With this project, a general audit of the judical cooperation instruments is envisioned. The terms of reference indicate that a two level analysis is required, each entailing two components.
First, an EU level analysis is required, entailing on the one hand a review of the internal consistency of the legal and institutional framework developed with regard to judicial cooperation and on the other hand a review of future legal and policy options in light of the coming into force of the Lisbon Treaty and the elaboration of the Stockholm Programme. To conduct this analysis, a series of integrationist scenario's will be developed (e.g. including further approximation, the setting up of the EPPO).
Second, an MS level analysis is required, entailing on the one hand a review of the implementation status and on the other hand a compatibility review of EU legislative and institutional initiatives with the MS legal and institutional frameworks.
Based on this two level analysis, an impact assessment should be conducted and a series of recommendations with regard to the future of judicial cooperation in Europe need to be formulated.