The Faculty of Law at the Université Catholique de Lille is participating in the European PRISA project (Strengthening procedural rights for vulnerable individuals that are suspects and accused in criminal proceedings), funded by the European Commission’s Justice Programme.
This research and international cooperation project aims to improve access to procedural rights for vulnerable individuals who are suspected or accused of criminal offences, while addressing the challenges posed by the digitalisation of justice.
A European Project Dedicated to Fundamental Rights
The Faculty of Law at the Université Catholique de Lille has been selected to participate in the European research project PRISA, alongside five other partners from Romania, Bulgaria, Greece and Poland. Coordinated by the Association Pro Refugiu (Romania), the project receives financial support from the European Commission’s Justice Programme for a period of 24 months, from September 2026 to August 2028.
At the Faculty of Law, the project is led by Laure Laref, Michaël Laref, Laurent Chabert and Franck Ludwiczak. Its selection recognises the Université Catholique de Lille’s commitment to European research and the protection of fundamental rights.
PRISA addresses a major challenge facing European judicial systems: ensuring that every person suspected or accused of a criminal offence has effective access to their procedural rights, regardless of their personal circumstances or the conditions surrounding the proceedings.
Improving the Protection of Vulnerable Individuals in Criminal Proceedings
Despite the existence of a robust European legal framework for criminal justice, access to procedural rights and their implementation remain uneven across Member States. Particular difficulties persist for individuals whose vulnerable circumstances may limit their ability to understand proceedings, exercise their rights or participate fully in their defence.
PRISA understands vulnerability as the result of a combination of factors, characteristics and circumstances. These may include gender, ethnic origin, nationality, sexual orientation, disability, health conditions and socio-economic status.
The project aims to identify the obstacles that prevent individuals from effectively exercising their procedural rights and to develop practical responses to better protect those concerned, from the pre-trial stage through to the judicial proceedings themselves.
The Digitalisation of Justice: Reconciling Efficiency and Fairness
The development of digital tools and new technologies is progressively transforming judicial practices. While these tools can contribute to improving the functioning of justice systems, they also raise important questions regarding the protection of fundamental rights.
Without appropriate procedural safeguards and effective judicial oversight, their use may exacerbate existing inequalities, produce discriminatory outcomes and undermine the fairness of criminal proceedings.
PRISA aims to raise awareness among justice professionals of these challenges and promote an approach in which the modernisation of judicial procedures is accompanied by sufficient safeguards to protect everyone’s rights. The pursuit of faster justice must not come at the expense of the right to a fair trial.
From Research to Action: Practical Outcomes for Justice Professionals
Over the 24-month project period, the partners will conduct research, compare national practices and develop tools to strengthen the protection of procedural rights.
Their work will focus on several complementary areas:
Analysing National Legal Frameworks and Practices
Five national reports and one comparative transnational report will examine legislation, judicial practices and the challenges encountered in each partner country. This analysis will help identify persistent barriers and potential solutions.
Developing Practical Recommendations
An action plan will propose approaches and concrete measures for judicial authorities and institutions. A manual for practitioners will also provide guidance on addressing vulnerability and ensuring the effective exercise of procedural rights.
Encouraging Dialogue Among Justice Stakeholders
Transnational expert meetings and national roundtables will bring together professionals from a range of fields, including lawyers, judges, prosecutors, police officers, representatives of ministries and government agencies, academics, national human rights institutions and civil society organisations.
Raising Awareness and Disseminating Results
National conferences and a transnational conference will help share the project’s findings and encourage their uptake by relevant stakeholders.
Overall, the project will deliver five national reports, one comparative report, an action plan and a practical manual. It also aims to reach 420 professionals working in justice and fundamental rights protection.
European Cooperation Bringing Together Six Partners
Coordinated by the Association Pro Refugiu, PRISA brings together six organisations and institutions from five European countries.
This cooperation enables partners to compare national experiences, examine different practices and develop responses suited to the realities of their respective judicial systems.
The project partners are:
Romania – Association Pro Refugiu (APR): Project coordinator.
Romania – University of Bucharest, Faculty of Law.
Bulgaria – Center for the Study of Democracy.
Greece – Centre for European Constitutional Law.
France – Institut Catholique de Lille, represented by its Faculty of Law.
Poland – Institute for Law and Society (INPRIS).
As part of this consortium, the Faculty of Law at the Université Catholique de Lille contributes to collaborative research focused on the effective protection of fundamental rights. Its participation strengthens the University’s international partnerships and encourages exchanges between academia and justice professionals.
The Faculty of Law: Committed to European Research
Participation in PRISA reflects the Faculty of Law at the Université Catholique de Lille’s commitment to addressing contemporary legal challenges and contributing to European research initiatives.
By combining legal analysis, international cooperation and dialogue with practitioners, the project aims to contribute to a criminal justice system that is more accessible, fairer and more respectful of fundamental rights.
It also reaffirms an essential principle: fundamental rights must be effective for everyone, including individuals whose vulnerability may make it more difficult to exercise their procedural safeguards.
Project Information
Title: Strengthening procedural rights for vulnerable individuals that are suspects and accused in criminal proceedings (PRISA)
Duration: 1 September 2026 – 31 August 2028
Total duration: 24 months
Funding programme: European Commission Justice Programme (JUST)
Call for proposals: JUST-2025-JACC-EJUSTICE
Grant Agreement No.: 101296749
Coordinator: Association Pro Refugiu (APR), Romania
French partner: Institut Catholique de Lille – Faculty of Law
Consortium: Six partners from five European countries
Find Out More About the Project Partners
Association Pro Refugiu: https://prorefugiu.org/home/
University of Bucharest: https://unibuc.ro/
Center for the Study of Democracy: https://csd.eu/
Centre for European Constitutional Law: https://www.cecl.gr/en/
Institut Catholique de Lille: https://www.univ-catholille.fr/
Institute for Law and Society (INPRIS): https://www.inpris.pl/en/
European Funding Disclaimer
This project is funded by the European Union under the European Commission’s Justice Programme (JUST).
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority [European Commission – Justice Programme]. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.
