Improving reliability and security of Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) transmission procedures to enhance efficiency of judicial cooperation in criminal matters

ended

Objectives: To conduct a comprehensive feasibility assessment and draft regulations leading to the creation by INTERPOL of a reliable and secure electronic Platform for the transmission of formal MLA exchanges in criminal matters. The project will modernize MLA processes in the framework of existing European Union (EU) and Council of Europe (COE) legal instruments. Activities: a) Carry out desk research and informal consultations with selected practitioners to identify basic issues and options towards the creation of the Platform; b) Organize the kick-off meeting of a Working Group with practitioners from EU, COE member countries and countries with which the EU has concluded MLA treaties; c) Elaborate an advanced version of the feasibility study; d) Organize the 2nd meeting of the Working Group to finalize the Study; e) Prepare draft regulations governing the use of the Platform; f) Organize the 3rd meeting of the Working Group to validate the draft regulations. At the end of the project, the Platform’s legal framework and specifications will be designed and thus prepare the ground for its technical establishment by INTERPOL as a tool initially linking EU member countries and selected third countries. Type and number of persons benefiting from the project: The e-MLA Initiative is addressed to European States’ authorities competent in the field of judicial cooperation in criminal matters as well as authorities of third States with which the EU has concluded MLA treaties (i.e. at least 5000 legal professionals). Expected results: - Streamline transmission procedures and improve transmission times; - Improve volume and quality of MLA exchanges between European States and third States. Type and number of outputs to be produced: - Three Working Group meetings; - Three Discussion Papers to guide each Working Group meeting; - Conclusion reports after each meeting; - A comprehensive Feasibility Study; - Draft regulations on the establishment of the Platform.