Asset recovery in the German legal system. An instrument to fight tobacco trafficking? FT event Combating Illicit Trade: Progress, Challenges and Collaborative Solutions. Florian Becker/Hendrik Juergensen London, 27-28 Sept 2017 Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel Becker/Juergensen
Asset recovery: instrument to fight trafficking? The Institution • Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel (Germany, Schleswig/Holstein) • founded in 1665 by count Christian Albrecht von Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorf • approximately 26,000 students • leading northern German institution for academic teaching and research • eight schools (law, medicine etc.) and several research clusters (e.g. oceans of the future) • Law School: more than 2000 students, 21 chairs • Institute of Economic Law: three directors, 25 staff Ø impact of state regulation on economic decision making Ø limits of state regulation set by the constitution, European and international law Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel Becker/Juergensen
Asset recovery: instrument to fight trafficking? Problem and Solution 1. combating illicit trade 2. core criminal sanctions: jail and fines 3. „Crime should not pay“ 4. incidental consequences: asset recovery/confiscation a. Directive 2014/42/EU on the freezing and confiscation of instrumentalities and proceeds of crime in the European Union b. national criminal law (substantive and procedure) 5. motives a. fairness/morality b. influence on decision making Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel Becker/Juergensen
Asset recovery: instrument to fight trafficking? However,... 1. even criminals have rights... in particular when it is not (yet) established by a court that they actually are criminals . 2. Provisions about asset recovery have to comply with higher ranking rules: a. national rules: ECHR, European secondary law, national constitutions (due process, right to property) b. European rules: ECHR, European primary law (TFEU, Charter) Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel Becker/Juergensen
Asset recovery: instrument to fight trafficking? Our project with PMI Impact 1. background: recent expansion of recovery options in Germany a. Citius: preliminary measures to safeguard a final recovery b. Altius: gross-principle c. Fortius: shifting the burden of proof, recovery even if there is no criminal judgement 2. comparative approach: how do other jurisdictions (inside and outside the EU) address this issue? 3. How can the legislator balance human rights with the legitimate desire to combat illicit trade and use asset recovery as an important instrument to make sure that „crime does not pay“. Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel Becker/Juergensen
Asset recovery: instrument to fight trafficking? Thank you very much… …for your time! Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel Becker/Juergensen
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