On 19 March 2026, the Secretariat of the European Judicial Network (EJN) took part (online) in an expert meeting on the European Arrest Warrant (EAW), organised by the Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers in Brussels. The meeting focused on key topics and possible future policy options linked to the “Lisbonisation” of the EAW Framework Decision, as a pre-Lisbon instrument.
During the discussions, the EJN Secretariat representative shared the practical perspective of practitioners, stressing that the EAW system works well in everyday use and remains an essential tool for judicial cooperation. Based on the EJN’s casework - around 1500 cases every two years - it was highlighted that any possible reform should carefully take into account practitioners’ experience.
The intervention also pointed to practical challenges that still arise, such as issues related to detention conditions and the interaction between the EAW and Framework Decision 2008/909/JHA. The EJN underlined its role in helping identify such issues and support solutions in practice.
Finally, the Secretariat emphasised the importance of ensuring that practical experience is clearly reflected in ongoing discussions, so that any future developments remain useful and relevant for practitioners.