Joint Investigation Teams: The participation of Europol officials*

Abstract

The first part of the article deals with the general concept of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT). After presenting the relevant legal instruments, the author focuses on Article 13 of the EU’s 2000 Mutual Legal Assistance Convention which includes the rules for setting up a JIT, its composition and competences and the information flow. The second part of the article analyses Europol’s involvement and its competences in JITs (communication, analytical and logistical support) and introduces the protocol amending the Europol Convention which establishes a proper legal basis for Europol’s involvement. Here, the focus is on Article 3a, which lays down Europol’s participation in detail. In the last part of the article, the author describes the tools and services offered by Europol, with a special focus on JITs.