Economic Criminal Law

The Intensive Course on Anti Money Laundering (AML) provides in depth knowledge of the legal requirements and typical risk factors within the broad context of money laundering including countering the financing of terrorism (CFT). The course covers relevant content from white collar criminal law, current developments and practical measures to combat money laundering. The focus is on the presentation of criminal law risks in daily professional life, with the aim of sensitising and enabling participants to comply with anti money laundering and other relevant compliance regulations.
 

Programme Duration: 4 days 

Tuition Fee: CHF 1.800,–
 
Number of Participants: Maximum of 35 participants

Programme Language: German 

Programme Type: Part time
 
Teaching Hours: Half day, evenings, weekend course


Overview of Content

• Knowledge of money laundering techniques, methods of terrorist financing, current phenomena and regulatory developments at national, European and international level
• Knowledge for professional practice as an Anti Money Laundering Officer (Sorgfaltspflichtbeauftragter)
• Knowledge of risk analysis and assessment as well as suspicious activity reporting to the FIU
• Knowledge of criminal law risks in connection with money laundering, terrorist financing, organised crime and corporate liability
• Knowledge of the challenges of cryptocurrencies and the use of AI tools to detect money laundering and terrorist financing
   

Key Highlights

• Held once a year
• SAQ recertification ‘Client Advisor Bank’
• The intensive course is recognised as professional training and education in accordance with Art. 21 SPG in conjunction with Art. 32 SPV and serves as proof within the meaning of Art. 36 SPV to the extent of 2.5 days.
   

The intensive course is held in cooperation with the Liechtenstein Bankers Association, the Financial Market Authority Liechtenstein (FMA) and the Liechtenstein Institute of Professional Trustees and Fiduciaries.

This professional education offering is held regularly. The next session and registration options can be found here — if currently available.

Would you like to be notified as soon as registration is possible? Feel free to request information.
 

The intensive course «Money Laundering and Supranational Criminal Law» forms the third module of the Executive Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Economic Criminal Law. The focus lies on the legal foundations and challenges in combating money laundering, organized crime, and terrorism financing — both at national and supranational levels.

The course begins with the fundamentals of the Liechtenstein Due Diligence Act (SPG), which contains key provisions for preventing and combating money laundering under the Criminal Code (StGB). Building on this, the relevant criminal provisions are examined in detail.

A special emphasis is placed on the cross-border dimension of these offenses. Therefore, the regulations of Liechtenstein’s criminal jurisdiction, which enable prosecution of cases with foreign elements, are addressed.

Additionally, participants learn the basics of European, EEA, and international criminal law — including the main institutions and mechanisms for international criminal prosecution and cooperation.
 

Course highlights include:

• Anti-money laundering according to SPG and Criminal Code
• National and international legal regulations on terrorism financing
• Criminal jurisdiction in cross-border cases
• Functions of the EU, EEA, FATF, MONEYVAL, and other international institutions
• Practical insights into compliance, due diligence, and cross-border prosecution

Upon completion, participants possess in-depth knowledge of money laundering prevention, understand the interplay between national and international criminal law, and are familiar with the key actors and legal frameworks in fighting financial crime.

This professional education offering is held regularly. The next session and registration options can be found here — if currently available.

Would you like to be notified as soon as registration is possible? Feel free to request information.

The intensive course "Fundamentals of Economic Criminal Law" forms the first module of the Executive Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Economic Criminal Law. In this practice-oriented yet theoretically sound course, participants acquire essential basic knowledge in criminal law, economic criminal law, and supplementary administrative criminal law.

A central part of the course is the introduction to economic-philosophical approaches and the theoretical foundations of criminal law, with a special focus on the Liechtenstein Criminal Code (StGB). Participants learn about criminal law principles, the basics of criminal responsibility, and the prerequisites for criminal acts.
 

Key topics covered in the course include:

• Basic concepts of criminal law: acts and omissions, causality, intent and negligence
• Special aspects: attempt, complicity, voluntary surrender, sentencing, and statute of limitations
• Substantive law part of the Liechtenstein Administrative Penal Act (VStrG)

Practical case studies deepen the theoretical knowledge and apply it to concrete questions in economic criminal law.

After completing the course, participants are familiar with the legal foundations of criminal law and have solid introductory knowledge in economic philosophy. This module provides the ideal basis for further specialization within the Executive LL.M. in Economic Criminal Law in Liechtenstein.

This professional education offering is held regularly. The next session and registration options can be found here — if currently available.

Would you like to be notified as soon as registration is possible? Feel free to request information.

International sanctions law is one of the most complex areas of economic law. Since the beginning of the military aggression against Ukraine, regulatory requirements and EU sanctions measures have evolved rapidly, while OFAC has tightened its enforcement practices and expanded the extraterritorial application of US sanctions law.

The course provides a sound introduction to the Liechtenstein ISG as well as the new EU criminal provisions for violations of restrictive measures. Comparative legal insights into Switzerland and information on OFAC complement the practice oriented, cross sector deepening of the applicable sanctions rules. The aim is to develop legally secure competence in dealing with international sanctions and the sustainable strengthening of compliance.

Programme Duration: 2 days 
Tuition Fee: CHF 750,–
Number of Participants: Maximum of 35 participants
Programme Language: German 
Programme Type: Part time
Teaching Hours: Half day, evenings
 

Overview of Content

• Criminal provisions of the ISG in general and the Ukraine Regulation in particular, as well as the new EU criminal offences
• Practical issues in sanctions law in Liechtenstein and Switzerland
• Significance and scope of international sanctions (especially OFAC) Impact on the Liechtenstein financial centre and in particular the fiduciary and banking sectors
   

Key Highlights 

• Held twice a year
• The intensive course is recognised as professional training and education in accordance with Art. 21 SPG in conjunction with Art. 32 SPV and serves as proof within the meaning of Art. 36 SPV to the extent of 1.5 days.

This professional education offering is held regularly. The next session and registration options can be found here — if currently available.

Would you like to be notified as soon as registration is possible? Feel free to request information.

The aim of this professional education format is to enable participants to engage deeply with various areas of Liechtenstein law, while also providing support for legal trainees preparing for the Liechtenstein bar examination. Under the guidance of recognised experts from academia and practice, it is ensured that participants acquire knowledge that is both theoretically sound and practice-oriented.

The course covers knowledge in constitutional law and EEA law, administrative law, criminal law and criminal procedure law, civil law (including obligations law, property law, inheritance law, personal and family law, and labour law) and civil procedure law, as well as professional conduct and fee law, legal aid, insolvency, enforcement, social security and labour law, international private law, arbitration law, and company, foundation, and trust law.

An optional exam preparation course focuses on drafting pleadings to prepare for the written bar examination. The exam preparation course is offered twice a year and can only be booked in combination with Modules 1 to 4.
 

Further Information

The intensive course «Criminal Law and Digitalisation» constitutes the sixth module of the Executive Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Economic Criminal Law. The focus is on the criminal law challenges of digital transformation, particularly in the context of cybercrime, blockchain technology and artificial intelligence (AI).

Participants first receive a comprehensive overview of the relevant criminal provisions on cybercrime. A distinction is made between:

• Cybercrime in the narrow sense: attacks on data and IT systems using modern information technologies (e.g. hacking, ransomware or DDoS attacks)
• Cybercrime in the broader sense: use of IT to commit classical offences (e.g. phishing or child pornography)

The course then addresses cybersecurity, including preventive measures, technical protection mechanisms and the legal obligations in the areas of IT security and cyber resilience.

Another key focus is new digital technologies:

• Blockchain technology and its criminal law implications are explored with reference to the Liechtenstein Blockchain Act (TVTG). The emergence of the token economy is also explained in a practice-oriented manner.
• Artificial intelligence (AI) — in particular generative AI such as ChatGPT — is presented in its application in professional practice, including in the context of crime prevention. In addition to the legal framework, ethical and criminal law-relevant issues are discussed.

Course contents at a glance:

• Criminal law classification of cybercrime and cybersecurity
• Current developments in digital criminal law
• Blockchain, tokenisation and the Liechtenstein TVTG
• Artificial intelligence in the legal context: opportunities, risks and legal limits
• Interactive case studies and practice-oriented discussions

After successful completion, students are able to identify, legally classify and practically resolve criminal law relevant facts in digital contexts. They possess solid knowledge in technology-based economic criminal law and are prepared for competent management of digital risks in corporate and legal contexts.

Participants acquire the ability to recognise criminal law relevant facts in the digital context and to solve them in a practice-oriented manner. They are qualified to deal with the challenges posed by tokens and AI.

This professional education offering is held regularly. The next session and registration options can be found here — if currently available.

Would you like to be notified as soon as registration is possible? Feel free to request information.

The intensive course «Criminal Law and Business» is the fifth module of the Executive Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Economic Criminal Law. The focus is on the company as a potentially criminally liable entity and the preventive management of legal risks in the business environment.

First, corporate criminal liability as enshrined in the Liechtenstein Criminal Code (StGB) is analysed. Particular emphasis is placed on misconduct by senior management as well as so-called organisational fault, which is attributable to insufficient internal structures or supervisory measures.

A significant part of the course is devoted to the topic of Criminal Compliance. The following are taught:

• Fundamentals and structure of an effective compliance architecture
• Strategies for preventive legal advice for companies
• Planning and conducting internal investigations

Practical guidance is provided on how compliance violations can be identified, analysed and remedied — including cooperation with supervisory and law enforcement authorities, if necessary.

Another key focus is whistleblowing: participants learn how whistleblowing systems can be implemented in compliance with the law and how grievances can be reported and addressed internally or externally.

Finally, advanced knowledge is imparted in specific business-relevant legal areas, including:

• Criminal copyright law
• Unfair competition law
• Criminal provisions in the field of industrial property rights

The material is conveyed in a vivid and action-oriented manner through practice-oriented case studies.

Course contents at a glance:

• Corporate criminal liability and organisational fault
• Development and implementation of compliance systems
• Internal investigations and risk-oriented measures
• Whistleblowing and whistleblower protection
• Economic criminal law relating to intellectual property and competition

After completing the course, participants have specialised knowledge in corporate criminal law and criminal compliance. They are able to identify criminal risks at an early stage, develop and implement preventive compliance strategies and actively participate in internal investigations to clarify internal corporate legal violations.

This professional education offering is held regularly. The next session and registration options can be found here — if currently available.

Would you like to be notified as soon as registration is possible? Feel free to request information.

The intensive course «Criminal Procedure» forms the eighth module of the  Executive Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Economic Criminal Law. The focus is on Liechtenstein criminal procedure law, which plays a central role in economic criminal law proceedings — from the initiation of proceedings to the appeals process and international cooperation.

The course begins with the fundamental principles of criminal procedure in Liechtenstein. This is followed by an in-depth examination of the preliminary proceedings, particularly:

• Rights of the parties involved
• Taking of evidence and rules on inadmissible evidence
• Obligations to testify and rights to refuse testimony
• Investigative measures (e.g. search, seizure and surveillance)

In the main proceedings, the emphasis is on the adjudication procedure, especially the final hearing, before the appeals procedure is treated in detail.

An integral part of the course is international mutual assistance law, which is of great importance for cross-border criminal proceedings. Participants learn how mutual assistance procedures are conducted in practice and legally supported.

Finally, procedural regulations of the Administrative Penal Act (VStrG) are covered — an essential complement for dealing with so-called administrative offences.
 

Course contents at a glance:

• Liechtenstein criminal procedure law: structure and process
• Preliminary proceedings: rights, evidence, investigative measures
• Adjudication procedure and main court hearing
• Appeal, revision and other remedies
• International mutual assistance in criminal matters
• Liechtenstein administrative penal procedure

Participants acquire comprehensive knowledge of criminal procedural law, which they can apply competently in national proceedings. In addition, they are able to support cross-border criminal proceedings in a legally secure and efficient manner — a key competence in modern economic criminal law.

This professional education offering is held regularly. The next session and registration options can be found here — if currently available.

Would you like to be notified as soon as registration is possible? Feel free to request information.

The intensive course “Economic Offenses in the Criminal Code (StGB)” constitutes the second module of the Executive Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Economic Criminal Law. The course focuses on an in-depth examination of economically relevant criminal offenses in the Liechtenstein Criminal Code (StGB).
 

Participants acquire comprehensive knowledge of key economic offenses, including:

• Property offenses (e.g., fraud, breach of trust, embezzlement)
• Document-related offenses (e.g., forgery, suppression of documents)
• Insolvency offenses (e.g., fraudulent bankruptcy, creditor preference)
• Corruption offenses (e.g., bribery, acceptance of benefits, granting of benefits)

These offense categories are thoroughly analysed, systematically structured, and deepened with numerous practical case studies to provide participants with an application-oriented understanding of the law.

A particular highlight is the comparative law section at the end of the course, where international perspectives on selected economic offenses are explored. The regulations of other jurisdictions — such as German-speaking countries and selected OECD states — are examined to illustrate comparability, differences, and international standards in economic criminal law.
 

Course overview:

• Systematics of economic offenses in the Liechtenstein Criminal Code
• In-depth study of relevant economic offenses
• Case studies applying criminal law provisions
• Comparative law analysis of selected international criminal law systems
   

Upon completion, participants will possess practical knowledge of key economic offenses and an advanced understanding of their application in an international context. This module is essential for lawyers, compliance officers, and executives with responsibilities related to criminal and economic criminal law.

This professional education offering is held regularly. The next session and registration options can be found here — if currently available.

Would you like to be notified as soon as registration is possible? Feel free to request information.

The intensive course «Economic Crimes in Material Laws» is the fourth module of the Executive Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Economic Criminal Law. The focus is on those criminal provisions of secondary criminal law embedded in various material laws that are of central importance to the practice of economic criminal law.

Participants acquire advanced knowledge in the following areas:

• Tax criminal law and customs criminal law
• Accounting criminal law and capital market criminal law
• Criminal protection of secrets (e.g. trade and business secrets)
• International sanctions

Due to the accessory nature of these economic criminal offences, the underlying non-criminal behavioural norms, such as tax, customs and supervisory law provisions, are also systematically examined.

Special emphasis is placed on practical relevance: in application-oriented case studies, participants analyse concrete facts, apply criminal law provisions and develop well-founded solution strategies — directly relating to the challenges in corporate practice, compliance and criminal defence.

Course contents at a glance:

• Economic criminal offences outside the Criminal Code (StGB)
• Linking material law provisions with criminal sanctions
• Current developments in sanctions law
• Analysis and resolution of complex case scenarios from corporate practice

After successful completion of the course, participants are able to confidently identify relevant criminal offences of secondary criminal law, classify them legally and develop scientifically based solutions for complex economic criminal law issues. This creates an essential foundation for responsible conduct in business, administration and legal consultancy.

This professional education offering is held regularly. The next session and registration options can be found here — if currently available.

Would you like to be notified as soon as registration is possible? Feel free to request information.

Participants are introduced to specific topics of banking law beyond the Banking Act, such as in the field of payment institutions, payment systems and the e-money regime. In addition, they are sensitised to the area of money laundering prevention. In this module, participants also acquire comprehensive knowledge in the field of private banking contract law and standard framework agreements, which are indispensable for daily use in banking practice.

This professional education offering is held regularly. The next session and registration options can be found here — if currently available.

Would you like to be notified as soon as registration is possible? Feel free to request information.

The «Liechtenstein Economic Criminal Law Talks» are an established conference series in the Principality of Liechtenstein addressing current issues in national and international economic criminal law. The focus lies on compliance challenges as well as the impact of digitalisation on criminal law.

The talks aim to provide a platform for exchange between academia and practice. The conference series offers space for high-level expert presentations, comparative legal perspectives and interactive discussions with specialists from Liechtenstein and abroad.
 

Topics include:

• Current issues in Liechtenstein economic criminal law and criminal procedure law
• Developments in the EEA, European and international economic criminal law
• Digital transformation processes and their criminal law implications
• Criminal compliance and risk management

Participants are invited to actively engage in panel discussions and contribute their own questions to the dialogue. The "Liechtenstein Economic Criminal Law Talks" are aimed at lawyers, compliance officers, companies, authorities and anyone seeking an in-depth engagement with current developments in economic criminal law.

This professional education offering is held regularly. The next session and registration options can be found here — if currently available.

Would you like to be notified as soon as registration is possible? Feel free to request information.