In an era where communication is increasingly digital and borderless, judicial systems face new challenges, especially when it comes to investigating crime that spans countries and platforms. That’s where the INCEPT project comes in.
We’re excited to announce our participation in INCEPT (“Supporting Cross-Border Judicial Cooperation in Cases Related to Interception of Telecommunications”, GA No. 101192923) - a collaborative European initiative aimed at improving judicial cooperation and mutual legal assistance in criminal investigations, putting a particular focus on the deployment of special intelligence means for interception of telecommunications.
Led by the Law and Internet Foundation, with partners from Slovenia, the Czech Republic, and Poland, this project is a much-needed response to legal complexities surrounding the European Investigation Order (EIO) - a mechanism meant to streamline cooperation in cross-border cases.
Why This Project Matters
INCEPT is about more than technicalities - it’s about justice. While the EIO Directive (Directive 2014/41/EU) was designed to help EU countries collaborate, its application, especially when telecommunications interception was applied, has proven tricky in practice.
Different national procedures, varying interpretations of the law, and ever-changing technology have made this a complex landscape. INCEPT aims to clear a path forward by:
- Identifying key obstacles and best practices in current judicial cooperation, admissibility of evidence and national regulations and case law on EIO and interception applications.
- Developing practical Methodology and Manual to support legal professionals across the EU on how interception of telecommunications can be used in cross-border judicial cooperation
- Offering training and capacity-building for judges, prosecutors, investigators, and defense lawyers
- And ultimately, ensuring that the evidence collected is admissible and procedures are respected across borders.
Our Perspective: National Context and Contribution
Our involvement in INCEPT reflects a strong commitment to improving how our legal community handles cross-border investigations. In our national context, we’re seeing a need for support in establishing the admissibility of e-evidence and the lawful use of interception which can make, or break, an investigation.
By contributing to INCEPT, we're helping to identify the gaps, challenges, and good practices, learning from practitioners’ own experience. Whether it’s through research, consultation, or training, we aim to bring forward solutions that serve both justice and fundamental rights.
What’s Next?
INCEPT is still in its early stages, but some activities are already underway. The project began with an online kick-off meeting in February that brought together consortium partners to outline the project’s roadmap, clarify roles, and align on goals for the year ahead. It marked the beginning of what promises to be a dynamic collaboration across borders.
Later this year, training sessions and capacity-building events will begin, both at the national and international level.
Stay tuned - we’ll be sharing updates on our involvement, reflections from participants, and key insights from the field as this important project develops.
