Cybercrime, Tech & AI
Criminal defence in a digital world
Technology shapes every aspect of our lives, changing the ways we live and work. The Cybercrime, Tech & AI Working Group assesses the implications of emerging technologies for criminal law and the criminal justice system.
We scrutinise developments in the fields of communications, digital evidence and AI, and we advocate the views of our members on these matters to national and international legislators and jurists by responding to consultations, speaking at conferences and delivering online seminars.
We are a forum for exchanging ideas on the effects of digitisation on working practices as criminal lawyers, ensuring our members are aware of technological developments so they can effectively represent the best interests of their clients.
Cybercrime, Tech & AI | Subgroups
E-evidence
The E-evidence subgroup concerns itself with the implications of the E-evidence Regulation and Directive which must be implemented across the EU by18 August 2026.
Video-Conferencing
The Video-conferencing subgroup considers the implications of teleconferencing and virtual meetings on the criminal justice system.
E-Justice, AI & Lawtech
The E-justice, AI and Lawtech subgroup considers the issues arising from the adoption of new technologies in the criminal justice system, including AI and the blockchain.
Coordinator: Gwen Jansen – de Wolf
Gwen Jansen – de Wolf is a criminal defence lawyer in Amsterdam with a strong focus on cases involving digital evidence and international dimensions.
She regularly acts in complex proceedings where technology and cross-border cooperation intersect.
Coordinator: George Zlati
George Zlati is a Partner at Zlati Ionescu Chiperi Law Firm, has 13+ years’ cybercrime expertise, a PhD in law, and trains judges and prosecutors as an external lecturer for the Romanian National Institute of Magistracy.
Contact: cybercrime.tech.ai.wg@ecba.org
If you are an ECBA member interested in joining a working group, please email us, providing a brief outline of your reasons for wanting to join.
Latest Posts
Data Retention and Encryption Workarounds
The ECBA contributes to FRA research on encryption workarounds by preparing input, questionnaires, and interviews with defence lawyers across Europe.
Renewal of the 2020 Videoconferencing Statement
The ECBA Cybercrime Working Group revises its 2020 videoconferencing statement, addressing trials in absentia, proportionality, and digital justice safeguards.
Harmonisation of Rules on Digital Evidence
The ECBA Cybercrime Working Group proposes EU minimum standards on digital evidence to address divergent national rules and safeguard fair trials.
LEAP Athens 6-7 February 2026
Vice Chair Gwen Jansen – de Wolf represented the ECBA in the #LEAP2026 Annual Conference in Athens, organised by Fair Trials.
ECBA Responds to EU Commission’s AI Act Consultation – January 2025
The ECBA has submitted its response to the EU Commission’s consultation on the AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689), focusing on several aspects affecting criminal law and procedure.
ECBA reply to the Call for input of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers – May 2025
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Margaret Satterthwaite, invited Member States, national human rights...
ECBA Responds to EU Commission’s AI Act Consultation – January 2025
The European Criminal Bar Association has submitted its response to the EU Commission’s consultation on the AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689),...
ECBA Position Paper on the Digitalisation of Justice – November 2024
The rapid digitalisation of justice brings both opportunities and challenges for criminal proceedings across Europe. The ECBA has published...
The ECBA calls with Fair Trials, EDRi and civil society on the EU Council, EU Parliament and EU states to ban predictive systems in policing & criminal justice – March 2022
The ECBA joins the Fair Trials and European Digital Rights initiative and civil society call on the Council of the European Union, the European...
ECBA Statement on video-conferencing in criminal cases, October 2020
The ECBA has launched a Working Group in order to discuss the use of remote video-technologies in criminal cases and has drafted an European Criminal Bar...
Current and future initiatives
The ECBA Cybercrime, Tech & AI working group is engaged in a variety of current and future initiatives, ranging from legislative monitoring to practical projects supporting defence rights across Europe. Members are warmly invited to join specific projects within this groups, contributing their expertise and shaping the outcomes together.
Data Retention and Encryption Workarounds
The ECBA contributes to FRA research on encryption workarounds by preparing input, questionnaires, and interviews with defence lawyers across Europe.
Renewal of the 2020 Videoconferencing Statement
The ECBA Cybercrime Working Group revises its 2020 videoconferencing statement, addressing trials in absentia, proportionality, and digital justice safeguards.
Harmonisation of Rules on Digital Evidence
The ECBA Cybercrime Working Group proposes EU minimum standards on digital evidence to address divergent national rules and safeguard fair trials.