The European Judicial Training Network (EJTN) is proud to announce the successful conclusion of its 2024–2025 project, implemented in partnership with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition (DG COMP) under the Competition strand of the Single Market Programme.
This initiative aimed to equip members of the judiciary, prosecution services and law enforcement with the skills and knowledge needed to recognise and report potential breaches of EU competition law uncovered in the context of their own financial and economic crime investigations. As these professionals often encounter valuable information, such as evidence of price-fixing, bid rigging, or market manipulation, during their financial and economic crime investigations, by sharing information with competition authorities they can significantly contribute to the early detection and prosecution of competition law infringements.
Over the course of the project, EJTN and its partners made important strides in bridging the gap between competition authorities and non-competition enforcers. By fostering stronger cooperation between these institutions, the project contributed to the broader objective of reinforcing EU competition law enforcement and safeguarding the integrity of the Single Market.
Key Deliverables
- Study Visits to DG COMP
Eighteen senior judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officials participated in high-level study visits to DG COMP, where they engaged directly with Commission officials, gained insights into the Commission’s enforcement practices, and established contacts to support future cooperation. - Targeted Training Sessions
A total of 191 judicial and law enforcement professionals attended specialised training sessions delivered by European Commission experts. These sessions provided a practical introduction to competition law, specifically for those without prior expertise in the field, and addressed the operational realities of cooperation within different national legal systems. - Internal Guidelines on EU Competition Enforcement
The project also produced a dedicated internal publication: “Practical Guidelines on Enforcement of EU Competition Law for Investigative Judges, Prosecutors and Police Officers Involved in the Investigation of Financial and Economic Crimes.” This tool offers practical guidance on how to uncover and report evidence of anti-competitive behaviour, with country-specific legal references for all 27 EU Member States. The Guidelines were developed with input from EJTN Members, national competition authorities, and judicial institutions across the EU.
Looking Ahead
EJTN is grateful to the European Commission, particularly the Directorate-General for Competition, the EJTN Members and partners, including CEPOL, for their unwavering support. We are proud to have contributed to the development of practical tools and professional networks that will continue to support cooperation between judicial and law enforcement actors and competition authorities.
We remain committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen the rule of law, foster institutional cooperation, and enhance the role of national non-competition enforcers in protecting the fairness and integrity of the EU Single Market.
