Justice and Home Affairs Council (Justice), 6 March 2026

Main results

Regulation on protection of adults

The Council reached its position on the regulation on protection of adults. The proposed rules are designed to safeguard the rights of adults who are unable to protect their own interests in cross-border situations, for example because of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Once adopted, the new rules will guarantee the rights of adults who need protection or support in cross-border situations such as the sale of property, medical care abroad or relocation to another country. The regulation will ensure that adults’ rights to individual autonomy — including the freedom to make decisions about their personal matters and future arrangements — are respected when they move within the EU.

• Council agrees position on EU law to protect vulnerable adults (press release, 6 March 2026)
• Council agrees position on EU law improving legal protection for adults in need of care (press release, 12 June 2025)
• Regulation on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of measures and cooperation in matters relating to the protection of adults (partial general approach), 12 June 2025

Lawyers’ independence in Europe

In the framework of the Council’s rule of law dialogue, ministers exchanged views on lawyers’ independence in Europe, the EU’s role and the European convention on the profession of lawyer. Lawyers are facing growing challenges to their independence, safety and professional autonomy, such as threats, intimidation, harassment, and politically motivated interference. Their independence is essential to protect rule of law. Against this backdrop, ministers reflected on how to address these challenges at both national and EU level, and how the EU can streamline existing tools and practices to protect lawyers. The Council of Europe Convention for the protection of the profession of lawyer can serve as a reference point for reflection on risks affecting the lawyers’ independence.

• Rule of law (background information)

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: fight against Russian impunity

Ministers exchanged views on the fight against impunity regarding crimes committed in Ukraine and underlined the need to continue the efforts in this regard. The Commission briefed the ministers on progress in establishing the Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression. The Commission further underlined that on 24 February 2026, exactly four years after the start of the war, it presented a proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Convention establishing the International Claims Commission for Ukraine. Eurojust also provided an update on actions taken in this area, presenting the latest developments.

• Russia’s war against Ukraine (background information)

EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

The Council approved the conclusions on the application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. The conclusions follow up on the Commission’s 2025 annual report on the implementation of the charter and focus on the cooperation among EU institutions, member states and other stakeholders (e.g. civil society organisations, human rights defenders) to strengthen its application. Ministers highlighted that more needs to be done at national, regional and local level to improve awareness, understanding and application of the charter across the EU.

Ministers also held an exchange of views with the director of the Fundamental Rights Agency, Sirpa Rautio, on how to better apply the charter in order to protect and promote fundamental rights.

• Council Conclusions on the application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
• Fundamental rights in the EU (background information)

The fight against organised crime

Over a working lunch, ministers discussed the issue of members of criminal organisations who sustain their illegal activities from inside prison, for instance making use of new communication tools or with the help of corrupted prison staff. Discussions focused on the threat from activities of organised crimes groups within prisons and on whether there is a need to pay more attention to this issue at EU level, in particular through exchanging information and best practices.

• Fighting crime (background information)

Other business

• Two judges of the ICC (Slovenia and France) subject to sanctions by the US attended the meeting and explained the consequences of the sanctions on their daily lives.
• The Commission gave an update on the revision of the Eurojust Regulation, which will be closely aligned with the revision of the Europol Regulation and of the EU data protection framework for justice and home affairs agencies.
• Poland presented an initiative for designating 11 January as Judicial Independence Day.