“EVIDENCE2e-CODEX Linking EVIDENCE into e-CODEX for EIO and MLA procedures in Europe” Project (EVIDENCE2e-CODEX) aims to facilitate and encourage international cooperation in the criminal sector between the involved Member State authorities by improving the conditions for a secure and fast exchange of electronic evidence in the EU. In pursuit of this objective the project will develop a uniform framework for the easy and reliable exchange of electronic evidence in the specific context of the European Investigation Order in criminal matters (EIO) and Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) Procedure, regulated by the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, adopted by the Council of Europe.
The lack of internal border control in EU and the increasing use of Internet technologies give EU criminality a cross-border dimension. Consequently, fast and secure procedures for access and exchange of electronic evidence in foreign jurisdictions is a vital prerequisite for the effective fight against crime. In response to the needs, EVIDENCE2e-CODEX builds upon the achievements of two projects - e-CODEX (2010-2016) and EVIDENCE (2014-2016), combining the EVIDENCE Road Map for harmonizing the exchange of electronic evidence in EU with the e-CODEX technological instruments used for the cross-border exchange of information between MS authorities in the field of justice.
The project will pursue several main objectives:
To create a legally valid instrument for the exchange of digital evidence related to MLA and EIO procedures over e-CODEX
To provide the legal and technical communities involved with ‘ready to use’ information on EIO, digital evidence and e-CODEX
To develop a ‘true to life’ example of how electronic evidence can be shared over e-CODEX in a secure and standardized way to support MLA and EIO cases
To develop a theoretical approach for ‘large file handling’ if possible followed by a specification for the practical implementation, as digital evidence could come in ‘large size’
To develop and work towards the implementation of an Action Plan and Guidelines for EU-wide implementation of the ‘true to life’ example.
LIBRe Foundation is participating in EVIDENCE2e-CODEX alongside 17 other partners from 10 different countries. Amongst the partners are representatives of different law families, including six MS Ministries of Justice, which will assist for the implementation of the project achievements in practical scenarios within the judiciary of the involved Member States.
For the progress of project EVIDENCE2e-CODEX keep track on project’s website.