Cybercrime

The Ukrainian Bar Association,  in collaboration with CyberEast+, a joint project of the European Union and of the Council of Europe, organised a training on cybercrime and electronic evidence,  addressed to 35 defence attorneys specialising in criminal justice cases from Ukraine.

Ukraine, as a Party to the Convention on Cybercrime (Budapest Convention), has committed to building the capacity of its criminal justice system to respond effectively to the challenges posed by cybercrime and offences involving electronic evidence. This initiative complements the in-depth trainings organised previously by the CyberEast+ project, for law enforcement and the judiciary. Following a tailored approach,  the training for defence attorneys enhanced their knowledge  for ensuring their role in fair trials. Legal representatives need to possess the necessary knowledge of digital processes to ensure the adequate protection of their clients, in addition to a strong understanding of the admissibility or integrity of evidence, presented by the prosecution.

The training was based on the Council of Europe HELP online Course on Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence, which comprises seven modules.  The course focuses on legal tools and good practices for effectively addressing cybercrime and handling electronic evidence, in compliance with human rights standards.

During the three-day course, participants were introduced to the substantive and procedural powers of the Budapest Convention, which enabled them to further apply the conditions and safeguards, meant to balance the requirements of law enforcement with the protection of human rights and liberties.

The event was an opportunity to highlight several priority areas for follow-up action, including the formal legal recognition of electronic evidence as a distinct category under Ukrainian law, the development of clear national standards for its handling in court, and an update of pro-bono and legal aid support frameworks.

The CyberEast+ project will continue to reinforce the capacities of criminal justice authorities in Ukraine through specialised trainings and practical exercises.

CyberEast+

Ukrainian Bar Association

Council of Europe HELP online Course on Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence

Convention on Cybercrime (Budapest Convention)