The European Investigation Order-travelling without a ‘roadmap’

This paper considers the place of the EIO within the mutual recognition programme, the scope of the EIO and its application. It analyses the sufficiency of safeguards, e.g. proportionality and the effect of inconsistency in the implementation of human rights standards. In doing so it looks at whether the Roadmap for Strengthening Procedural Safeguards will assist and takes into account the views of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights and the European Data Protection Supervisor. The paper recommends specific protections for the individual, to ensure proportionality and the consistent implementation of the EIO in practice, including consistent standards for evidence gathering, data protection law and respect of human rights.