What is a JIT?What is a JIT?
• A joint investigation team (JIT) is a team consisting of judges, prosecutors and law enforcement authorities established for a fixed period and a specific purpose.
• Established by way of a written agreement between the States involved.
• Purpose to carry out criminal investigations in one or more of the involved States.
• Led by a person from the Member State in which the JIT operates.
19/04/23 Welcome to Eurojust 5
Legal FrameworkLegal Framework
• Article 13 of the 2000 MLA Convention as well as in the Framework Decision on Joint Investigation Teams from 2002.
• The Framework Decision will cease to have effect once the 2000 MLA Convention has entered into force in all Member States.
• Can involve countries outside the EU, provided that a legal basis for the creation of such JIT exists - international legal instrument, bilateral or multilateral agreement or national legislation.
19/04/23 Welcome to Eurojust 6
TraffickingTrafficking
• Trafficking in human beings (THB)is a priority crime area. 19 THB cases registered in 2004, 95 in 2013.
• UK at the forefront of using JITs to investigate THB and agreed the first ever EU THB JIT.
• Currently 25 cases UK involving THB – whether for the purposes of forced labour, sexual exploitation or illegal immigration.
• Five active JIT cases. Funding awarded to them since 2010 - €478,465.75.
19/04/23 Welcome to Eurojust 8
Advantages of a JITAdvantages of a JIT
“All the successes stemmed from the agreement and signature of 8 sheets of paper at a conference room at Eurojust”
Met Police Superintendent Bernie Gravett, 2010.
19/04/23 Welcome to Eurojust 9
Advantages of a JITAdvantages of a JIT
• Simplifies communication, co-ordination and co-operation between members and participants.
• Real time exchange of intelligence and evidence without the need for MLA requests.
• Jurisdictional and evidential issues can be addressed.• Development of common strategy• Strengthens mutual trust and interaction between
team members from different jurisdictions.• Joint working – JIT members can be present in other
jurisdictions• JIT funding - 1) travel and accommodation 2)
interpretation and translation.
19/04/23 Welcome to Eurojust 10
www.eurojust.europa.eu
Contact InformationContact Information
19/04/23 Welcome to Eurojust 11
Elisa HopleySNE for UK
+31 70 412 5254
The Document
• Breadth, e.g. purpose for which material can be
used / pre-existing material
• Flexibility, e.g. ability to amend / use other
material with prior consent
• Clarity / Understanding, e.g. differences in law
and practice
The Co-ordination Meeting
1. Hosted by Eurojust in the Hague
2. Person present / facilities
3. Presentations on status of investigations
4. Discussion of issues
5. Signing of agreement
Advantages of JIT in Burgrave
1. No need for ILORs
2. Establish relationships – Eurojust and JIT members
3. Improve understanding / develop trust
4. Agreed prosecutorial strategy
5. Ongoing mutual assistance
Outcomes• IONUT
• Convicted of complicity in trafficking; aggravated procuring of trafficking; and threats issued in context of legal proceedings.
• 4 years imprisonment.• Changed on appeal to trafficking but no change to
sentence.
• SCHWARZ
• Convicted of trafficking and aggravated procuring.• 4 years imprisonment.• Withdrew Appeal.• BOTH ordered to pay damages (approx. £10,000).