In the first analysis of the steps taken in 2012 with regard to the new EU legislation on asylum, Statewatch reviews the pieces of legislation which were agreed, but not adopted, in 2012, and those which were still under negotiation by the end of the year. Under the first category fall the Directive on Reception Conditions and the Dublin Regulation, while negotiations are still on going for the Directive on asylum procedures and the Eurodac Regulation. The outstanding issues concerning these two pieces of legislation are also analysed.