Co-ordination of European Justice and Home Affairs
Issues
Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) is the fastest growing
area of EU work. European Union procedures and laws on
justice and home affairs are some of the most sensitive
issues facing the EU today. The objectives of EU JHA
policy, to promote freedom, security and justice, are
designed to develop citizens' rights to security and
justice and to promote cross border co-operation between
the responsible authorities in the Member States. Devolved
issues covered by EU JHA co-operation include policing
matters and judicial co-operation on criminal and civil
matters. Further details on EU JHA are given on the
European Civil Judicial Network website at
http://europa.eu.int/pol/justice/index_en.htm
The Justice Department deals with matters relating to
both Civil and Criminal Law. The EU Co-ordination Unit
within Access to Justice Division co-ordinates all civil
and criminal JHA matters related to the European Union, and
seeks to ensure that we are involved in discussions at the
earliest stage of negotiations,
and to be in a position to properly implement
agreed European Directives, Framework Decisions or
international treaties dealing with justice matters.
Civil Justice and International Division represents
Scottish interests in EU negotiations relating to the civil
justice system and liaises directly on these issues with
relevant departments in the rest of the UK. Civil Justice
and International Division also acts as the Scottish
Contact Point for the European Civil Judicial Network,
which helps EU member countries exchange information about
each other's civil legal systems.
In working to achieve the best outcome for Scotland the
EU Co-ordination Unit does several things. We ensure that
the Department is fully aware of new Justice and Home
Affairs proposals and that Scottish views are fed in to the
development of those proposals at an early stage. The Unit
tracks the progress of proposals as they emerge from
Brussels. We work closely with colleagues based in Scotland
House in Brussels. We also work closely with UK Government
colleagues in the Home Office and the Lord Chancellor's
Department on EU issues to ensure that Scottish interests
are fully represented in the UK negotiating position.
Officials from the Department will attend Working Group
meetings in Brussels if necessary. In addition, a Scottish
Minister may attend a meeting of the JHA Council of
Ministers and the Unit will ensure that he is well
briefed.
We also liaise with the Scottish Parliament and provide
briefing on JHA Council meetings to ensure that MSPs are
kept informed of proposals with an interest for
Scotland.
In addition, the Unit has an important role in raising
awareness of the workings of the EU within the Department.
We do this by organising training seminars, disseminating
information, including an EU Justice and Home Affairs
Induction Pack, and meeting with colleagues to discuss
policy initiatives.