Research

The chair's research focuses on trans- and international criminal law and criminal procedure law.

I.

The first emphasis lies on the constitution and constitutionalization of transnational spheres of power and the function and legitimacy of punishment within them. Characteristic of this research approach is a broad understanding of the concept of criminal sanctions. This therefore includes, for example, antitrust law and UN sanctions law. The understanding of regulation is equally open and dynamic. In addition to classical criminal law, the process of genesis outside formal criminal legislation is also included and these manifestations are examined in terms of their effectiveness and legitimacy.

II.

The second emphasis is placed on the structures, principals and finalities of an increasingly cross-border integrated criminal justice system and examines its relevance to fundamental rights. Models and structures of this new type of criminal justice system are analyzed and evaluated. It focuses upon new forms and principles of cooperation, their legitimacy, and their implications for civil liberties. In particular, the transnational dimension of the (affected) fundamental rights and their impact on the emergence of transnational law enforcement areas has hardly been researched to date. In addition, the classic procedural rights of the ECHR form another pillar of the chair's activities.

III.

The third emphasis lies on comparative criminal law, which is examined from a methodological perspective and used as an analytical tool. This research does not stop at comparing national regulations, but also engages in abstract model and system comparisons that are detached from specific national legal systems.