Rulings and Fines
Visit our Rulings and Fines page to explore case law and measures.
![Ruling [CJEU] ¦ EU Court Limits Automatic Banking Refusals Based on OFAC Listings](/assets/images/posts/pexels-alex360-10896070_1024.webp)
Ruling [CJEU] ¦ EU Court Limits Automatic Banking Refusals Based on OFAC Listings
Note You can find an article on Advocate General Richard de la Tour’s Opinion, delivered...
![Ruling [EGC] ¦ General Court Backs EPPO Access to Witness Testimony in Court of Auditors Investigation](/assets/images/posts/pexels-cottonbro-8382034_1024.webp)
Ruling [EGC] ¦ General Court Backs EPPO Access to Witness Testimony in Court of Auditors Investigation
A ruling with direct relevance for EU financial crime enforcement On 10 June 2026, the...
![Ruling [CJEU] ¦ EU Court Sets a Broad Standard for Sanctions Control Over Trust Assets](/assets/images/posts/pexels-ryanlans-11428401_1024.webp)
Ruling [CJEU] ¦ EU Court Sets a Broad Standard for Sanctions Control Over Trust Assets
Trust Structures Are Not a Safe Shield Against Freezing Measures The Court of Justice of...
![Ruling [CJEU] ¦ Sanctions, Trusts and Control: CJEU Confirms That Asset Freezes Can Reach Trust Property](/assets/images/posts/pexels-clickerhappy-36981_1024.webp)
Ruling [CJEU] ¦ Sanctions, Trusts and Control: CJEU Confirms That Asset Freezes Can Reach Trust Property
A significant ruling for sanctions compliance The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)...
![Ruling [CJEU] ¦ AML: Subject to a Legitimate Interest, the Public has Access to Information on the Beneficial Ownership of Trust Mandates Governed by Italian Law](/assets/images/posts/pexels-pixabay-279810_1024.webp)
Ruling [CJEU] ¦ AML: Subject to a Legitimate Interest, the Public has Access to Information on the Beneficial Ownership of Trust Mandates Governed by Italian Law
EU Court confirms public access to beneficial ownership data for Italian trust mandates The Court...
![Ruling [DEU] ¦ When Sanctions Meet Insolvency: German Court Confirms Broad Freezing of Trust‑Based Assets](/assets/images/posts/pexels-markus-winkler-1430818-5198206_1024.webp)
Ruling [DEU] ¦ When Sanctions Meet Insolvency: German Court Confirms Broad Freezing of Trust‑Based Assets
A dispute at the intersection of banking, insolvency, and sanctions law A recent judgment from...
![Ruling [CJEU] ¦ MAR: When Insider Lists Become Inside Information](/assets/images/posts/pexels-mart-production-8450476_1024.webp)
Ruling [CJEU] ¦ MAR: When Insider Lists Become Inside Information
Lessons from the Court of Justice on Market Abuse The Court of Justice’s recent ruling...
![Ruling [ECJ] ¦ Judicial Oversight Reinforced: Supervisory Communications Not Immune](/assets/images/posts/pexels-cup-of-couple-8015674_1024.webp)
Ruling [ECJ] ¦ Judicial Oversight Reinforced: Supervisory Communications Not Immune
ECB Supervisory Opinion on Deferred Tax Assets: Why a Bank Challenged a Non‑Binding Communication In...
![Ruling [CJEU] ¦ Freezing Rights: How EU Asset Freezing Measures Silence Shareholder Influence in Cross-Border Corporate Structures](/assets/images/posts/pexels-devansh-shah-741447-36006777_1024.webp)
Ruling [CJEU] ¦ Freezing Rights: How EU Asset Freezing Measures Silence Shareholder Influence in Cross-Border Corporate Structures
How the C‑465/24 ruling changes shareholder voting for sanctioned investors The Court of Justice of...
![Ruling [CJEU] ¦ When 50% Is Enough: EU Sanctions, Corporate Control and Frozen Bank Accounts](/assets/images/posts/pexels-michael-wright-2160641032-37099872_1024.webp)
Ruling [CJEU] ¦ When 50% Is Enough: EU Sanctions, Corporate Control and Frozen Bank Accounts
Note You can find an article on Advocate General Ćapeta’s Opinion, delivered on July 3,...
![Ruling [DEU] ¦ On the Freezing of Assets in Cases of Suspected Reckless Money Laundering in Bitcoin Transaction Chains](/assets/images/posts/pexels-roger-brown-3435524-5698696_1024.webp)
Ruling [DEU] ¦ On the Freezing of Assets in Cases of Suspected Reckless Money Laundering in Bitcoin Transaction Chains
Note It should be noted that the earliest transactions would have to be assessed under...
![Ruling [CJEU] ¦ Importing a Russian Car into the EU Can Still Be Illegal, Even If It Is Already There](/assets/images/posts/pexels-jose-franco-2157655172-35029657_1024.webp)
Ruling [CJEU] ¦ Importing a Russian Car into the EU Can Still Be Illegal, Even If It Is Already There
A new judgment with clear consequences for sanctions enforcement On 5 February 2026, the Court...
![Ruling [CJEU] ¦ EU Court Limits Member States’ Ability to Tie Corporate AML Penalties to Individual Guilt](/assets/images/posts/pexels-ashamplifies-404153_1024.webp)
Ruling [CJEU] ¦ EU Court Limits Member States’ Ability to Tie Corporate AML Penalties to Individual Guilt
A landmark ruling on legal person liability under the AML framework On 29 January 2026,...
CJEU (AG) ¦ EU Advocate General Questions Blanket Shareholder Disclosure
Public Shareholders, Privacy, and Financial Crime Control: What Advocate General Norkus’s Opinion Means On 18...
![Ruling [LUX] ¦ Company Fined €35,000 for Aggravated Tax Fraud and Related Laundering](/assets/images/posts/pexels-mikhail-nilov-7821360_1024.webp)
Ruling [LUX] ¦ Company Fined €35,000 for Aggravated Tax Fraud and Related Laundering
How undeclared securities led to aggravated tax fraud and a corporate fine On 18 December...
CJEU (AG) ¦ Beneficial Ownership, Trusts and “Similar Legal Arrangements”
What the Across Fiduciaria Opinion Means for AML Practice The fight against money laundering in...
![Decision [DEU] ¦ German Court Rejects Interim Relief in Transparency Register Dispute Over Stiftung Documents](/assets/images/posts/pexels-clement-nivesse-1601383-3074542_1024.webp)
Decision [DEU] ¦ German Court Rejects Interim Relief in Transparency Register Dispute Over Stiftung Documents
Transparency register ruling clarifies limits on document requests in Germany A German administrative court has...
![Ruling [LUX] ¦ Luxembourg Court Approves Plea Deal in Aggravated Tax Fraud Case involving Concealed Distributions](/assets/images/posts/pexels-tara-winstead-7111611_1024.webp)
Ruling [LUX] ¦ Luxembourg Court Approves Plea Deal in Aggravated Tax Fraud Case involving Concealed Distributions
Note “The law may expressly refer to the mental element of the offense by using...
![Ruling [LUX] ¦ Judge Imposes Fine with Suspended Execution After Serious AML Failures at Money-Transfer Shops](/assets/images/posts/pexels-cottonbro-3943731_1024.webp)
Ruling [LUX] ¦ Judge Imposes Fine with Suspended Execution After Serious AML Failures at Money-Transfer Shops
Court Rejects Outsourcing Defence in AML Case On 26 November 2025 the District Court of...
![Ruling [LUX] ¦ AML Failures and Mail Handling Led to Criminal Sanction for Centre Operator](/assets/images/posts/pexels-tatiana-fet-420381-1105766_1024.webp)
Ruling [LUX] ¦ AML Failures and Mail Handling Led to Criminal Sanction for Centre Operator
Judgment confirms risks of clandestine domiciliation – Luxembourg case signals tougher scrutiny for business centers...
![Ruling [LUX] ¦ RBE Misdeclaration Leads to Criminal Sanction in Cross‑Border Tax Probe](/assets/images/posts/pexels-marianamontrazi-6757343_1024.webp)
Ruling [LUX] ¦ RBE Misdeclaration Leads to Criminal Sanction in Cross‑Border Tax Probe
Luxembourg Court Confirms Plea Deal – Lawyer and Domiciliation Company Fined €50,000 Each for False...
CJEU (AG) ¦ Compliance with the Right to the Protection of Personal Data Does Not Require Prior Authorisation by a Judicial Authority
Advocate General Says Competition Authorities May Seize Business Emails Without Prior Judicial Authorisation — But...
![Ruling [LUX] ¦ Luxembourg Court Approves Settlement with Accounting Firm over AML Failings](/assets/images/posts/pexels-marco-bianchetti-113476780-14606305_1024.webp)
Ruling [LUX] ¦ Luxembourg Court Approves Settlement with Accounting Firm over AML Failings
Case background and procedural posture The Tribunal d’arrondissement of Luxembourg, twenty-third chamber, delivered a judgment...
![Ruling [DEU] ¦ Scope of the European Union’s Russia Sanctions Regulation](/assets/images/posts/pexels-tomas-anunziata-129267-412076_1024.webp)
Ruling [DEU] ¦ Scope of the European Union’s Russia Sanctions Regulation
When Sanctions Meet Payments: A German Court Draws Clear Limits for Banks In a recent...
CJEU (AG) ¦ Bank Accounts vs. Foreign Sanctions Lists: When Can Banks Refuse a Basic Payment Account?
Note You can find an article on the Judgment of the Court (Fourth Chamber) of...
![Fine [POL] ¦ GDPR: Bank fined PLN 18.4 Million for unjustified Scanning of Customer IDs](/assets/images/posts/pexels-joaojesusdesign-925743_1024.webp)
Fine [POL] ¦ GDPR: Bank fined PLN 18.4 Million for unjustified Scanning of Customer IDs
Bank Penalized for Skipping Risk Analysis, Unjustified ID Scans Trigger PLN 18.4M Fine Poland’s Personal...
CJEU (AG) ¦ When Does a Shareholder Trigger EU Sanctions on Company Assets?
Note You can find an article on the Judgment of the Court (First Chamber) of...
![Ruling [USA] ¦ Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA): Ashley, III v. Deutsche Bank AG](/assets/images/posts/pexels-cottonbro-7319082_1024.webp)
Ruling [USA] ¦ Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA): Ashley, III v. Deutsche Bank AG
International Banks Win Major Victory in Terrorism-Related Lawsuits: Implications for Financial Institutions In a landmark...
![Ruling [DEU] ¦ BGH Rewrites the Playbook: Partly Dirty Money Is Enough to Lose the Whole Asset](/assets/images/posts/pexels-christopher-welsch-leveroni-2150186467-33821913_1024_1.webp)
Ruling [DEU] ¦ BGH Rewrites the Playbook: Partly Dirty Money Is Enough to Lose the Whole Asset
BGH Broadens Scope for Asset Seizure: Mixed-Funding Real Estate Can Be Confiscated Germany’s Federal Court...
![Ruling [LUX] ¦ From Luxembourg to Spain: Tracing the Path of a €61 Million Fraudulent Money Flow](/assets/images/posts/pexels-nullxtract-3047470_1024.webp)
Ruling [LUX] ¦ From Luxembourg to Spain: Tracing the Path of a €61 Million Fraudulent Money Flow
Major Fraud and Money Laundering Case Unveiled in Luxembourg Involving Over €61 Million Introduction: A...
![Ruling [LUX] ¦ Legal Dispute Over Fund Transfers Highlights Challenges in Anti-Money Laundering Compliance](/assets/images/posts/pexels-joerg-mangelsen-337913024-33284819_1_1024.webp)
Ruling [LUX] ¦ Legal Dispute Over Fund Transfers Highlights Challenges in Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
Legal Dispute Over Fund Transfers Highlights Challenges in Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Introduction A recent ruling...
CJEU (AG) ¦ EU Law allows linking Sanctions on Legal Persons to Responsible Individuals
EU Law permits linking Legal Person Sanctions to Culpable Individuals, Advocate General Rules The recent...
![Ruling [DEU] ¦ KYC Obligations Can’t Trump Equal Treatment](/assets/images/posts/pexels-charlotte-may-5824829_1024.webp)
Ruling [DEU] ¦ KYC Obligations Can’t Trump Equal Treatment
Bank Found to Have Discriminated Against Trans Customer: AG Berlin-Mitte Rejects AML Justification A Berlin...
![Ruling [DEU] ¦ German Court Upholds Public Naming in Money Laundering Enforcement](/assets/images/posts/pexels-ann-h-45017-20875707_1024.webp)
Ruling [DEU] ¦ German Court Upholds Public Naming in Money Laundering Enforcement
Note A synopsis of the German Anti-Money Laundering Act (Geldwäschegesetz (GwG)) can be found here....
![Ruling [LUX] ¦ Luxembourg Court Acquits Company in Beneficial Ownership Registry Case Due to Lack of Intent](/assets/images/posts/pexels-phil-s-964389-16170189_1024.webp)
Ruling [LUX] ¦ Luxembourg Court Acquits Company in Beneficial Ownership Registry Case Due to Lack of Intent
Luxembourg Court Acquits Company in Beneficial Ownership Registry Case Due to Lack of Intent Introduction...
![Ruling [DEU] ¦ Bank’s Address Requirement for Guardians Upheld](/assets/images/posts/pexels-sarah-chai-7267019_1024.webp)
Ruling [DEU] ¦ Bank’s Address Requirement for Guardians Upheld
Why the GwG (Anti‑Money‑Laundering Act) Matters The court’s decision turned chiefly on obligations under the...
![Ruling [DEU] ¦ When AML Duties Override Business Continuity: A German Court Upholds Immediate Account Termination](/assets/images/posts/pexels-3d-render-1058120333-33539235_1024.webp)
Ruling [DEU] ¦ When AML Duties Override Business Continuity: A German Court Upholds Immediate Account Termination
Note A synopsis of the German Anti-Money Laundering Act (Geldwäschegesetz (GwG)) can be found here....
![Ruling [LUX] ¦ Luxembourg Court Imposes Fine for Failure to Register Beneficial Owners](/assets/images/posts/unsplash_adrien-olichon-ilVYjf0J378-unsplash_1024.webp)
Ruling [LUX] ¦ Luxembourg Court Imposes Fine for Failure to Register Beneficial Owners
Luxembourg Court Imposes Fine for Failure to Register Beneficial Owners Introduction In a recent ruling...
![Ruling [LUX] ¦ Luxembourg Court Highlights Bank’s Due Diligence Duties in Money Laundering Case](/assets/images/posts/pexels-kenzero14-5727614_1024.webp)
Ruling [LUX] ¦ Luxembourg Court Highlights Bank’s Due Diligence Duties in Money Laundering Case
Luxembourg Court Highlights Bank’s Due Diligence Duties in Money Laundering Case Introduction A recent ruling...
![Ruling [LUX] ¦ non bis in idem in AML/CFT Proceedings](/assets/images/posts/pexels-rok-romih-1746122-5520710_1024.webp)
Ruling [LUX] ¦ non bis in idem in AML/CFT Proceedings
Landmark Ruling on non bis in idem in Luxembourg AML/CFT Proceedings On 26 February 2025,...
![Ruling [DEU] ¦ No Liability on the Part of the Bank for Legal Fees Incurred as a Result of Reporting Suspected Money Laundering](/assets/images/posts/pexels-irfanwindows-623147_1024.webp)
Ruling [DEU] ¦ No Liability on the Part of the Bank for Legal Fees Incurred as a Result of Reporting Suspected Money Laundering
Bank Not Liable for Client’s Pre‑Litigation Legal Fees After AML Suspicious Activity Report: OLG Frankfurt...
![Ruling [LUX] ¦ Notary Convicted for Serious Failures in Anti-Money Laundering Compliance in Luxembourg](/assets/images/posts/pexels-n-voitkevich-4450318_1_1024.webp)
Ruling [LUX] ¦ Notary Convicted for Serious Failures in Anti-Money Laundering Compliance in Luxembourg
Notary Convicted for Serious Failures in Anti-Money Laundering Compliance in Luxembourg Introduction A recent criminal...
![Ruling [DEU] ¦ Contamination Share Decides: BGH Sets Standards for Forfeiture in Mixed‑Funding Cases](/assets/images/posts/pexels-fez-brook-1587707-5619064_1024.webp)
Ruling [DEU] ¦ Contamination Share Decides: BGH Sets Standards for Forfeiture in Mixed‑Funding Cases
Federal Court Reverses Property Forfeiture Order in Complex Drug-Proceeds Case — Sends Matter Back for...
![Ruling [LUX] ¦ Exploiting Vulnerability: Luxembourg Court Convicts in High-Profile Abuse of Weakness and Money Laundering Case](/assets/images/posts/pexels-crina-doltu-490924-1287365_1024.webp)
Ruling [LUX] ¦ Exploiting Vulnerability: Luxembourg Court Convicts in High-Profile Abuse of Weakness and Money Laundering Case
Exploiting Vulnerability: Luxembourg Court Convicts in High-Profile Abuse of Weakness and Money Laundering Case Abuse...
![Ruling [LUX] ¦ Electronic Money Institutions and the Limits of Fund Blocking: Insights from a Luxembourg Court Decision](/assets/images/posts/pexels-leon-aschemann-734730704-21974054_1_1024.webp)
Ruling [LUX] ¦ Electronic Money Institutions and the Limits of Fund Blocking: Insights from a Luxembourg Court Decision
Electronic Money Institutions and the Limits of Fund Blocking: Insights from a Luxembourg Court Decision...
EGC ¦ Ownership Stakes and Tax Significance: How the EU Targets Russian Business Activity
Sanctions, Influence, and Legal Certainty: The EU General Court Upholds Measures Against Alexander Vinokurov A...
![Ruling [LUX] ¦ Luxembourg Court Imposes Fine on SOCIETE1 S.A. for Money Laundering Compliance Failures](/assets/images/posts/pexels-enfantnocta-2106065-3785186_2_1024.webp)
Ruling [LUX] ¦ Luxembourg Court Imposes Fine on SOCIETE1 S.A. for Money Laundering Compliance Failures
Luxembourg Court Imposes Fine on SOCIETE1 S.A. for Money Laundering Compliance Failures In a recent...
![Ruling [DEU] ¦ German Court Upholds Bank Account Termination Over AML Risk Concerns](/assets/images/posts/pexels-jorgeural-9169924_1024.webp)
Ruling [DEU] ¦ German Court Upholds Bank Account Termination Over AML Risk Concerns
Note A synopsis of the German Anti-Money Laundering Act (Geldwäschegesetz (GwG)) can be found here....
![Ruling [LUX] ¦ Luxembourg Court Confirms Liability of Lawyer for Money Laundering Compliance Failures](/assets/images/posts/pexels-fallskornmedia-32812532_2_1024.webp)
Ruling [LUX] ¦ Luxembourg Court Confirms Liability of Lawyer for Money Laundering Compliance Failures
Luxembourg Court Confirms Liability of Lawyer for Money Laundering Compliance Failures In a recent judgment...
![Ruling [DEU] ¦ When a Public Bank Must Say Yes: German Court Orders Sparkasse to Open an Account](/assets/images/posts/pexels-wolfgang-weiser-467045605-31847277_edit.webp)
Ruling [DEU] ¦ When a Public Bank Must Say Yes: German Court Orders Sparkasse to Open an Account
Note A synopsis of the German Anti-Money Laundering Act (Geldwäschegesetz (GwG)) can be found here....
CJEU ¦ Notaries and Interpreters Are Not Covered by Sanctions’ Ban on “Legal Advisory Services”
Why this ruling matters for sanctions compliance The Court of Justice of the European Union...
![Ruling [LUX] ¦ Luxembourg Court Upholds Convictions in Major Corporate Fraud and Money Laundering Case](/assets/images/posts/pexels-laurachouette-21008952_1024.webp)
Ruling [LUX] ¦ Luxembourg Court Upholds Convictions in Major Corporate Fraud and Money Laundering Case
Luxembourg Court Upholds Convictions in Major Corporate Fraud and Money Laundering Case In a landmark...
CJEU ¦ Leasing Property is not enough: A narrowing Line in the EU’s AML Framework
Leasing Property Is Not Enough: EU Court Clarifies Who Counts as a “Company Service Provider”...
![Ruling [DEU] ¦ Federal Court Orders Retrial in Large-Scale Tax Evasion Case](/assets/images/posts/pexels-alexapopovich-9302128_1024.webp)
Ruling [DEU] ¦ Federal Court Orders Retrial in Large-Scale Tax Evasion Case
BGH Clarifies Liability and Counting of Tax Fraud Acts Where Machine-Generated Records Were Manipulated In...
![Ruling [USA] ¦ Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA): Twitter, Inc. v. Taamneh](/assets/images/posts/pexels-ensaio-da-cegueira-321162394-14202251_1024.webp)
Ruling [USA] ¦ Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA): Twitter, Inc. v. Taamneh
Twitter, Inc. v. Taamneh: Supreme Court Clarifies Aiding-and-Abetting Liability Under the Anti-Terrorism Act Since 2016,...
CJEU ¦ WM et al. v. Luxembourg Business Registers (LBR)
CJEU Strikes Down Public Access to UBO Registers: What the 22 November 2022 Grand Chamber...
![Ruling [DEU] ¦ Money laundering: Fulfillment of the Qualifying Criteria Only by Obliged Parties; Order for Confiscation Permissible Under New Law](/assets/images/posts/pexels-danielabsi-952670_1024.webp)
Ruling [DEU] ¦ Money laundering: Fulfillment of the Qualifying Criteria Only by Obliged Parties; Order for Confiscation Permissible Under New Law
Money Laundering after the 2021 Reform: BGH clarifies who qualifies under § 261(4) StGB and...
![Ruling [DEU] ¦ Anti-Money Laundering: Requirements for Identity Verification of an Estate Administrator Acting on Behalf of Unknown Heirs](/assets/images/posts/pexels-jaspereology-3199036_1024_1.webp)
Ruling [DEU] ¦ Anti-Money Laundering: Requirements for Identity Verification of an Estate Administrator Acting on Behalf of Unknown Heirs
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance and Estate Administration: BGH Clarifies Identification Duties for Banks and “Nachlasspfleger” The...
![Ruling [DEU] ¦ BVerfG Limits Home Searches: Concrete Predicate Offence Needed for Money‑Laundering Warrants](/assets/images/posts/pexels-bulent-ozgoc-3798228-33746729_1024.webp)
Ruling [DEU] ¦ BVerfG Limits Home Searches: Concrete Predicate Offence Needed for Money‑Laundering Warrants
Constitutional limits on searches in suspected money‑laundering cases: BVerfG 2 BvR 2992/14 (31 January 2020)...
![Proceedings [DEU] ¦ AML: Blacklist of an Online Bank](/assets/images/posts/pexels-karolina-grabowska-4814061_1024_1.webp)
Proceedings [DEU] ¦ AML: Blacklist of an Online Bank
Rewriting the Rules: When “Blacklists” Cross the Line in AML Compliance A former customer applied...
![Ruling [DEU] ¦ When “Unverzüglich” Means Immediately: A German Court Sharpens the Duties of Money Laundering Officers](/assets/images/posts/pexels-sora-shimazaki-5668473_1024.webp)
Ruling [DEU] ¦ When “Unverzüglich” Means Immediately: A German Court Sharpens the Duties of Money Laundering Officers
Note A synopsis of the German Anti-Money Laundering Act (Geldwäschegesetz (GwG)) can be found here....
![Ruling [CJEU] ¦ Sanctions, Courts, and Compliance: What the Rosneft Judgment Means for Financial Crime Risk](/assets/images/posts/pexels-sora-shimazaki-5668882_1024.webp)
Ruling [CJEU] ¦ Sanctions, Courts, and Compliance: What the Rosneft Judgment Means for Financial Crime Risk
A landmark sanctions case with lasting impact In March 2017, the Court of Justice of...
![Ruling [DEU] ¦ Munich Court Enforces Active Board Supervision of Compliance](/assets/images/posts/pexels-joao-fernandes-333885982-13921128_1024.webp)
Ruling [DEU] ¦ Munich Court Enforces Active Board Supervision of Compliance
Boardroom Failures and the Cost of “Black Cash”: Lessons from LG München I, Judgment of...
EU Sanctions Helpdesk
The EU Sanctions Helpdesk platform supports European operators in complying with European Union restrictive measures (also known as sanctions) imposed worldwide.
Aimed primarily at Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), the Helpdesk offers resources and personalised help to companies performing sanctions due diligence checks.
What else?
