In early July 2025, the Secretariat of the Network of National Experts on Joint Investigation Teams (JITs) published its Fifth JITs Evaluation Report, providing practical findings, lessons learned, and best practices, with a particular focus on combating cybercrime. The report draws on 67 evaluations completed by JIT practitioners between December 2022 and December 2024. For previous reports →eucrim 2/2023, 164 and eucrim 2/2020, 83.

A number of challenges and best practices regarding the setting-up phase could be identified. Such challenges include delays due to national translation requirements, procedural hurdles in obtaining approvals from national authorities, and legal discrepancies between participating countries. Best practices include early engagement with Eurojust, the use of Eurojust National Desks and Liaison Prosecutors for initial contact and information sharing, and incorporating adaptable clauses in JIT agreements to address unforeseen issues.

For the operational phase, the report identified challenges such as difficulties navigating legal and procedural differences, cooperation with countries not party to the JIT, managing time constraints, and limitations of real-time interceptions. Best practices include effective coordination, communication and knowledge sharing, leveraging differences in legal systems, efficient file management, joint interviews, and the use of undercover agents within JIT parties.

The report also offers an in-depth analysis of Eurojust’s experience with JITs in cybercrime cases, outlining the added value of such setups, and the considerations that might lead to a decision not to set up a JIT. Arguments against setting up a JIT include lengthy establishment timelines, key partners in countries with which a JIT cannot be set up, or domestic investigations at different stages of readiness. When appropriate, JITs can facilitate continuous and timely data sharing, task assignment and execution (including asset recovery measures), and help prevent and resolve conflicts of jurisdiction. The report also outlines the legal and practical issues that were identified during the setup process and the operational phase with regard to JITs in cybercrime cases.

Moreover, the report provides an overview of recent developments in JITs, including available financial and logistical support and other tools developed by the JITs Network and the Secretariat. The final section looks ahead to the JITs collaboration platform scheduled to begin operations on 7 December 2025.