, fraud, terrorism, and regulatory work, public law, and inquests. He has been instructed in some of the most high profile, sensitive, and difficult criminal cases and inquests in recent years, including the trial of Levi Bellfield, the Royal Blackmail case, the 'fertiliser bomber' case, and the inquest into the Potter's Bar rail disaster, and has appeared as leading, sole, and junior counsel in cases of rape, public nuisance, blackmail, prison escape, corruption, conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, and prosecutions under the Official Secrets Act. He is the joint author of Blackstone's Guide to the Criminal Procedure Rules (2e, OUP, 2011), and a contributor to Blackstone's Criminal Practice (OUP), and Fraud: Criminal Law and Procedure (OUP).David Perry QC (consultant editor) is joint head of chambers at the Chambers of David Fisher QC and David Perry QC. Described as a "phenomenally impressive" silk, David not only handles complex domestic cases but also advises overseas governments and is a top extradition expert. David was appointed silk in 2006 and is on the editorial board for Blackstone's Criminal PracticeValsamis Mitsilegas (consultant editor) is Head of the Department of Law , Professor of European Criminal Law,and Director of the Criminal Justice Centre at Queen Mary, University of London. His expertise lies primarily in the area of EU law, in particular EU Justice and Home Affairs (including immigration, asylum and border controls, criminal law, police and judicial co-operation in criminal matters and the external dimension of EU action in these fields). Professor Mitsilegas provides regular advice to the UK Government and the Judiciary of England and Wales and is actively engaged with the legal profession as regards the impact of European Union law on the domestic legal system. He contributes a chapter on European Union law to Blackstone's Criminal Practice.

In recent years the importance of EU law has become apparent to most criminal lawyers. Extradition is an obvious area, but the authors remind us that there are over 130 criminal justice measures that directly impact on the administration of justice in the UK. The development of EU criminal law is covered before moving on to pre-trial and post-arrest. The authors grasp complex topics and produce a work of perfect clarity, something many authors aspire to but few actually achieve. This is not a mere cut and past of legislation but a razor sharp practical analysis of the issues.

• PART 1 - CONTEXT; PART 2 - PRE-TRIAL; PART 3 - POST ARREST