International Legal Personality and Criminal Proceedings in the Context of Digitalisation

Abstract

Digitalization is becoming commonplace so rapidly that currently even criminal proceedings are being investigated in the context of possibility of their transition to electronic format. The paper investigates the issues not only about the use of IT-technologies and their role in individual investigative actions and about the place of electronic evidence in the list of evidence, but also about an electronic criminal case. It is known that almost any criminal case cannot proceed without evidence provided by witnesses. This necessitates the reform of the procedure applied to interrogate participants in criminal proceedings, as well as the recording of these interrogations. Such novelties are important both in terms of creating conditions for admissibility and, accordingly, reliability of evidence and in terms of guaranteeing respect for the rights and legitimate interests of persons involved in criminal proceedings. The same applies to other investigative activities that resort to IT-technologies. The national legislations of modern states create their own standards for investigative actions using digital technologies. However, all of this is of particular interest when it comes to international cooperation. The paper on the basis of the analysis of the Russian legislation explains the concept of legal personality and international legal personality. The laws of some foreign countries are also investigated. The paper also examines the issues of normative regulation of the use of digital technologies in some investigative actions including remote examination and deposit of a witness’s testimony in the framework of the provision of legal assistance in criminal matters.