European Journal of Crime, Criminal Law and Criminal Justice

Crime, criminal law and criminal justice are no longer purely national issues in today’s Europe. Criminal conduct is becoming increasingly denationalised because offenders can easily cross borders and through the emergence of the Internet and cyberspace. It is also increasingly common for individuals either to face criminal proceedings or to become victims of crime in countries other than their own. Nevertheless, efforts to combat crime, and to safeguard the rights of victims, are still organised on a, by and large, national basis.

These factors are driving the need for a better understanding of crime in Europe, as well as many important debates to which it gives rise. They include: how best to respond to crimes that affect more than one state; how to strike an appropriate balance between respect for national criminal justice traditions and the tendency to harmonise legislation and practice; and how to ensure that it is possible for suspects, offenders and victims to rely upon an adequate level of protection of their fundamental rights wherever they come into contact with a criminal justice system in Europe. Criminal policy is therefore increasingly prominent on the political agenda of the key European players, above all the European Union and the Council of Europe. Not only are their growing roles reshaping the governance of criminal law and justice, but these bodies are themselves becoming a target of offending behaviour.

The European Journal of Crime, Criminal Law and Criminal Justice provides a forum for public debate on these European issues. It seeks not only to bridge the gap between European players and European states, but also to afford space for a non-European view on developments in these fields. Our aim, in other words, is to offer a multi-dimensional international and comparative perspective on crime, criminal law and criminal justice in Europe. We welcome papers from any relevant disciplinary outlook or approach, including those that are contextually, doctrinally, empirically or theoretically based.

Publication Prize for the European Journal of Crime, Criminal Law and Criminal Justice
Brill|Nijhoff is delighted to announce the introduction of a bi-annual prize for the most outstanding article published in the European Journal of Crime, Criminal Law and Criminal Justice. To encourage and reward publication in the Journal, the author of the chosen article will receive 10 free copies of the issue in which their article was published as well as a €400 voucher for Brill|Nijhoff books.

The winner of the bi-annual prize will be chosen by the Editorial Board of the Journal. All authors who have had an article published in the Journal over the previous two years will be considered.

Online submission: Articles for publication in the European Journal of Crime, Criminal Law and Criminal Justice can be submitted online through Editorial Manager, please click here.

They should have a clear European focus: that is, they should discuss norms and/or policies of a European origin (European Union/Council of Europe); or compare the legislation, policies or practices in European states; or analyse the manifestations or representations of crime and/or its impact; or contribute to the criminological debate in Europe. As a rule, they should not exceed 8,500 words. Review articles as well as short contributions (i.e., significantly fewer than 8,500 words) discussing topical issues will also be considered for publication. Articles written in American or British English are acceptable, though the latter is preferred.

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