Eurojust: mechanisms controlling the agency for coordination and cooperation in criminal matters

Eurojust is the EU agency responsible for coordination and cooperation in criminal matters, bringing together investigative and prosecuting judicial authorities. Its main tasks are: coordinating operational activities of national authorities, facilitating the exchange of information between them and providing logistical support. Although its binding powers are limited, they have increased with the new Regulation 2018/1727, e.g. concerning forum choices: where to prosecute and in which Member State to use investigative measures. The new Regulation also improved the accountability mechanisms of Eurojust, adapting it to the Treaty of Lisbon standards. The question whether these mechanisms are sufficient remains, however. This chapter presents the powers of Eurojust and analyses its accountability mechanisms. The chapter focuses on the changes the new Regulation introduces, examines the potential lacunae and offers a reflection on challenges and potential solutions for Eurojust’s accountability.