WIREDGOV

Legal professionals from around Europe will arrive in Edinburgh this week when the city and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service - Scotland's Prosecution Service - plays host for the first time to the annual Eurojustice conference.

Held over two days and delivered in both French and English, this year's conference brings together top prosecutors from 28 countries in the European Union and European Economic Area and representatives of key European and international institutions, providing an opportunity to discuss issues relating to European criminal law policy, management and best practice in prosecution.

The 11th annual conference will focus on two themes -

• prosecutors' roles in securing public confidence in the criminal justice system
• development of Information Communications Technology

Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini QC will welcome over 70 delegates to the conference at a reception at Edinburgh Castle today.

Mrs Angiolini said:

"The annual Eurojustice conference provides an excellent opportunity for senior prosecutors from across Europe to discuss current issues facing the criminal justice system on a European stage and I am delighted that this year's conference is being held here in Edinburgh and, indeed, for the first time in the United Kingdom.

"I am particularly pleased that one of the main themes this year is securing public confidence in the criminal justice system. It is vital that the principle that justice is seen to be done is at the very heart of our work and that we, as prosecutors, recognise our role in ensuring that the public have the greatest measure of confidence in the criminal justice system"

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said:

"Many of the challenges facing us today have an international dimension, and this is as true for our justice system as it is for other areas. Facing such challenges is made easier by good cross-border co-operation, and so the Scottish Government is keen to ensure that we play our full part in international forums such as Eurojustice.

"Recent developments in the EU, for instance, have provided additional tools for our law enforcement agencies and prosecutors in the fight against international crime. One such example is the European Arrest Warrant (EAW), which since its inception has helped to bring people to justice more quickly while at the same time respecting fundamental rights.

"But initiatives such as the EAW need mutual understanding and trust between judicial authorities in order to work truly effectively, and events such as this one organised by Eurojustice can contribute enormously to that. I am therefore very pleased to welcome their latest conference to Edinburgh."

The countries represented this year include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Liechtenstein, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden and the United Kingdom (including the prosecution services of Scotland, England and Wales and Northern Ireland), There will also be representation from the International Association of Prosecutors, The Council and Commission of the European Union, the Council of Europe, Eurojust, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the Academy of European Law.

The first Eurojustice conference was held in Noordwijk, in the Netherlands, in 1998 and since then, it has been held in cities across Europe, including Dublin, Oslo, Lisbon and, most recently in Portoroz, Slovenia in 2007, hosted by the national or regional prosecution services.

The 2009 conference will be hosted by Estonia.