European Justice Ministers have added their support to the agreement by the Member States' Permanent Representatives (COREPER) on the form of the Directive for Criminal Sanctions for Market Abuse (CMAD) (see FReD 7 December). CMAD is the first piece of legislation following a Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (EU) provision that the EU can adopt common minimum rules on criminal law when this is essential for effective implementation of EU policy. (Source: Justice Ministers Agree CMAD)