Exchange of Information Between Judicial Authorities in Different Steps of Criminal Proceedings

Abstract

The judicial authorities conducting investigations or criminal proceedings might need certain information from the judicial authorities of other Member States. In that case, the legal instrument most frequently applied in the EU is the 2000 Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance, which allows direct contacts and the transmission of relevant information through the issuing and execution of letters of request. There is also a long list of legal instruments inspired on the principle of mutual recognition, on the basis of which the judicial authorities are entitle to exchange some information, for example, in order to clarify certain elements of the order received, or ask for additional information.

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