Legality of Evidence in Criminal Proceedings in the Light of the European Convention on Human Rights

1 Abstract This PhD thesis focuses on the legality of evidence in criminal proceedings in the light of the European Convention on Human Rights ("the Convention"). At first sight it might seem that this field is only remotely connected with the Convention. In fact, none of the provisions of the Convention expressly regulates issues of evidence and the European Court of Human Rights ("the ECtHR") traditionally refuses to rule on the legality and the admissibility of evidence having regard to its subsidiary role and the doctrine of fourth instance. Yet the days when the question of the legality of evidence was exclusively a matter of domestic law are now long gone, as is evidenced by the relatively abundant jurisprudence of the ECtHR and the former European Commission of Human Rights (jointly "the Convention organs"). Moreover, Strasbourg case-law has been evolving dynamically in this area. It is thus one of the challenges currently facing both legal science and practice which stand before the difficult task to capture and influence these developments. The gathering of evidence in criminal proceedings often conflicts with the fundamental rights of individuals. Consequently, it is not surprising that the jurisprudence of the Convention organs dealing with issues of evidence has developed particularly in the..