Conflicts of competence between the EPPO and national prosecution authorities

This paper examines conflicts of competence between the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and national prosecution authorities, emphasising the strategic and symbolic importance of such disputes within the European Area of Freedom, Security and Justice. After outlining the complex legal framework governing the EPPO’s scope of competence, the author analyses the implications and rationale of the conflict resolution mechanism laid out in the founding regulation. Two emblematic cases are then discussed, which revealed shortcomings in cooperation and mutual trust between European and domestic authorities. Finally, potential amendments to the founding regulation are presented and examined, with the aim of increasing the coherence and consistency in the application of EU law across Member States.