LEAP 2025 - Joint Defense Team meets Fair Trials
- Joint Defense Team
- Feb 23
- 2 min read
At Joint Defense Team we are committed to advancing fair justice across Europe. We were honored to participate in the LEAP Annual Conference 2025 in Milan on 21–22 February, held under the inspiring theme “Empowering Justice: Addressing Current and Enduring Challenges in Criminal Proceedings.” The Legal Experts Advisory Panel (LEAP) is Fair Trials’ European network of experts in criminal justice and human rights which works to promote fair trial rights in Europe.
Our co-founders – Bojana Franovic, Justus Reisinger, and Christian Lödden – joined over 200 legal experts, academics, and policymakers from across Europe to engage in high-level discussions on the future of criminal proceedings. A true highlight was Justus Reisinger’s thought‐provoking lecture on “EncroChat and SKY ECC: Legal Challenges and Recent Court Rulings in Criminal Proceedings,” where he dissected the intricate balance between digital security and fundamental fair trial rights.
The conference offered a comprehensive overview of the pressing challenges in our legal systems—from the evolution of criminal justice in Italy and the critical analysis of prison conditions in the 21st century, to sessions on linguistic barriers in justice, mutual recognition instruments, secret surveillance practices, and even maritime legal dilemmas. These sessions not only deepened our understanding of the complexities of modern criminal law but also reinforced the importance of strategic cross-border collaboration and continual reform.
We leave Milan inspired and better equipped to drive meaningful change in our practice. Thank you to LEAP, Fair Trials, and all the experts who contributed to this remarkable event.