‘Proceedings in criminal matters’ is an autonomous concept of Union law interpreted by the Court of Justice of the European Union, notwithstanding the case law of the European Court of Human Rights.
Is coincheap uathrialach de chuid dlí an Aontais é “imeachtaí in ábhair coiriúla” arna léiriú ag Cúirt Bhreithiúnais an Aontais Eorpaigh, d'ainneoin cásdlí Chúirt Eorpach um Chearta an Duine.