Today we mark the five-year deadline for the first review of the European Investigation Order (EIO), adopted by the European Union in 2014 as a tool that would simplify and speed up cross-border criminal investigations. The European Commission is under obligation to present to the European Parliament and the Council a report on the application of the EIO Directive, including an evaluation of its impact on cooperation in criminal matters. What an interesting report it will be!
The EIO is a core instrument in judicial cooperation in the European Union. It was established by Directive 2014/41/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 regarding the European Investigation Order in criminal matters.
It replaces Letters of Request for investigative measures between Member States bound by this instrument, provides for mutual recognition of judicial decisions, and simplifies and accelerates cross-border criminal investigations.
The deadline for its transposition by the Member States was 22 May 2017.
Since 15 September 2018, all Member States take part in the EIO with the exception of Denmark and Ireland.
More on the status of implementation of the EIO Directive can be found on the EJN website.
For the practical application of this legal instrument, check the EJN Practical tools for judicial cooperation.
