Recital (7)

Without prejudice to their institutional and administrative autonomy, Member States should have in place bodies or organisational units tasked with the prevention and repression of corruption. Member States are not obliged to create new bodies or organisational units, such as specialised courts or tribunals, under this Directive, and can decide to assign the same body or organisational unit with both preventive and repressive functions as well as with tasks related to other criminal offences, such as organised crime. In accordance with the principle of Member States’ autonomy, such bodies or units do not necessarily need to be central bodies or organisational units. With full respect for Member States’ institutional and administrative autonomy, when such anti-corruption bodies have the power to take decisions on cases brought to their attention or identified by them, or make any recommendations that they consider necessary, they should operate without undue interference or undue influence from others, thus being protected against undue external interventions or pressure. In order to ensure that such bodies or organisational units operate effectively, Member States should ensure that resources and powers allocated to such bodies or organisational units are commensurate with the proper administration of their tasks and allow for specialised knowledge on the prevention and repression of corruption.