Council Framework Decision 2003/577/JHA of 22 July 2003 on the execution in the European Union of orders freezing property or evidence

The Council adopted this framework decision in 2003 on an initiative by Belgium, France and Sweden. The purpose of the framework decision is to establish the rules under which a Member State is to recognise and execute in its territory a freezing order issued by a judicial authority of another Member State in the framework of criminal proceedings.

Provisions of this framework decision regarding freezing of evidence will be replaced by the Directive concerning the European investigation order for the Member States bound by it.