Sir William Dale Centre for Legislative Studies

Description

Research is conducted at the Centre for Financial Law, Regulation and Compliance (FinReg) on three levels: Centre level, staff level, and student level.

At the Centre level, ongoing research focuses on various aspects of drafting and law reform, with a particular emphasis on EU criminal law. The Centre's current main research project involves the transposition of EU legislation. Additionally, the Centre conducts comparative studies for the European Commission, collaborating with multi-member multinational research teams from both older and new EU member states, as well as accession countries. Notably, the Centre's studies on criminal records as a means of preventing organized crime and the potential introduction of a European Criminal Record in national legal orders have influenced the Commission's Communication on a draft Framework Decision.

The Centre has developed unique expertise in databases for the prevention of crime at the EU level. Collaborating with Europol and Eurojust, the Centre has explored the feasibility of compiling a database of legal entities to enhance data availability across EU member states. They have also studied the creation of an EU-wide database on prosecutions and investigations to improve the effectiveness of addressing transnational crime.

Furthermore, the Centre has conducted studies on the reception of EU instruments in the field of Justice and Home Affairs by Member States' laws, serving as a guide for transposition practices in EU criminal law. They have also undertaken smaller-scale studies for other departments of the EU institutions, including a study on disciplinary proceedings and criminal trials within member states conducted for the Legal Service of the European Commission.

The Centre's extensive experience in teaching and researching these topics is reflected in their training programs. In addition to postgraduate and professional teaching in drafting and law reform, the Centre offers tailor-made training for legal professionals in EU law and EU criminal law. Various projects, such as GROTIUS CIVIL, AGIS, PHARE, and the Programme of Exchanges of Judges, provide training opportunities for judges from EU member states to enhance their knowledge and understanding of recent developments in EU law.

The Centre takes pride in receiving the European Commission's approval for two JEAN MONNET modules: "Drafting for EU Accession and Membership" and "Theories of European Integration." These modules are offered in the LLM for Advanced Legislative Studies and as stand-alone summer courses.

Additionally, the Centre has been engaged in the Ukraine Legislative Drafting Project, providing assistance to the Ukrainian government in developing legislative drafting capacity over the past four years.

At the staff level, research is primarily conducted by the Academic Director, the IALS Visiting Fellow in Legislative Drafting, and a group of Associate Research Fellows. Collaboration with other units within the Institute, such as the Centre for Legal Education, enhances research outcomes. Findings from these research activities are published in British and international journals.

The Centre collaborates with academics and practitioners from various research units within the Institute and other institutions to organize author teams for writing on specific aspects of a particular topic. The aim is to publish the results in a book edited by or under the auspices of the Centre. Suggestions for topics and titles are proposed by practicing drafters or members of the academic community. The Legislative Drafting course and contributions from students and alumni also contribute to the research and publications of the Centre, including the European Journal of Law Reform.

The Centre also benefits from research conducted by its postgraduate students. The LLM program and courses offered at the Centre serve as an excellent source for recruiting postgraduate students for M.Phil. and Ph.D. levels. Students are encouraged to publish their research under the Centre's auspices and in collaboration with the Centre's staff. Country reports are a significant part of the Centre's ongoing research activities, mainly undertaken by alumni.

Offers funding

No, this infrastructure does not provide funding.

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University of London
Senate House
Malet St
London
WC1E 7HU