Entre certitude et incertitude : le ne bis idem à l’épreuve de la révision des décisions pénales définitives en Europe

The ne bis in idem principle, a cornerstone of European criminal law, protects individuals from double jeopardy or punishment for the same offense. However, the revision of final judgments raises crucial questions about the stability of res judicata and the need to correct judicial errors. This chapter examines the delicate balance between legal certainty and the possibility of reopening final decisions under exceptional circumstances, such as the discovery of new evidence or fundamental procedural flaws. The analysis explores the application of this principle within the European Union and the European Convention on Human Rights, highlighting interpretative divergences and challenges in harmonizing the two systems. The discussion includes a proposal for a balanced approach that safeguards fundamental rights while preserving the integrity of judicial decisions. The chapter concludes that, in extraordinary cases, revising final judgments can be justified to ensure substantive justice and public trust in the legal system.