Frequently asked questions
Do I need a legal representative if my company is based outside the EU?
Yes, if you offer services to users in the EU and your company is not established in the EU, you are required to appoint a legal representative in an EU Member State under Directive (EU) 2023/1544. This applies regardless of where your company is headquartered — including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, or anywhere else outside the EU.
What is an 'addressee'?
An addressee is the term used in the e-Evidence framework for the designated establishment or legal representative appointed by a service provider to receive and respond to law enforcement orders for electronic evidence. When you appoint EU Evidence Rep, we become your addressee.
When is the deadline?
Service providers already offering services in the EU as of 18 February 2026 must register their addressee by 18 August 2026. Companies that begin offering services in the EU after 18 February 2026 have six months from the date they start offering services to complete registration.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
Failure to register a legal representative is a breach of the Directive as transposed into national law. In Ireland, the International Cooperation Office has enforcement powers including the ability to impose financial penalties on non-compliant service providers.
What is a European Production Order (EPOC)?
An EPOC is a legally binding order issued by a judicial authority in an EU Member State requiring a service provider to produce specific electronic data — such as subscriber information, traffic data, or content data — within 10 days (or 8 hours in an emergency).
What is a European Preservation Order (EPOC-PR)?
An EPOC-PR requires a service provider to preserve (and not delete) specific data for 60 days while a production order is being prepared. It is typically the first step before a full production order is issued.
Is my company a 'service provider' under the e-Evidence rules?
The definition is broad. It covers providers of electronic communications services, internet domain and IP services, and information society services that either enable user communication or store/process data on behalf of users. Cloud storage, SaaS platforms, AI tools, online marketplaces, messaging apps, and hosting services are all likely to be covered. If you are unsure, contact us for a free scoping conversation.
Can EU Evidence Rep act as our representative if we already have an EU entity?
If your company already has an EU establishment (for example, a subsidiary or branch office in an EU country), you may be able to designate that entity as your addressee rather than appointing an external legal representative. We can advise you on the best structure for your situation.
What does 'jointly and severally liable' mean?
It means that both the service provider and their legal representative can be held responsible for non-compliance with e-Evidence orders. This is why we take our role seriously — and why we have robust processes and professional indemnity insurance in place.
Do you work with US companies?
Yes. US-based companies are among the primary audience for our service. We are familiar with the legal tensions that can arise between EU e-Evidence obligations and US laws such as the Stored Communications Act, and we can help you navigate these complexities.
How long does registration take?
Once you provide us with the required information, we can typically complete your registration on the EU portal within a few business days. The portal itself is operated by the European Commission and registration is completed digitally.
What information do you need from us to get started?
We will need your company's registered name, contact details, company registration number, the types of services you offer to EU users, and details of your designated contact for order escalation. We will guide you through everything.