Impact of the Council of Europe Guidelines on Electronic Evidence in Civil and Administrative Law

Abstract

On 30 January 2019 the Council of Europe adopted guidelines on electronic evidence in civil and administrative law (hereinafter “the Guidelines”). The article summarizes and analyses this soft law instrument and explains why its creation is important for the proper administration of justice and how it addresses and reflects technological developments, new business models and evolving case-law. Several conclusions have been identified regarding how use of the Guidelines will address current practical problems for courts and attorneys while maintaining full compliance with important principles like the right to a fair trial, protection of private life and national laws of the member states.