The interception of communication in France and Italy – what relevance for the development of English law?

This article examines the distinctive features of the interception of communications regimes in the jurisdictions of France and Italy, focusing only on telephone tapping provisions. This comparative study focuses on the actors involved in the interception of communications either for authorisation or execution purposes, as well as its scope and duration. Finally, the article will attempt to assess the relevance of foreign experiences for the development of English law. The potential use of the information obtained as evidence at trial will be thus particularly relevant to the discussion.