Activites

• 2014/05/01 Final act published in Official Journal
  • Directive 2014/41
  • OJ L 130 01.05.2014, p. 0001
• 2014/04/03 Final act signed
• 2014/04/03 End of procedure in Parliament
• #3303
• 2014/03/14 Council Meeting
• 2014/03/14 Act adopted by Council after Parliament's 1st reading
• 2014/02/27 Results of vote in Parliament
  • Results of vote in Parliament
  • T7-0165/2014 summary

    The European Parliament adopted by 467 votes to 22 with 10 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft directive of the European Parliament and of the Council regarding the European Investigation Order (EIO) in criminal matters. Parliament adopted its position in first reading following the ordinary legislative procedure. The amendments adopted in plenary are the result of a compromise agreement between Parliament and Council. They amend the Commission proposal as follows: The European Investigation Order: a European Investigation Order (EIO) is a judicial decision which has been issued or validated by a judicial authority of a Member State to have one or several specific investigative measure(s) carried out in another Member State to obtain evidence in accordance with the Directive. The EIO may also be issued for obtaining evidence that is already in the possession of the competent authorities of the executing State. The issuing of an EIO may be requested by a suspected or accused person, or by a lawyer on his behalf, within the framework of applicable defence rights in conformity with national criminal procedure. Scope of the EIO: the EIO will have a horizontal scope and therefore should apply to all investigative measures aimed at gathering evidence. However, the setting up of a joint investigation team and the gathering of evidence within such a team require specific rules which are better dealt with separately. Without prejudice to the application of the Directive, existing instruments should therefore continue to apply to this type of investigative measure. Content and form of the EIO:  the EIO set out in the form provided for in Annex A shall be completed, signed, and its content certified as accurate and correct by the issuing authority. It shall contain specific information detailed in the text as well as linguistic provisions. Conditions for issuing and transmitting an EIO: the issuing authority may only issue an EIO where the following conditions have been met: (a) the issuing of the EIO is necessary and proportionate for the purpose of the proceedings taking into account the rights of the suspected or accused person; (b) the investigative measure(s) indicated in the EIO could have been ordered under the same conditions in a similar domestic case. Execution: the authorities of the issuing State present in the executing State shall be bound by the law of the executing State during the execution of the EIO. They shall not have any law enforcement powers in the territory of the executing State, unless the execution of such powers in the territory of the executing State is in accordance with the law of the executing State and to the extent agreed between the issuing authority and the executing authority. Recourse to a different type of investigative measure: the executing authority may also have recourse to an investigative measure other than that indicated in the EIO where the investigative measure selected by the executing authority would achieve the same result by less intrusive means than the investigative measure indicated in the EIO. Grounds for non-recognition or non-execution: the text clarified that recognition or execution of an EIO may be refused in the executing State where, inter alia: ·        there are rules on determination and limitation of criminal liability relating to freedom of the press and freedom of expression in other media, which make it impossible to execute the EIO ; ·        the execution of the EIO would be contrary to the principle of ne bis in idem (for instance when the issuing authority has provided assurances that the evidence transferred as a result of the execution of the EIO will not be used to prosecute or sanction a person whose case has been disposed in another Member State for the same facts); ·        the EIO relates to a criminal offence which is alleged to have been committed outside the territory of the issuing State and wholly or partially on the territory of the executing State, and the conduct in connection with which the EIO is issued is not an offence in the executing State; ·        the conduct for which the EIO has been issued does not constitute an offence under the law of the executing State, unless it concerns an offence listed within the categories of offences set out in Annex D (such as terrorism or trafficking in human beings), as indicated by the issuing authority in the EIO, if it is punishable in the issuing State by a custodial sentence or a detention order for a maximum period of at least three years. In addition, where the EIO concerns an offence in connection with taxes or duties, customs and exchange, the executing authority shall not refuse recognition or execution on the ground that the law of the executing State does not impose the same kind of tax or duty or does not contain a tax, duty, customs and exchange regulation of the same kind as the law of the issuing State. Legal remedies: legal remedies equivalent to those available in a similar domestic case must be applicable to the investigative measures indicated in the EIO. The substantive reasons for issuing the EIO may be challenged only in an action brought in the issuing State, without prejudice to the guarantees of fundamental rights in the executing State. A legal challenge shall not suspend the execution of the investigative measure, unless it is provided in similar domestic cases. Expenses incurred for the execution of an EIO: the expenses incurred in the territory of the executing Member State for the execution of an EIO should be borne exclusively by that Member State. However, the execution of an EIO may incur exceptionally high costs on the executing State. Such exceptionally high costs may, for example, be complex experts' opinions or large police operation or surveillance activities over a large period of time. This should not impede the execution of the EIO and the issuing and executing authorities should seek to establish which expenses are to be considered as exceptionally high. The issue of costs might become subject to consultations between the Member States concerned and they are recommended to resolve this issue during the consultations stage. As the last resort, the issuing authority may decide to withdraw the EIO or to maintain it and the part of the costs which are estimated exceptionally high by the executing State and absolutely necessary in the course of the proceedings, should be covered by the issuing State. European Arrest Warrant: an EIO may be issued for the temporary transfer of the person to the issuing State or for carrying out of a hearing by videoconference. However, where the person is to be transferred to another Member State for the purposes of prosecution, including bringing that person before a court for the purpose of the standing trial, a European Arrest Warrant should be issued in accordance with the Council Framework Decision 2002/584/JHA. With a view to the proportionate use of an EAW, the issuing authority should consider whether an EIO would be an effective and proportionate means of pursuing criminal proceedings. The issuing authority should consider, in particular, whether issuing an EIO for the hearing of a suspected or accused person by videoconference could serve as an effective alternative. Information on banking and other financial operations: an EIO may be issued in order to obtain the particulars of specified bank accounts and of banking operations which have been carried out during a specified period through one or more accounts specified within, including the particulars of any sending or recipient account. Measures have been laid down to determine which types of information should be recovered from the bank accounts. Covert investigations: an EIO may be issued for the purpose of requesting the executing State to assist issuing State in the conduct of investigations into crime by officers acting under covert or false identity (covert investigations). Covert investigations shall take place in accordance with the national law and procedures of the Member State on the territory of which the covert investigation takes place. Content of the telecommunication: it is stated that possibilities to cooperate under the provisions on interception of telecommunications should not be limited to the content of the telecommunication, but could also cover collection of traffic and location data associated with such telecommunications, allowing competent authorities to issue an EIO for purposes of obtaining less intrusive data on telecommunications. Technical assistance: technical provisions have been introduced as regards the scope of the assistance to be offered. In an EIO containing the request for interception of telecommunications the issuing authority should provide the executing authority with sufficient information such as details of the criminal conduct under investigation, in order to allow the executing authority to assess whether the measure would be authorised in a similar national case. Data protection: Member States should provide in the application of this Directive for transparent policies with regard to the processing of personal data and for the exercise of the data subject's rights to legal remedies for the protection of his or her personal data. Personal data obtained under this Directive should be processed when necessary and proportionate for purposes compatible with the prevention, investigation, detection and prosecution of crime or enforcement of criminal sanctions and the exercise of the right of defence. Only authorised persons should have access to information containing personal data which may be achieved through authentication processes. Provisional measures:  it is stated that an EIO may be issued in order to take any measure with a view to provisionally preventing the destruction, transformation, moving, transfer or disposal of item that may be used as evidence. The executing authority shall decide and communicate the decision on the provisional measure as soon as possible and, whenever practicable, within 24 hours of receipt of the EIO. Report on the application: no later than five years after the date of entry into force of this Directive, the Commission shall present to the European Parliament and the Council a report on the application of this Directive, on the basis of both qualitative and quantitative information, including in particular, the evaluation of its impact on the cooperation in criminal matters and the protection of individuals, as well as the execution of the provisions on the interception of telecommunications in light of technical developments. Annexes: the annexes of the Directive have been revised in order to clarify the content of the investigation order and list the offences that are likely to be the source of a EIO.

• 2014/02/26 Debate in Parliament
  • Debate in Parliament
• 2013/12/20 Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading
  • A7-0477/2013 summary

    The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs adopted the report by Nuno MELO (EPP, PT) on the draft directive of the European Parliament and of the Council regarding the European Investigation Order in criminal matters. The committee recommended that the position of the European Parliament adopted in first reading following the ordinary legislative procedure should amend the Commission proposal as follows: Scope of European Investigation orders (EIO): an EIO is to be issued for the purpose of having one or several specific investigative measure(s) carried out in the executing State with a view to gathering evidence. The EIO has a horizontal scope and therefore applies to all investigative measures aimed at gathering evidence. However, the setting up of a joint investigation team and the gathering of evidence within such a team require specific rules which are better dealt with separately. Existing instruments should therefore continue to apply to this type of measure. Content and form of the EIO:  the EIO set out in the form provided for in Annex A shall be completed, signed, and its content certified as accurate and correct by the issuing authority. It shall contain specific information detailed in the proposal as well as linguistic provisions. Proportionality of an order and transmission conditions: the EIO should be chosen where the execution of an investigative measure seems proportionate, adequate and applicable to the case in hand. The issuing authority should therefore ascertain whether the evidence sought is necessary and proportionate for the purpose of proceedings, whether the measure chosen is necessary and proportionate for the gathering of this evidence, and whether, by means of issuing the EIO, another Member State should be involved in the gathering of this evidence. The same assessment should be carried out in the validation procedure, when the validation of an EIO is required under this Directive. Respect of Fundamental Rights: when issuing an EIO the issuing authority should pay particular attention to ensuring full respect of the rights established in Article 48 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. The rights of the suspected or accused person to be presumed innocent until proved guilty, as much as the rights of defence in criminal proceedings are a cornerstone of the fundamental rights. Non bis in idem: the executing authority should be entitled to refuse the execution of an EIO if its execution would be contrary to the Non bis in idem principle for instance when the issuing authority has provided assurances that the evidence transferred as a result of the execution of the EIO will not be used to prosecute or sanction a person whose case has been finally disposed in another Member State for the same facts. Reasons for refusal of an EIO: if there are substantial grounds for believing that the execution of an investigative measure contained in the EIO would result in a breach of a fundamental right of the person concerned and that the executing Member State would disregard its obligations concerning the protection of fundamental rights recognised in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, the execution of the EIO should be refused. The execution of an EIO should not be refused on grounds other than those stated in this Directive, however the executing authority is entitled to opt for a less intrusive measure than the one indicated in an EIO if it makes it possible to achieve similar results. It should be possible to refuse an EIO where its recognition or execution in the executing State would involve breaching of an immunity or privilege in that State. The decision on the recognition or execution, as well as the actual execution of the investigative measure, should be carried out with the same celerity and priority as for a similar national case. Procedural guarantees in the executing State: the authorities of the issuing State shall not have any law enforcement powers in the territory of the executing State, unless the execution of such powers in the territory of the executing State is in accordance with the law of the executing State and to the extent agreed between issuing and executing authorities. Legal remedies: legal remedies available against an EIO should be at least equal to those available in the domestic case against the investigative measure concerned. In accordance with their national law Member States should ensure the applicability of these legal remedies including by informing in due time any interested party about the possibilities and modalities for seeking the legal remedies. Expenses incurred for the execution of an EIO: the expenses incurred in the territory of the executing Member State for the execution of an EIO should be borne exclusively by that Member State. However, the execution of an EIO may incur exceptionally high costs on the executing State. Such exceptionally high costs may, for example, be complex experts' opinions or large police operation or surveillance activities over a large period of time. This should not impede the execution of the EIO and the issuing and executing authorities should seek to establish which expenses are to be considered as exceptionally high. The issue of costs might become subject to consultations between the Member States concerned and they are recommended to resolve this issue during the consultations stage. As the last resort, the issuing authority may decide to withdraw the EIO or to maintain it and the part of the costs which are estimated exceptionally high by the executing State and absolutely necessary in the course of the proceedings, should be covered by the issuing State. European Arrest Warrant: an EIO may be issued for the temporary transfer of the person to the issuing State or for carrying out of a hearing by videoconference. However, where the person is to be transferred to another Member State for the purposes of prosecution, including bringing that person before a court for the purpose of the standing trial, a European Arrest Warrant should be issued in accordance with the Council Framework Decision 2002/584/JHA. Issuing authorities should consider, in particular, whether issuing an EIO for the hearing of a suspected or accused person via videoconferencing could serve as an effective alternative. Information on banking and other financial operations: an EIO may be issued in order to obtain the particulars of specified bank accounts and of banking operations which have been carried out during a specified period through one or more accounts specified within, including the particulars of any sending or recipient account. Measures have been laid down to determine which types of information should be recovered from the bank accounts. Covert investigations: an EIO may be issued for the purpose of requesting the executing State to assist issuing State in the conduct of investigations into crime by officers acting under covert or false identity (covert investigations). Covert investigations shall take place in accordance with the national law and procedures of the Member State on the territory of which the covert investigation takes place. Content of the telecommunication: it is stated that possibilities to cooperate under the provisions on interception of telecommunications should not be limited to the content of the telecommunication, but could also cover collection of traffic and location data associated with such telecommunications, allowing competent authorities to issue an EIO for purposes of obtaining less intrusive data on telecommunications. Technical assistance: technical provisions have been introduced as regards the scope of the assistance to be offered. In an EIO containing the request for interception of telecommunications the issuing authority should provide the executing authority with sufficient information such as details of the criminal conduct under investigation, in order to allow the executing authority to assess whether the measure would be authorised in a similar national case. Data protection: Member States should provide in the application of this Directive for transparent policies with regard to the processing of personal data and for the exercise of the data subject's rights to legal remedies for the protection of his or her personal data. Personal data obtained under this Directive should be processed when necessary and proportionate for purposes compatible with the prevention, investigation, detection and prosecution of crime or enforcement of criminal sanctions and the exercise of the right of defence. Only authorised persons should have access to information containing personal data which may be achieved through authentication processes. Provisional measures:  it is stated that an EIO may be issued in order to take any measure with a view to provisionally preventing the destruction, transformation, moving, transfer or disposal of item that may be used as evidence. The executing authority shall decide and communicate the decision on the provisional measure as soon as possible and, whenever practicable, within 24 hours of receipt of the EIO. Report on the application: no later than five years after the date of entry into force of this Directive, the Commission shall present to the European Parliament and the Council a report on the application of this Directive, on the basis of both qualitative and quantitative information, including in particular, the evaluation of its impact on the cooperation in criminal matters and the protection of individuals, as well as the execution of the provisions on the interception of telecommunications in light of technical developments. Annexes: the annexes of the Directive have been revised in order to clarify the content of the investigation order and list the offences that are likely to be the source of a EIO.

• 2013/12/05 Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
• #3244
• 2013/06/06 Council Meeting
  • 3244
• #3195
• 2012/10/25 Council Meeting
  • 3195
• #3096
• 2011/06/09 Council Meeting
  • 3096 summary

    The Council agreed on the main principles governing the proposed European Investigation Order (EIO) in criminal matters. This directive would allow one EU Member State to carry out investigative measures following the decision of another EU Member State, based on the principle of mutual recognition of judicial decisions.The investigative measures would, for example, include the hearing of witnesses, searches and seizures as well as, with additional safeguards, interceptions of telecommunications, observation, infiltration and monitoring of bank accounts.The agreement covers the following general issues:scope: the EIO can be used in criminal proceedings, but also in those brought by administrative authorities when there is a criminal dimension;grounds for non-recognition or non-execution: a number of safeguards ensure that an EIO will not be executed if it could harm national security interests or immunities established in the executing state, for instance rules limiting criminal liability relating to freedom of the press.

• #3051
• 2010/12/02 Council Meeting
  • 3051 summary

    Ministers continued work on the creation of a European Investigation Order (EIO) in criminal matters, with the aim of establishing mutual recognition as the basis for allowing one Member State to carry out investigative measures at the request of another Member State. On the basis of a working document, Ministers discussed five main issues:the scope of the proposal;the competent authorities in the issuing and executing state;the grounds for non-recognition or non-execution based on categories of measures;the question of proportionality and the issue of costs.Scope of the proposal: already during the preliminary discussions, delegations broadly supported the idea of setting up a single legal regime for the obtaining of evidence within the EU. Most delegations agree that such a general scope should however not extend to forms of mutual legal assistance not directly linked to the gathering of evidence and that police cooperation should also be outside the scope of this instrument. Furthermore, exceptions to the general scope would have to be listed as narrowly as possible. While the exclusion of the joint investigation teams - which benefit from a specific regime in the EU - was generally agreed from the beginning, further examination was required regarding the inclusion within the scope of the directive of specific forms of interception of telecommunications.Delegations generally supported the inclusion, within the scope of the Directive, of all forms of interception of telecommunications. However, one delegation maintained a scrutiny reservation on this solution. Further discussions will also have to be continued on the procedures with respect to which an EIO may be issued. The proposed approach of the Presidency was to focus the discussions on criminal proceedings in a first stage and assess only in a second stage if the agreed solutions could be extended to some specific kind of non-criminal procedures.The orientation drawn from the discussion is that:·        the new instrument should cover all investigative measures aimed at the obtaining of evidence, the only exception being the joint investigation teams which benefit from a specific regime in the EU;·        the discussions should focus on criminal proceedings in a first stage and assess only in a second stage if the agreed solutions could be extended to some specific kind of  noncriminal proceduresCompetent authoritiesa) Issuing authorities: from the beginning, several delegations opposed the provision introducing an obligation to recognize EIOs issued by authorities other than a judge, prosecutor or investigating magistrate. Others insisted, on the contrary, on the fact that measures covered by the Directive may be ordered by non judicial authorities, such as police investigators, according to their national law and that these authorities should therefore be able to issue an EIO. With a view to addressing this issue and taking into account the chosen legal basis for this proposal, the Presidency tabled a compromise proposal based on the introduction of a compulsory validation procedure in respect of the conformity of the EIO with the conditions for issuing of an EIO, where the latter has been issued by a competent authority other than a judge, prosecutor or investigating magistrate. This orientation was generally supported by the delegations.b) Executing authorities: delegations agreed on the need to rely on the executing State to decide which would be the competent authority for the execution of an EIO. The orientation drawn from the discussion is that: ·        the new instrument should only apply to EIOs which have been issued or validated by a judge, a prosecutor or an investigating magistrate;·        the designation of the authorities competent to execute an EIO should be left to the Member States.Grounds for non recognition or non execution based on categories of measures: most delegations agreed that, even if the evolution from mutual legal assistance to mutual recognition will not involve full automaticity in the execution of the decisions, grounds for refusal should only be specific ones and that a wide ground for refusal, drafted in general terms as in the existing regime of mutual legal assistance, should be avoided. Delegations underlined that, beside other elements, the efficiency of the instrument will depend on such approach and that accordingly, it should be ensured that there will be no step backwards in comparison to the existing instruments. The modalities of the execution will however still be governed by national law of the executing State. Some grounds for refusal such as, for example, immunity and privilege or essential national security interests should be applicable irrespective of the measures concerned. Discussions will have to be continued on the exact content of this list.Most delegations also endorsed the approach proposed by the Presidency to differentiate categories of investigative measures, on the basis of the coerciveness or intrusiveness of the measure, in order to specify the additional grounds for refusal applicable to them.The following principles highlighted during the discussion at Council gave further guidance:·        there should be no regression compared to the acquis (both MLA and mutual recognition instruments), in terms of availability of the measure and possibility of checking for double criminality;·        the current cooperation should be further improved; ·        this new approach should not add complexity for practitioners.On this basis, the Presidency presented a proposal for grounds for refusal based on a combination of generic and specific differentiation between measures and grounds for refusal linked to them. The orientation drawn from the discussion is that:·        grounds for refusals should only be specific ones;·        when differentiating between categories of investigative measures, the solution should be looked for on the basis of the threefold approach proposed by the Presidency.Proportionality: the following principles were supported by most delegations:·        proportionality should systematically be checked by the issuing authority;·        the executing authority should be entitled to opt for a less intrusive measure than the one indicated in the EIO if it makes it possible to achieve similar results;·        proportionality should not constitute a general ground for refusal for the executing authority applicable to all kinds of measures;·        direct communication between the issuing and executing authority should play an important role.The Presidency proposed to delegations an approach whereby, in addition to the proportionality check made by the issuing authority on the issuing of the EIO, the executing authority would have the possibility to consult with the issuing authority on the relevance of the execution of an EIO where it had reason to believe that, in the specific case, the investigative measure concerned a minor offence. The provision proposed by the Presidency underlined the importance of communication between the competent authorities of the issuing and executing States in order to assess the possibility, in such a case, of withdrawal of the EIO. This new provision was generally supported by the delegations. Costs: during the orientation debate at the JHA Council of 9 November, the Council agreed that disproportionate costs or lack of resources in the executing State should however not be a ground for refusal for the executing authority. With a view to further reflecting on possible alternative solutions, the Presidency proposed a solution in which there would be the possibility of making, in exceptional circumstances, the execution of the investigative measure subject to the condition that the costs will be born by (or shared with) the issuing State. In this case, the issuing authority would have the possibility to withdraw the EIO. Delegations generally agreed with this approach. However some concerns were raised as to the consequence of the solution proposed in the case where the consultations between the issuing and executing authorities do not lead to a conclusion in respect of costs or the withdrawal of the EIO. Further clarification was felt necessary and discussions will have to be continued on this specific question.

• #3043
• 2010/11/08 Council Meeting
  • 3043 summary

    The Council held a first orientation debate regarding the creation of a European Investigation Order (EIO) in criminal matters. The EIO is an initiative which was presented in May 2010 by seven Member States.Mutual recognition as the basis to allow one EU Member State to carry out investigative measures at the request of another EU Members State - with this goal in mind ministers held a first policy debate regarding the creation of a European Investigation Order (EIO) in criminal matters.On the basis of a working document (see Council doc. 15531/10), ministers focused their debate on the following key issues which touch upon the core of the principle of mutual recognition:how to limit as much as possible grounds for refusal: most Member States supported the suggestion of the presidency to move away from a general ground for refusal and, instead, take a differentiated approach according to the intrusiveness of an investigative measure. Following this idea, a wide flexibility would be maintained for the most intrusive measures such as interception of telecommunications;how to safeguard the proportionality of a request without hampering cooperation: most Member States supported that it should be the issuing state which assesses the proportionality of a request. Some estimated, however, that the executing state should also have the right to do so;how to deal with the costs for the executing state, including the impact on its human resources: one possibility discussed is to consider the sharing of costs between the issuing and executing states in well-defined circumstances. Besides that, a majority of member states considered that the costs should not constitute a ground for refusal. The main goal of this initiative is to allow one EU Member State ("the issuing state") to issue a European Investigation Order and forward it to another Member State ("the executing state") in order to have one or several specific investigative measure(s) carried out with a view to gathering evidence. The investigative measures would, for example, include the hearing of witnesses, searches and seizures as well as, with additional safeguards, interceptions of telecommunications, observation, infiltration and monitoring of bank accounts.The United Kingdom decided to participate in the EIO by using the opt-in option provided for in Protocol 21 of the Lisbon Treaty. Ireland and Denmark are not taking part.

• 2010/09/07 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
• 2010/05/21 Legislative proposal published
  • 09288/2010 summary

    PURPOSE: to establish the European Investigation Order (EIO) on criminal matters and set out the terms under which it may be executed. PROPOSED ACT: Initiative of Belgium, Bulgaria, Estonia, Spain, Austria, Slovenia and Sweden for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council.BACKGROUND: Council Framework Decision 2003/577/JHA on the execution in the EU of orders freezing property and evidence addressed the need for mutual recognition of orders to prevent the destruction, transformation, moving, transfer or disposal of evidence. However, since that instrument is restricted to the freezing phase, a freezing order needs to be accompanied by a separate request for the transfer of the evidence to the issuing state in accordance with the rules applicable to mutual assistance in criminal matters. This results in a two-step procedure detrimental to its efficiency. Moreover, this regime coexists with the traditional instruments of cooperation and is therefore seldom used in practice by competent authorities.Council Framework Decision 2008/978/JHA on the European evidence warrant was adopted to apply the principle of mutual recognition in such respect. However, the European evidence warrant is only applicable to evidence which already exists and covers therefore a limited spectrum of judicial cooperation in criminal matters with respect to evidence. Since the adoption of Framework Decisions 2003/577/JHA and 2008/978/JHA, it has become clear that the existing framework for the gathering of evidence is too fragmented and complicated. A new approach is therefore necessary.In the Stockholm programme, adopted in December 2009, the European Council called for a comprehensive system to replace all the existing instruments in this area, including the Framework Decision on the European evidence warrant, covering as far as possible all types of evidence and containing deadlines for enforcement and limiting as far as possible the grounds for refusal. This new approach is based on a single instrument called the European Investigation Order.IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.LEGAL BASE: Article 82 (1)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.CONTENT: the draft Decision provides that the European Investigation Order (EIO) shall be a judicial decision issued by a competent authority of a Member State ("the issuing State") in order to have one or several specific investigative measure(s) carried out in another Member State ("the executing State") with a view to gathering evidence within the framework of the proceedings referred to in the text. Member States shall execute any EIO on the basis of the principle of mutual recognition and in accordance with the provisions of the Directive. The Directive shall not have the effect of modifying the obligation to respect the fundamental rights enshrined in the Treaty on European Union, or of requiring Member States to take any measures which conflict with their constitutional rules. The proposal contains four Chapters. Chapter I: the European Investigation Order: the main points are:Scope of the EIO: the EIO shall cover any investigative measure with the exception of certain measures referred to in the proposal. These include the setting up of a joint investigation team, and the interception and immediate transmission of telecommunications in defined circumstances. This Directive does not apply to cross-border observations as referred to in Article 40 of the Convention of 19 June 1990 implementing the Schengen Agreement.Types of procedure for which the EIO can be issued: the EIO may be issued: a) with respect to criminal proceedings brought by a judicial authority in respect of a criminal offence under the national law of the issuing State; b) in proceedings brought by administrative authorities in respect of acts which are punishable under the national law of the issuing state by virtue of being infringements of the rules of law and where the decision may give rise to proceedings before a court having jurisdiction, in particular, in criminal matters; c) in proceedings brought by judicial authorities in respect of acts which are punishable under the national law of the issuing state by virtue of being infringements of the rules of law, and where the decision may give rise to proceedings before a court having jurisdiction, in particular, in criminal matters, and d) in connection with proceedings referred to in points (a), (b), and (c) which relate to offences or infringements for which a legal person may be held liable or punished in the issuing state.Transmission of the EIO: this is transmitted from the issuing authority to the executing authority by any means capable of producing a written record under conditions allowing the executing State to establish authenticity. Each Member State may designate a central authority to assist the judicial competent authorities. When the authority in the executing State which receives the EIO has no jurisdiction to recognise it and to take the necessary measures for its execution, it shall, ex officio, transmit the EIO to the executing authority and so inform the issuing authority.Recognition and execution: the executing authority shall recognise an EIO without any further formality being required, and shall forthwith take the necessary measures for its execution in the same way and under the same modalities as if the investigative measure in question had been ordered by an authority of the executing State, unless that authority decides to invoke one of the grounds for non-recognition or non-execution or one of the grounds for postponement.  Recourse to another type of investigative measure: the executing authority should have the possibility to use another type of measure either because the requested measure does not exist or is not available under its national law or because the other type of measure will achieve the same result as the measure provided for in the EIO by less coercive means.Grounds for refusal or postponement: to ensure the effectiveness of judicial cooperation in criminal matters, the possibility of refusing to recognise or execute the EIO, as well as the grounds for postponing its execution, should be limited.Deadlines: the decision on the recognition or execution shall be taken as soon as possible and no later than 30 days after the receipt of the EIO by the competent executing authority. Unless either grounds for postponement exist or evidence referred to in the investigative measure covered by the EIO is already in the possession of the executing State, the executing authority shall carry out the investigative measure without delay and no later than 90 days after the decision is taken. When it is not practicable in a specific case for the competent executing authority to meet the deadline, it shall without delay inform the competent authority of the issuing State by any means, giving the reasons for the delay and the estimated time needed for the decision to be taken. In this case, the time limit may be extended by a maximum of 30 days. Investigative measures implying a gathering of evidence in real time, continuously and over a certain period of time are covered by the EIO, but flexibility should be given to the executing authority for these measures given the differences existing in the national laws of the Member States.Fundamental Rights: this Directive respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised by Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union and by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, notably Title VI thereof. Nothing in this Directive may be interpreted as prohibiting refusal to execute an EIO when there are reasons to believe, on the basis of objective elements, that the EIO has been issued for the purpose of prosecuting or punishing a person on account of his or her sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, language or political opinions, or that the person's position may be prejudiced for any of these reasons.It should be noted that the United Kingdom and Ireland have notified their wish to take part in the adoption of this Directive. Denmark, on the other hand, is not taking part in the adoption of this Directive and is not bound by it or subject to its application.FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: this proposal has no implications for the EU budget.

  • DG {'url': 'http://ec.europa.eu/justice/', 'title': 'Justice'}, REDING Viviane

Documents

• Legislative proposal published: 09288/2010
• Debate in Council: 3043
• Debate in Council: 3051
• Debate in Council: 3096
• Debate in Council: 3195
• Debate in Council: 3244
• Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading: A7-0477/2013
• Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
• Results of vote in Parliament: Results of vote in Parliament
• Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T7-0165/2014
• : Directive 2014/41
• : OJ L 130 01.05.2014, p. 0001

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)