CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE - EJTN EJTN/Criminal Justice... · legislation of the requested...
Transcript of CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE - EJTN EJTN/Criminal Justice... · legislation of the requested...
![Page 1: CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE - EJTN EJTN/Criminal Justice... · legislation of the requested state (locus regit actum) 2d stage : Presentation to the Court of the gathered evidences](https://reader036.fdocuments.in/reader036/viewer/2022070803/5f03156f7e708231d4077402/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE
“BEST PRACTICES” IN MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE
EUROPEAN JUDICIAL TRAINING NETWORK
BRUSSELS, 15 – 16 March 2016
Daniel BERNARD
Federal Magistrate
Federal Prosecutor Office of Belgium
![Page 2: CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE - EJTN EJTN/Criminal Justice... · legislation of the requested state (locus regit actum) 2d stage : Presentation to the Court of the gathered evidences](https://reader036.fdocuments.in/reader036/viewer/2022070803/5f03156f7e708231d4077402/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
I - GENERAL INTRODUCTION
National investigation
1st stage :
Need to collect evidences in order to link a suspect to criminal facts
= gathering of evidences – sometimes abroad
Application of the national legislation, international instruments and the legislation of the requested state (locus regit actum)
2d stage :
Presentation to the Court of the gathered evidences (on national and international level) in order to prosecute the suspect
= admissibility of evidences
Depends only of the national legislation and jurisprudence
2
CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE“BEST PRACTICES” IN MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE
![Page 3: CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE - EJTN EJTN/Criminal Justice... · legislation of the requested state (locus regit actum) 2d stage : Presentation to the Court of the gathered evidences](https://reader036.fdocuments.in/reader036/viewer/2022070803/5f03156f7e708231d4077402/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
PLAN OF THE PRESENTATION
BEST PRACTICES IN CROSS BORDER GATHERING OF EVIDENCES
1. Regarding the requested investigation
How do you want that the requested state collects the evidences ?
2. Regarding the way of requesting the investigation
How do you want to request the investigation measures to the requested state ?
3. Regarding the international legal framework to use
Which international legal framework do you want to use ?
4. Regarding the execution of the request in the requested state
How will the requested state execute your request and what can you do ?
3
CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE“BEST PRACTICES” IN MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE
![Page 4: CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE - EJTN EJTN/Criminal Justice... · legislation of the requested state (locus regit actum) 2d stage : Presentation to the Court of the gathered evidences](https://reader036.fdocuments.in/reader036/viewer/2022070803/5f03156f7e708231d4077402/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
1. Regarding the requested investigation in order to collect the evidence
How do you want that the requested state collects the evidences ?
Depends of the nature of the evidence you need
- hearings of suspect(s), victims, witness(es), expert(s) - eventually by video-conference
- cross examination/confrontation of suspect/witness - eventually by video-conference
- searches : houses, cars, hospitals, public administration, firms, lawyer office, …
- bank investigations : identification, historic, freezing
- telephone investigation : identification, historic, wire taps
- special police technics : observation, controlled deliveries, infiltration, ...
- gathering of information : police data base, criminal register, ongoing investigation, …
- DNA, fingerprints
- search and arrest of suspect(s)
- etc …
4
CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE“BEST PRACTICES” IN MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE
![Page 5: CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE - EJTN EJTN/Criminal Justice... · legislation of the requested state (locus regit actum) 2d stage : Presentation to the Court of the gathered evidences](https://reader036.fdocuments.in/reader036/viewer/2022070803/5f03156f7e708231d4077402/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
BEST PRACTICES REGARDING THE REQUESTED INVESTIGATION MEASURE
1. Legality :
Is the requested measure legal in your own legal system ?
Is the requested measure legal and feasible in the requested state ?
2. Proportionality :
Is the requested measure proportional to the purpose of your investigation ?
e.a. : police capacity, costs (bank data collect, phone data collect, ... )
3. Time frame :
Is the proposed time frame to collect the evidence (e.a. urgency) realisticregarding the legal rules of the requested state ?
5
CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE“BEST PRACTICES” IN MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE
![Page 6: CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE - EJTN EJTN/Criminal Justice... · legislation of the requested state (locus regit actum) 2d stage : Presentation to the Court of the gathered evidences](https://reader036.fdocuments.in/reader036/viewer/2022070803/5f03156f7e708231d4077402/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
BEST PRACTICES REGARDING THE REQUESTED INVESTIGATION MEASURE
HOW TO ANSWER THIS QUESTIONS
1. Check your own legislation / jurisprudence / practices
2. Collect the information regarding the legal system / practices of the requested state BEFORE to send the international request for legal assistance
HOW ?
→ direct contact (if possible)
→ check the appropriated website : EJN, Eurojust, EU, Council of Europe, ….
→ use of facilitators : EJN or other networks, liaison magistrate if any, liaison officers if any, Eurojust
6
CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE“BEST PRACTICES” IN MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE
![Page 7: CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE - EJTN EJTN/Criminal Justice... · legislation of the requested state (locus regit actum) 2d stage : Presentation to the Court of the gathered evidences](https://reader036.fdocuments.in/reader036/viewer/2022070803/5f03156f7e708231d4077402/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
BEST PRACTICES REGARDING THE INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENT TO USE
1. LETTER OF REQUEST
2. FREEZING ORDER
3. JOINT INVESTIGATION TEAM
4. EUROPEAN ARREST WARRANT / EXTRADITION REQUEST
5. FUTURE : EUROPEAN INVESTIGATION ORDER
7
CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE“BEST PRACTICES” IN MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE
![Page 8: CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE - EJTN EJTN/Criminal Justice... · legislation of the requested state (locus regit actum) 2d stage : Presentation to the Court of the gathered evidences](https://reader036.fdocuments.in/reader036/viewer/2022070803/5f03156f7e708231d4077402/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
BEST PRACTICES REGARDING THE INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENT TO USE
1. LETTER OF REQUEST
→ Form and countain : see article 14 of the European Convention of 20/04/1959
→ Provide in annexes any relevant information facilitating the execution
(easy check : see if you could your self execute what you ask in your LoR)
→ Use professional translators , not “Google translators”.
( a poor qualtity translation = main obstacle for the execution)
→ If doubt : consult the requested judicial authority before sending the LoR
or use the facilitators (national experts, EJN, Eurojust, …. )
→ Complete contact details in order to facilitate direct contact
Best practice for the requesting and requested authority :
exchange of the draft of the letter of request
8
CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE“BEST PRACTICES” IN MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE
![Page 9: CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE - EJTN EJTN/Criminal Justice... · legislation of the requested state (locus regit actum) 2d stage : Presentation to the Court of the gathered evidences](https://reader036.fdocuments.in/reader036/viewer/2022070803/5f03156f7e708231d4077402/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
BEST PRACTICES REGARDING THE INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENT TO USE
2. FREEZING ORDER
→ check the implementation of this tool in the requested EU Member State
→ not mandatory : can be asked by letter of request - but recommended
→ use the last updated form (available on the EJN website : judicial library – forms)
→ use the support of your national experts : Central Offices of assets recovery
9
CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE“BEST PRACTICES” IN MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE
![Page 10: CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE - EJTN EJTN/Criminal Justice... · legislation of the requested state (locus regit actum) 2d stage : Presentation to the Court of the gathered evidences](https://reader036.fdocuments.in/reader036/viewer/2022070803/5f03156f7e708231d4077402/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
BEST PRACTICES REGARDING THE INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENT TO USE
3. JOINT INVESTIGATION TEAM
→ Proportionality : serious crime
→ When limited efficiency of exchange of letters of requests :
To many LoR or need for quick reaction (interception telecommunication, freezingbank accounts, … )
→ In general, presupposes the existence of simultaneous criminal investigations in, at least, 2 (Member) States
→ Check the relevant legal basis (JIT with EU MS, COE MS, non European States)
→ use the support of your national JIT experts and JIT Secretariat
→ use the support of EUROJUST and EUROPOL when appropriate (not mandatory)
→ do not forget to decide together who will prosecute who, in each State member of the JIT
10
CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE“BEST PRACTICES” IN MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE
![Page 11: CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE - EJTN EJTN/Criminal Justice... · legislation of the requested state (locus regit actum) 2d stage : Presentation to the Court of the gathered evidences](https://reader036.fdocuments.in/reader036/viewer/2022070803/5f03156f7e708231d4077402/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
BEST PRACTICES REGARDING THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK TO USE
→ Bilateral agreements
→ Regional international conventions
e.a. Benelux, Schengen, Prüm, Scandinavian countries, East European countries, …
→ European Union conventions
29.05.2000 Convention
→ Council of Europe conventions
20.04.1959 Convention and additional Protocols
→United Nations Conventions 11
CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE“BEST PRACTICES” IN MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE
![Page 12: CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE - EJTN EJTN/Criminal Justice... · legislation of the requested state (locus regit actum) 2d stage : Presentation to the Court of the gathered evidences](https://reader036.fdocuments.in/reader036/viewer/2022070803/5f03156f7e708231d4077402/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
BEST PRACTICES REGARDING THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK TO USE
→ use of the relevant legal framework(s) and check ratification / implementation
→ send it through the relevant channel of transmission
- Inside EU : don’t missuse the Central Authorities – main rule is direct transmission between judicial authorities
→ use of facilitators : EJN or other networks, liaison magistrate if any, liaison officers if any, Eurojust
Advice : use only ONE facilitator in the same time to avoid overlaps
→ in urgent cases : send signed advanced copy of the LoR to the executing authority if already identified
12
CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE“BEST PRACTICES” IN MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE
![Page 13: CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE - EJTN EJTN/Criminal Justice... · legislation of the requested state (locus regit actum) 2d stage : Presentation to the Court of the gathered evidences](https://reader036.fdocuments.in/reader036/viewer/2022070803/5f03156f7e708231d4077402/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
BEST PRACTICES REGARDING THE GATHERING OF THE EVIDENCES
Application of the law of the requested State : “LOCUS REGIT ACTUM”
=> limited influence of the requesting State
1. BEST PRACTICES FOR THE REQUESTING STATE
→ knowledge of the particularities of the legal system of the requested state
some particularities good to know : in some countries, role of the investigating judge, main role of the police, common law versus continental law, need for judicial order for some requests (e.a. house searches)
→ check the compatibility with your national rules regarding admissibility
→ request the formalities necessary in your legal system : presence of lawyer, oath or not, …)
→ use of possibilities for the requesting authorities to assist to the execution
→ if LoR sent to several States, use the support of EUROJUST to coordinate the execution in each State (Operational coordination centre)
→ use of facilitators in order to speed up execution of the LoR13
CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE“BEST PRACTICES” IN MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE
![Page 14: CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE - EJTN EJTN/Criminal Justice... · legislation of the requested state (locus regit actum) 2d stage : Presentation to the Court of the gathered evidences](https://reader036.fdocuments.in/reader036/viewer/2022070803/5f03156f7e708231d4077402/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
BEST PRACTICES REGARDING THE GATHERING OF THE EVIDENCES
2. BEST PRACTICES FOR THE REQUESTED STATE
→ to accept to start execution of urgent LoR on the basis of signed advanced copy
→ to send an acknowledgement of receipt with complete information regarding the executing authority : identification, contact details, file reference
→ to inform as soon as possible the requesting state if need of additional information or if any difficulty in the execution
→ to make all efforts in order to guarantee the admissibility of the evidence in the requesting State
→ to execute the LoR in a reasonable time frame
14
CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE“BEST PRACTICES” IN MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE
![Page 15: CROSS BORDER GATHERING EVIDENCE - EJTN EJTN/Criminal Justice... · legislation of the requested state (locus regit actum) 2d stage : Presentation to the Court of the gathered evidences](https://reader036.fdocuments.in/reader036/viewer/2022070803/5f03156f7e708231d4077402/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Thank you for yourattention
Daniel BERNARD
Federal Magistrate
Federal Prosecutor Office of Belgium