Closing a Chapter: INCEPT Completes Its National Training Programme

Closing a Chapter: INCEPT Completes Its National Training Programme

As part of the INCEPT project, the CEELI Institute recently organised two national workshops in the Czech Republic on 3–4 March, hosted at the regional prosecutors' offices in Ostrava and Prague. These workshops mark the final national events following previously conducted workshops in Bulgaria by the Law and Internet Foundation and in Slovenia by ZRS Koper.

The EU-funded INCEPT project is dedicated to enhancing judicial cooperation and the implementation of the European Investigation Order (EIO), particularly in cases involving the interception of telecommunications. Through targeted capacity-building initiatives and the development of a comprehensive Manual and Methodology, INCEPT seeks to bridge gaps in national standards, improve cross-border collaboration, and ensure the correct and effective application of the legal framework.

A total of 75 professionals took part in the national training sessions in Ostrava and Prague. Primarily, regional prosecutors alongside police investigators. Both days were led by IT and legal expert Václav Stupka, and focused on cross-border cooperation in the interception of telecommunications, EU tools designed to streamline this process, and the evolving legislative and practical framework for handling electronic evidence.

As electronically assisted criminal activity continues to develop rapidly, investigative and justice authorities face growing pressure to adapt and respond effectively. The workshops reflected this urgency, with participants raising practical questions drawn from past investigations and exploring how to handle similar cases more efficiently and effectively in the future.

The discussions also highlighted the growing complexity of the European legal framework. As Mr. Stupka noted, key concepts such as the "interception of communications" are often defined and interpreted differently across jurisdictions, creating additional challenges for cross-border cooperation that go to the heart of what INCEPT is working to address.

What the INCEPT Methodology Tells Us: Best Practices in Cross-Border Interception

Alongside these national events, INCEPT has developed a dedicated Methodology that maps the practices making a real difference across EU Member States. Here is what the research found.

Centralise and standardise at the national level. Countries that have established a dedicated central authority for handling EIOs consistently perform better. Having a single body responsible for receiving, assessing, and routing interception requests reduces delays, improves legal consistency, and builds trust with partner states. Equally important is the use of standardised templates and checklists, ensuring that every EIO contains the technical and legal information an executing authority actually needs.

Communicate early and often. One of the most impactful practices identified is straightforward: consult before you formally submit. Early informal discussions between issuing and executing authorities allow potential legal or technical obstacles to be identified and resolved in advance. When cases span multiple jurisdictions, EU bodies such as Eurojust and the European Judicial Network can play a vital coordination role.

Keep communications secure. Interception cases involve highly law enforcement-sensitive data, and the way authorities communicate must reflect that. Best practice points firmly towards encrypted, authenticated platforms such as e-CODEX for official EIO transmission, with every transfer of intercepted data accompanied by clear documentation of its source and intended use.

Invest in practical, continuous training. Judicial authorities benefit most from training that is hands-on and cross-border — combining real case studies, simulation exercises, and workshops involving practitioners from multiple Member States. Training should cover not only the procedural framework but also the technical realities of modern communications and the fundamental rights considerations at the heart of every interception decision.

Build consistency through Standard Operating Procedures. Well-designed SOPs give judicial authorities a reliable, documented framework for handling interception requests from start to finish — reducing errors, improving consistency, and making the entire process more transparent and accountable.

What's Next

These workshops marked the final national training of the INCEPT project. The exchange will continue at the upcoming international event in Poznań, Poland on 19–20 April 2026, organised by Adam Mickiewicz University where participants and experts will build on these discussions at a cross-border level.

In the meantime, on the Incept accounts, we have been actively sharing weekly insights from the project's research and the issues discussed during the national events. Please make sure to follow the INCEPT accounts to stay up to date with the latest findings and project news. Or sign up for the newsletter.

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This project is funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement 101192923. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.