Crown prosecutor moves to combat crime across Europe

Solicitor Michael Kennedy, the former Chief Crown Prosecutor for Sussex, has been appointed as the UK representative to Eurojust, which fosters co-operation to fight serious and organised crime across the EU.

Each member state has appointed either a senior prosecutor, judge or police officer to Eurojust, which acts at the request of member states to co-ordinate cross-border investigations and prosecutions.

Mr Kennedy was recruited after the job was advertised to the Government Legal Service; his initial appointment is three years.

Eurojust will complement the work of the European Judicial Network - which links experts who help other EU countries with their requests for assistance in prosecuting crimes - and liaison magistrates to improve links between states.

The UK has a liaison magistrate in the French ministry of justice, while France has one in the Home Office.