Cybercrime and Jurisdiction

Book excerpt: Combating cybercrime requires law-enforcement expertise, manpower, legislation, and policy priorities within the ambit of crime-fighting. Because of the utterly transnational character of cybercrime, countries must focus on international investigation and prosecution. As cultural and legal traditions play a major part in countries' views on the exercise of criminal law and sovereignty, a unified approach to this phenomenon requires serious reflection. This book intends to contribute to a more concerted international effort towards effectively fighting cybercrime by offering an in-depth survey of views and practices in various jurisdictions. It includes chapters on the Council of Europe's Cybercrime Convention and on international co-operation in criminal matters. Thirteen country reports, written by experts in the field, are included in alphabetical order. The book concludes by discussing one of the most urgent steps that needs to be taken: resolving positive jurisdictional conflicts when several jurisdictions seek to prosecute a cybercriminal at the same time.