Europees Verdrag aangaande de wederzijdse rechtshulp in strafzaken
Partijen met voorbehouden, verklaringen en bezwaren
Partij | Voorbehoud / verklaring | Bezwaren |
---|---|---|
Albanië | Ja | Nee |
Andorra | Ja | Nee |
Armenië | Ja | Nee |
Azerbeidzjan | Ja | Nee |
België | Ja | Nee |
Bulgarije | Ja | Nee |
Chili | Ja | Nee |
Cyprus | Ja | Nee |
Denemarken | Ja | Nee |
Duitsland | Ja | Nee |
Estland | Ja | Nee |
Finland | Ja | Nee |
Frankrijk | Ja | Nee |
Georgië | Ja | Nee |
Griekenland | Ja | Nee |
Hongarije | Ja | Nee |
Ierland | Ja | Nee |
IJsland | Ja | Nee |
Israël | Ja | Nee |
Italië | Ja | Nee |
Kroatië | Ja | Nee |
Letland | Ja | Nee |
Liechtenstein | Ja | Nee |
Litouwen | Ja | Nee |
Luxemburg | Ja | Nee |
Malta | Ja | Nee |
Moldavië | Ja | Nee |
Monaco | Ja | Nee |
Montenegro | Ja | Nee |
Nederlanden, het Koninkrijk der | Ja | Nee |
Noorwegen | Ja | Nee |
Oekraïne | Ja | Nee |
Oostenrijk | Ja | Nee |
Polen | Ja | Nee |
Portugal | Ja | Nee |
Roemenië | Ja | Nee |
Russische Federatie | Ja | Nee |
San Marino | Ja | Nee |
Servië | Ja | Nee |
Slovenië | Ja | Nee |
Slowakije | Ja | Nee |
Spanje | Ja | Nee |
Tsjechië | Ja | Nee |
Turkije | Ja | Nee |
Verenigd Koninkrijk | Ja | Ja |
Zuid-Korea | Ja | Nee |
Zweden | Ja | Nee |
Zwitserland | Ja | Nee |
Albanië
04-04-2000
The execution of letters rogatory for search or seizure of property shall be dependant
on the conditions stipulated in Article 5, paragraph 1, letters "a" and "c".
In accordance with Article 15, paragraph 6, Albania declares that a copy of all requests
for assistance which are communicated directly between judicial authorities, as well
as of accompanying acts, shall be transmitted at the same time to its Ministry of
Justice.
In accordance with Article 16, paragraph 2, Albania declares that requests and annexed
documents shall be accompanied by an official translation into one of the official
languages of the Council of Europe, unless agreements concluded on the basis of reciprocity
provide otherwise.
02-08-2006
In accordance with Article 24 and for the purposes of the Convention, the Republic
of Albania considers the following to be as the judicial authorities:
The Supreme Court
The Courts of Appeal
The Courts of First Instance
The General Prosecutor Office
The Prosecutor Offices at the Courts of Appeals
The Prosecutor Offices at the Courts of First Instance.
Andorra
26-04-2005
In accordance with Article 5 of the Convention, the Principality of Andorra reserves
the ability to submit the execution of letters rogatory, for the purposes of search
or seizure of objects, to the conditions provided for by Article 5, paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs
a and c, of the Convention.
For the purposes of Article 7, paragraph 3, the Principality of Andorra declares that
service of a summons on an accused person in a criminal procedure who is in its territory
should be transmitted to the Andorran authorities at least 30 days before the date
set for the appearance of this person.
The Principality of Andorra declares also that, when the subject of a letter rogatory
includes a summons to appear in court as person charged, injured party, expert or
witness, the summons can be made by a registered letter if the law of the requesting
State authorises it.
Taking into account what is stipulated in Article 15, paragraph 6, the Principality
of Andorra declares the following:
A copy of the letters rogatory referred to in Article 15, paragraph 2 and of the requests
for a preliminary investigation mentioned by Article 15, paragraph 4, shall be transmitted
to the Ministry of Justice and of Interior of the Government of Andorra.
In case of urgency, the Andorran judicial authorities will return the letters rogatory,
executed or not according to the case, to the authorities indicated in Article 15,
without prejudice to the fact that, simultaneously, they may be transmitted through
Interpol or handed over to the authorities of the requesting State expressly entitled
thereto.
The Principality of Andorra declares that, in accordance with Article 16, paragraph
2, the requests and the annexed documents, should be addressed to the Andorran authorities
accompanied by a translation into Catalan, Spanish or French.
The Principality of Andorra declares that in case of urgency, information referred
to in Article 21 can be addressed simultaneously to the Ministry of Justice and of
Interior and to the Public Prosecutor of the Principality of Andorra accompanied by
all the necessary information for the procedure brought into action.
Regarding Article 2 of the Convention, the Principality of Andorra reserves the right
to grant mutual assistance in pursuance of the Convention at the express condition
that the results of inquiries as well as information contained in the documents and
files transmitted cannot, without its prior consent, be used or transmitted by the
authorities of the requesting Party for purposes (of investigations or procedures)
different from those indicated in the request.
Regarding Article 2 ot the Convention, the Principality of Andorra reserves the right
to refuse a request for mutual assistance:
a) if the criminal offences upon which a letter rogatory is based are not punished
by the Andorran Law as criminal offences;
b) if the person subject of the request has been convicted by a final judgment in
the Principality of Andorra and that he/she has served his/her sentence or if he/she
has been acquitted in Andorra for the same facts.
With respect to Article 13 of the Convention, the Principality of Andorra reserves
the ability to submit the communication of extracts from judicial records of a person
residing in the Principality of Andorra to the condition that he/she has been indicted
or summoned to a judgment as the accused.
Concerning Article 22 of the Convention, the Principality of Andorra declares that,
due to the internal organisation and the functioning of the register of judicial records,
the authorities responsible for keeping the register of judicial records are not able
to guarantee a systematical exchange of information concerning decisions to convict
contained in these registers.
Nevertheless, upon the previous request of the foreign judicial authority who is competent
for a specific criminal procedure, these authorities will deliver the extracts of
judicial records of foreigners not residing in the Principality of Andorra and of
residents having been charged or summoned to appear in court as the accused.
In accordance with Article 24, the Principality of Andorra declares that it considers
as judicial authorities of the Principality of Andorra for the purposes of this Convention,
the following authorities:
- the Higher Court of Justice of Andorra;
- the Court of Corts (Court with exclusively criminal competences);
- The President of the Court of Corts;
- The Court of Batlles (Court of first instance);
- The Batlle (the judge);
- The Prosecutor General;
- The Deputy Prosecutor.
Armenië
24-10-2008
In addition to the grounds provided for in Article 2, the Republic of Armenia reserves
the right to refuse assistance in any one of the following cases:
a) if the offence, in respect of which legal assistance is requested, is not qualified
as a "crime" and is not punishable under the legislation of the Republic of Armenia,
b) if, in respect of the criminal offence for which legal assistance is requested,
an action is brought in the Republic of Armenia,
c) if there is a judgement in force or another final decision regarding the criminal
offence, in respect of which legal assistance is requested.
In accordance with Article 3 of the Convention, the Republic of Armenia at the time
of execution of any letters rogatory for procuring evidence of witnesses will take
into account Article 42 of the Constitution according to which a person shall not
be compelled to be a witness against himself or herself, or to be a witness against
his or her spouse or against a close relative.
In conformity with Article 5 of the Convention, the Republic of Armenia reserves the
right to make the execution of letters rogatory for search and/or seizure of property
dependent on the conditions, provided for in sub-paragraphs a, b, c, paragraph 1 of
Article 5 of the Convention.
In accordance with Article 7 of the Convention, the Republic of Armenia declares that
the letters rogatory for service of summons shall be transmitted not less than 50
days before the date set for appearance.
In accordance with Article 15, paragraph 6, a copy of all requests for assistance,
which are communicated between judicial authorities, in the cases provided in paragraph
2 of the same Article, shall be transmitted simultaneously to the Ministry of Justice
of the Republic of Armenia.
In accordance with Article 16, paragraph 2, the Republic of Armenia declares that
requests and annexed documents shall be accompanied by certified translation into
the Armenian language or one of the official languages of the Council of Europe.
In accordance with Article 24 of the Convention, for the purposes of the Convention,
the judicial authorities for the Republic of Armenia shall be:
Ministry of Justice
General Prosecutor's Office
Police of the Republic of Armenia
Ministry of National Security
Court of Cassation
Courts of Review
District courts of first instance of Yerevan City
Kotayk Region court of first instance
Ararat Region court of first instance
Armavir Region court of first instance
Aragatzotn Region court of first instance
Shirak Region court of first instance
Tavoush Region court of first instance
Gegharqunik Region court of first instance
Vayotz Tzor Region court of first instance
Sjuniq Region court of first instance.
Azerbeidzjan
04-07-2003
The Republic of Azerbaijan declares that it will be unable to guarantee compliance
with the provisions of the Convention in its territories occupied by the Republic
of Armenia until these territories are liberated from that occupation [...].
The Republic of Azerbaijan declares that letters rogatory relating to criminal matters
provided for in Article 3 of the Convention and for the purpose of procuring evidence
shall be executed by taking into consideration the provisions of Article 66 of the
Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan:
"Extract from the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan:
Article 66. Prohibition on testifying against relatives
"No one may be forced to testify against him/herself or against his/her spouse, children,
parents or siblings. The complete list of relatives against whom testifying is not
obligatory is spectified by law."
The Republic of Azerbaijan declares that letters rogatory for search or seizure of
property shall be executed on conditions provided for in sub-paragraphs a and c of
Article 5, paragraph 1, of the Convention.
In accordance with Article 7 of the Convention, the Republic of Azerbaijan declares
that service of summons on a person shall be transmitted not less than 50 days before
the date set for appearance.
In accordance with Article 15, paragraph 6, of the Convention, the Republic of Azerbaijan
declares that all requests for assistance which are communicated directly between
judicial authorities, as well as other covering documents shall be transmitted at
the same time to the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
In accordance with Article 16, paragraph 2, of the Convention, the Republic of Azerbaijan
declares that requests or any other documents relating to the application of the Convention
shall be accompanied by a translation into Azerbaijani or English.
In accordance with Article 23, paragraph 1, of the Convention, the Republic of Azerbaijan
declares that in addition to grounds provided for in Article 2 of this Convention,
the assistance may be refused also in the following cases:
- if the request for assistance concerns acts which are not qualified as an offence
under the legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan;
- if there is an enforceable judgment of the court of the Republic of Azerbaijan or
of a third State in respect of the person for committing the same offence of which
he is suspected or accused in the requesting State;
- if the request for assistance concerns an offence that is under the investigation
or judicial consideration in the Republic of Azerbaijan and if the postponement of
execution of this request is impossible.
In accordance with Article 24 of the Convention, the Republic of Azerbaijan declares
that, for the purposes of the Convention, the following authorities shall be deemed
as judicial authorities:
- the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan;
- the General Prosecutor Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan;
- the courts of the Republic of Azerbaijan (except the Constitutional Court).
België
13-08-1975
The Government of the Kingdom of Belgium reserves the right not to comply with a request
for assistance
a. if there are good grounds for believing that it concerns an inquiry instituted
with a view to prosecuting, punishing or otherwise interfering with an accused person
because of his political convictions or religion, his nationality, his race or the
population group to which he belongs;
b. is so far as it concerns a prosecution or proceedings incompatible with the principle
non bis in idem;
c. in so far as it concerns an inquiry into acts for which the accused person is being
prosecuted in Belgium.
The Government of the Kingdom of Belgium will not grant temporary transit as provided
for in Article 11, save where the person concerned is serving a sentence in its territory
and where there are no special considerations opposed thereto.
The Government of the Kingdom of Belgium will not notify the subsequent measures referred
to in Article 22 except in so far as the organisation of its judicial records allows
of so doing.
By reason of the special arrangements between the Benelux countries, the Government
of the Kingdom of Belgium does not accept Article 26, paragraphs 1 and 3 in respect
of its relations with the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
The Government of the Kingdom of Belgium reserves the right to derogate from these
provisions in respect of its relations with other member States of the European Economic
Community.
The Government of the Kingdom of Belgium declares that letters rogatory for search
or seizure within Belgium will not be executed save for extraditable offences within
the meaning of the European Convention on Extradition, and provided that the Belgian
court has authorised execution in accordance with its municipal law.
The Government of the Kingdom of Belgium declares that, as regards Belgium, judicial
authorities for the purposes of the Convention are to be understood as meaning members
of the judiciary responsible for administering the law, examining magistrates and
members of the Department of Public Prosecution.
10-02-2010
On 1 February 2010, a Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Kingdom
of Belgium came into effect under which the Netherlands made available to Belgium
a prison located on Dutch territory (Tilburg) for the execution of criminal sentences
imposed in Belgium under Belgian law. The Convention applies in principle until 31
December 2012, but the validity period may be reduced to 31 December 2011, or extended
until 31 December 2013.
The Convention contains a specific provision for criminal co-operation with third
States. Article 18 of the
Convention deals with criminal action at the request of third States concerning Belgian
prisoners detained in the prison located on Dutch territory. According to the first
paragraph of this provision, the Netherlands will not examine requests for extradition
and/or mutual assistance from third States, but they will transmit them to Belgium.
This agreement logically follows on from other provisions of the Convention, according
to which the judicial and other authorities of the Netherlands do not normally deal
with prisoners of the prison of Tilburg.
In this context, Belgium and the Netherlands communicate the following:
Requests for extradition and provisional arrest
We recommend that States Parties to the European Convention on Extradition send exclusively
to the Belgian authorities requests for extradition and provisional arrest of persons
detained in the prison of Tilburg under the Convention concluded on 31 October 2009
in Tilburg between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Kingdom of Belgium, on the
provision of a prison in the Netherlands for the enforcement of prison sentences imposed
under Belgian law. If the Dutch authorities still receive requests for extradition
or for provisional arrest of these persons, they will not deal with them but will
transmit them to the Belgian authorities for further action.
Alerts via Interpol for the surrender and the requests for provisional arrest of persons
who are in the prison in Tilburg will not be carried out in the Netherlands.
Requests for mutual assistance
We recommend that central and judicial authorities of the States Parties to the Convention
on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters send exclusively to the competent Belgian
authorities requests for mutual assistance concerning persons detained in the prison
of Tilburg under the Convention concluded on 31 October 2009 in Tilburg between the
Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Kingdom of Belgium, on the provision of a prison
in the Netherlands for the enforcement of prison sentences imposed under Belgian law.
If, nevertheless, requests for mutual assistance concerning these persons are sent
to the Netherlands, they will be forwarded to the competent authorities of the Kingdom
of Belgium.
16-02-2021
In accordance with Article 24 of the Convention as amended by Article 6 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, the Kingdom of Belgium, as a Member State of
the European Union participating in the enhanced cooperation on the establishment
of the European Public Prosecutor's Office, declares that the European Public Prosecutor's
Office ("EPPO"), in the exercise of its competences, as provided for by Articles 22,
23 and 25 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, shall be deemed to be a judicial authority
for the purpose of issuing requests for mutual assistance in accordance with the Convention
and its Protocols, as well as for the purpose of providing, on request of another
Contracting Party in accordance with the Convention and its Protocols, information
or evidence which the EPPO has obtained already or may obtain following the initiation
of an investigation in the area of its competence. The EPPO shall also be deemed to
be a judicial authority for the purpose of receipt of information in accordance with
Article 21 of the Convention, in respect of offences within its competence as provided
for by Articles 22, 23 and 25 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939. This declaration
is intended to supplement the previous declarations made by Belgium in accordance
with Article 24 of the Convention.
With reference to this declaration made in accordance with Article 24 of the Convention,
the Kingdom of Belgium avails itself of the opportunity to interpret the legal effects
of that declaration as follows:
a) Where the Convention or its Protocols refer to the requesting Party or the requested
Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European Public
Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to the EU Member State of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor whose powers and functions are referred to in Article
13 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
b) Where the Convention or its Protocols refer to the law of the requesting or the
requested Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European
Public Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to Union law, in particular
Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, as well as to the national law of the EU Member
State of the competent European Delegated Prosecutor, to the extent applicable in
accordance with Article 5(3) of that Regulation.
c) Where the Convention or its Protocols provide for the possibility for a Party to
make declarations or reservations, all such declarations and reservations made by
the Kingdom of Belgium shall be deemed applicable in case of requests made by another
Party to the European Public Prosecutor's Office whenever a European Delegated Prosecutor
located in the Kingdom of Belgium is competent in accordance with Article 13(1) of
Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
d) As a judicial requesting authority acting in accordance with Article 24 of the
Convention as amended by Article 6 of the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention,
the European Public Prosecutor's Office shall comply with any conditions or restrictions
on the use of information and evidence obtained, which may be imposed by the requested
Party based on the Convention and its Protocols.
e) Obligations imposed upon the requesting Party by Article 12 of the Convention
shall also be binding upon the judicial authorities of the EU Member State of the
competent European Delegated Prosecutor. The same applies in case of obligations of
the requesting Party under Article 11 of the Convention as amended by Article 3 of
the Second Additional Protocol and under Articles 13, 14 and 23 of the Second Additional
Protocol in respect of the EU Member State of the European Delegated Prosecutor competent
in accordance with Article 13(1) of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention as amended by Article 4 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, the Kingdom of Belgium declares that requests
to the European Public Prosecutor's Office for mutual assistance as well as information
laid by a Contracting Party in accordance with Article 21 of the Convention shall
be addressed directly to the European Public Prosecutor's Office and the declaration
made in accordance with Article 15 of the Convention shall not apply in the case of
the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. Requests for mutual assistance shall be sent
either to the Central Office of the European Public Prosecutor's Office or to the
European Delegated Prosecutor's Office(s) of that Member State. The EPPO shall, where
appropriate, forward such request to the competent national authorities if the EPPO
either does not have or is not exercising its competence in a particular case.
In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention as amended by Article 4 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, the Kingdom of Belgium furthermore declares
that applications in accordance with Article 11 of the Convention as amended by Article
3 of the Second Additional Protocol, and Articles 13 and 14 of the Second Additional
Protocol as they refer to the above mentioned Article 11, initiated by one of the
European Delegated Prosecutors in that EU Member State, shall be transmitted by the
federal public service Justice (Ministry of Justice) of the Kingdom of Belgium.
In accordance with Article 33(2) of the Second Additional Protocol, the Kingdom of
Belgium declares that the European Public Prosecutor's Office may, where a joint investigation
team as referred to in Article 20 of that Protocol is intended to operate on the territory
of the Kingdom of Belgium, act in the capacity of "competent authority" in accordance
with Article 20 of that Protocol only with the prior consent of the Federal Prosecutor’s
Office of the Kingdom of Belgium and in accordance with Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939
and the applicable national law.
Bulgarije
17-06-1994
The Republic of Bulgaria declares that it reserves the right to execute letters rogatory
for search or seizure of property only on the conditions set out in Article 5 paragraph
1 (a) and (c).
The Republic of Bulgaria declares that a summons on an accused person who is in its
territory must be transmitted to the competent authorities no later than 50 days before
the date set for that person's appearance.
The requirement to communicate extracts from judicial records applies solely to such
information concerning pending criminal cases as is not covered by official secrecy
under Bulgarian law.
The Republic of Bulgaria declares that requests for assistance or letters rogatory
must be addressed to the Ministry of Justice.
The Republic of Bulgaria declares that, for the purposes of the Convention, it deems
to be judicial authorities the Courts, the Public Prosecutor Office and the Ministry
of Justice.
11-03-2002
The Republic of Bulgaria declares that it will require that requests for assistance and annexed documents be accompanied by a translation into Bulgarian, or in the absence of such, by a translation into either of the official languages of the Council of Europe.
06-01-2004
On 12 November 2003 the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria adopted a Law
amending the Law for the Ratification of the European Convention on Mutual Assistance
in Criminal Matters and the Additional Protocol thereto, the Convention on the Transfer
of Sentenced Persons and the European Convention on Extradition and the two Additional
Protocols thereto. The said Law was published in the Official Journal, No. 103/2003,
dated 25 November 2003.
Therefore, the reservation made by the Republic of Bulgaria in respect of Article
2 of the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters is partially
withdrawn and shall read:
The Republic of Bulgaria declares that it will refuse legal aid in cases where:
- the offender shall not be held responsible by virtue of amnesty;
- the criminal responsibility is precluded by statutory limitation;
- after having committed the offence, the offender has fallen into a state of lasting
mental disturbance precluding criminal responsibility;
- there is a pending penal procedure, an enforceable sentence, an order or an enforceable
decision to terminate the case, with respect to the same person for the same offence.
11-03-2022
In accordance with Article 11 of the Convention, as amended by Article 3 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, the Republic of Bulgaria declares that applications
under this article and in accordance with Articles 13 and 14 of the Second Additional
Protocol to the Convention, initiated by an European Delegated Prosecutor in a Member
State of the European Union, shall be transmitted to the authorities determined by
the Republic of Bulgaria in the declaration made under Article 15, paragraph 8, letter
b, of the Convention, as formulated in Article 4 of the Second Additional Protocol.
In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention, as amended by Article 4 of its Second
Additional Protocol, the Republic of Bulgaria declares that requests for mutual assistance
to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, as well as information laid by a contracting
Party in accordance with Article 21 of the Convention shall be addressed directly
to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. Requests for mutual assistance shall be
sent either to the Central Office of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office or to
the European Delegated Prosecutor of that Member State. The European Public Prosecutor’s
Office shall, where appropriate, forward such request to the competent national authorities,
if the European Public Prosecutor’s Office either does not have or is not exercising
its competence in a particular case.
In the declaration under Article 15, paragraph 6, of the European Convention on Mutual
Assistance in Criminal Matters, as formulated in Article 4 of the Second Additional
Protocol, a comma shall be inserted at the end and the following text shall be added
“whereas this order shall not apply in the case of the European Public Prosecutor’s
Office”.
In the declaration under Article 15, paragraph 8, letter b, of the European Convention
on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, as formulated in Article 4 of the Second
Additional Protocol, a comma shall be inserted at the end and the following text shall
be added “whereas this order shall not apply in the case of the European Public Prosecutor’s
Office”.
[Note by the Secretariat: the two abovementioned declarations now read as follows:
“In accordance with Article 15, paragraph 6, of the European Convention on Mutual
Assistance in Criminal Matters, as worded by Article 4 of the Second Additional Protocol,
the Republic of Bulgaria defines courts that have passed the convictions as competent
authorities to which requests for copies of convictions and subsequent measures under
Article 4 of the Second Additional Protocol may be forwarded, whereas this order shall
not apply in the case of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. In accordance with
Article 15, paragraph 8, sub-paragraph b, of the European Convention on Mutual Assistance
in Criminal Matters, as worded by Article 4 of the Second Additional Protocol, the
Republic of Bulgaria declares that execution of all requests for legal assistance
shall be determined by observation of the requirement of subparagraph "b" of paragraph
8 of Article 15. Central authority under sub-paragraph "b" regarding requests for
legal assistance in pre-trial proceedings shall be the Supreme Cassation Prosecutor's
Office, and for the rest of the requests for legal assistance under sub-paragraph
"b", the Ministry of Justice, whereas this order shall not apply in the case of the
European Public Prosecutor’s Office.”]
The Republic of Bulgaria, in accordance with Article 24 of the Convention, as amended
by Article 6 of its Second Additional Protocol, in its capacity as a Member State
of the European Union, participating in the enhanced cooperation on the establishment
of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, furthermore declares that the European
Public Prosecutor’s Office in the exercise of its competences, as provided for by
Articles 22, 23 and 25 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, of 12 October 2017, implementing
enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office,
shall be deemed to be a judicial authority for the purpose of issuing requests for
mutual assistance in accordance with the Convention and its protocols, as well as
for the purpose of providing, on request of another Contracting Party in accordance
with the Convention and its protocols, information or evidence, which the European
Public Prosecutor’s Office has obtained already or may obtain following the initiation
of an investigation in the area of its competence. The European Public Prosecutor’s
Office shall also be deemed to be a judicial authority for the purpose of receipt
of information in accordance with Article 21 of the Convention in respect of offences
within its competence, as provided for by Articles 22, 23 and 25 of Council Regulation
(EU) 2017/1939.
The Republic of Bulgaria avails itself of the opportunity to interpret the legal effects
of that declaration as follows:
Where the Convention or its protocols refer to the requesting Party or the requested
Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European Public
Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to the European Union Member State
of the competent European Delegated Prosecutor whose powers and functions are referred
to in Article 13 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
Where the Convention or its protocols refer to the law of the requesting or the requested
Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European Public
Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to Union law, in particular Council
Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, as well as to the national law of the European Union Member
State of the competent European Delegated Prosecutor, to the extent applicable in
accordance with Article 5(3) of that Regulation.
All declarations and reservations made by the Republic of Bulgaria under the Convention
and its protocols shall be deemed applicable in case of requests made by another Party
to the European Public Prosecutor's Office whenever a European Delegated Prosecutor
located in the Republic of Bulgaria is competent in accordance with Article 13(1)
of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
As a judicial requesting authority acting in accordance with Article 24 of the Convention,
as amended by Article 6 of the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention, the European
Public Prosecutor's Office shall comply with any conditions or restrictions on the
use of information and evidence obtained, which may be imposed by the requested Party
based on the Convention and its protocols.
The obligations imposed upon the requesting Party by Article 12 of the Convention
shall also be binding upon the judicial authorities of the European Union Member State
of the competent European Delegated Prosecutor. The same applies in case of obligations
of the requesting Party under Article 11 of the Convention, as amended by Article
3 of the Second Additional Protocol and under Articles 13, 14 and 23 of the Second
Additional Protocol in respect of the European Union Member State of the European
Delegated Prosecutor competent in accordance with Article 13(1) of Council Regulation
(EU) 2017/1939.
In accordance with Article 33(2) of the Second Additional Protocol and in conjunction
with Article 20 of the Second Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Mutual
Assistance in Criminal Matters, the Republic of Bulgaria declares that where a joint
investigation team as referred to in Article 20 of that Protocol is intended to operate
on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, the European Public Prosecutor's Office
may act in the capacity of “competent authority” in accordance with Article 20 of
that Protocol only in the presence of agreement with the judicial authorities of the
Republic of Bulgaria and in accordance with Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 and
the applicable national law.
Chili
30-05-2011
In accordance with Article 5, paragraph 1, of the Convention, the Republic of Chile
declares that it reserves the right to make the execution of letters rogatory for
search or seizure of property dependent on the condition in letter (c), paragraph
1, of said Article 5.
In accordance with Article 7, paragraph 3, of the Convention, the Republic of Chile
declares that service of a summons on an accused person shall be transmitted to its
authorities at least fifty (50) days in advance of the date set for appearance.
In accordance with Article 15, paragraph 6, of the Convention, the Republic of Chile
declares that for the purposes of Article 15, paragraph 1, letters rogatory referred
to in Articles 3, 4 and 5 as well as the applications referred to in Article 11 shall
be addressed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile.
In accordance with the provisions in Article 15, paragraph 6, of the Convention, for
the purposes of Article 15, paragraph 3, in relation to Article 13, paragraphs 1 and
2, the Republic of Chile declares that requests for mutual assistance consisting in
transmission of extracts and information on court files shall be sent to the Ministry
of Justice, and an information copy thereof to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Chile.
In accordance with the provisions in Article 16, paragraph 2, of the Convention, the
Republic of Chile declares that requests shall be addressed to it accompanied by a
translation into the Spanish language. With respect to annexed documentation, the
Republic of Chile reserves the right to demand that it be translated into the Spanish
language.
In accordance with the provisions in Article 15, paragraph 6, of the Convention, the
Republic of Chile declares that for the purposes of enforcing Article 21, paragraph
1, communications shall be transmitted to the Chilean Public Prosecutor’s Office.
In accordance with Article 24 of the Convention, the Republic of Chile declares that
the courts of justice
composing The Judiciary shall, for the purposes of the Convention, be deemed as judicial
authority.
Mutual assistance requests for the purposes of this Convention may also be transmitted
to the Public
Prosecutor’s Office, which shall request the intervention of the competent Guarantee
Judge where, under Chilean laws, it is required due to the nature of the request.
However, in no case will this declaration grant jurisdictional powers to the Public
Prosecutor’s Office or make it a judicial authority.
08-01-2018
Updating of contact information (Article 15):
Public Prosecution of Chile
Unit of International Cooperation and Extradition of the National Prosecution
Unidad de Cooperación Internacional y Extradiciones de la Fiscalía Nacional del Ministerio
Público
Date of effect of the declaration: 8 January 2018
Cyprus
24-02-2000
The Government of the Republic of Cyprus reserves the right to refuse assistance if
the person who is the subject of a request for assistance has been convicted in the
Republic of Cyprus of an offence which arises from the same conduct as that giving
rise to proceedings in the requesting State in respect of that person.
The Government of the Republic of Cyprus reserves the right to make the execution
of letters rogatory for search and seizure of property dependent on the conditions
stated in Article 5, paragraph 1 a) and c).
For the purpose of Article 11, paragraph 1, the Government of the Republic of Cyprus
reserves the right to refuse transfer of a person in custody in all the cases enumerated
in sub-paragraph 2 of paragraph 1 of this Article.
For the purpose of Article 11, paragraph 2, the Government of the Republic of Cyprus
reserves the right to refuse to grant transit to its own nationals.
For the purpose of Article 7, paragraph 3, the Government of the Republic of Cyprus
requests that the summons to be served on an accused person who is in its territory
be transmitted to its authorities at least 40 days before the date set for appearance.
The Government of the Republic of Cyprus declares that all requests for assistance
sent to the Republic of Cyprus under this Convention must be addressed to the Ministry
of Justice and Public Order. In cases of urgency requests may be transmitted through
Interpol.
The Government of the Republic of Cyprus declares that requests and annexed documents
not drawn up in English or Greek should be accompanied by a translation into one of
these languages.
For the purposes of the Convention, the Government of the Republic of Cyprus deems
the following to be "judicial authorities":
- all courts of the Republic exercising criminal jurisdiction;
- all attorneys of the Law Office of the Republic (Office of the Attorney General);
- the Ministry of Justice and Public Order;
- the authorities or persons empowered by national law to investigate into criminal
cases including the Police, the Department of Customs and Excise and the Department
of Inland Revenue.
Denemarken
13-09-1962
Assistance may be refused if the judicial authorities of Denmark or those of a third
State have instituted legal proceedings against the accused for the offence which
gave rise to proceedings in the requesting State; or if the accused has been convicted
or acquitted by a final judgment given by the judicial authorities of Denmark or by
those of a third State in respect of the offence which gave rise to proceedings in
the requesting State; or if the said authorities have decided to waive or to discontinue
proceedings in respect of the same offence.
A request for evidence to be taken on oath from a witness or expert may be refused
if the competent Danish court does not consider the oath to be necessary.
A request for service to be effected otherwise than by a simple transmission of the
writ to the person to be served may be refused.
The Danish Government reserves its position on the whole of this clause.
The obligation to communicate extracts from judicial records under this provision
shall apply only to the criminal record of a person charged with an offence.
The Danish Government reserves its position on the whole of this clause.
A request for search or seizure may be refused if the conditions laid down in sub-paragraph
a and c of Article 5, paragraph 1, are not fulfilled.
A summons to be served on a person charged with an offence who is in Danish territory
must be transmitted to the competent Danish authority at least 30 days before the
date set for appearance.
Requests and annexed documents from countries other than Austria, France, the Federal
Republic of Germany, Ireland, Norway, Sweden or the United Kingdom must be accompanied
by a translation into either Danish or one of the official languages of the Council
of Europe. With regard to longer documents, the Danish Government reserves the right,
in any specific case, to require a Danish translation or to have one made at the expense
of the requesting State.
The term "judicial authorities" in Denmark means the Courts of Law and the Department
of Public Prosecutions which itself, according to the Danish judicature and procedural
code, includes the Ministry of Justice, the Attorney-General, the prosecutors, the
Copenhagen Prefect of Police and the Police Commissioners.
The Protocol on mutual legal assistance concluded on 26 June 1957 between Denmark,
Norway and Sweden will remain in force.
22-01-2015
The term "judicial authorities" in Denmark means the courts, the Independent Police Complaints Authority and the prosecution authorities which according to the Danish Administration of Justice Act include the Ministry of Justice, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the state prosecutors and the police commissioners.
Duitsland
02-10-1976
Search and seizure of property is permitted only if the conditions of Article 5, paragraph
1.a and c of the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters have
been met.
A request for the service of the summons on an accused person who is in the territory
of the Federal Republic of Germany will, on principle, be executed only if it is received
by the German authorities, at the latest one month before the date set for the appearance
of the accused person.
Transfer of a witness will be refused in all the cases enumerated in Article 11, paragraph
1, sub-paragraph 2.
Where the request for mutual assistance and the annexed documents are not in the German
language they must be accompanied by translations of the request and the supporting
documents into the German language or into one of the official languages of the Council
of Europe.
Judicial authorities for the purposes of this Convention are:
- der Bundesminister der Justiz, Bonn-Bad-Godesberg (the Federal Minister of Justice);
- der Bundesgerichtshof, Karlsruhe (the Federal Court of Justice);
- der Generalbundesanwalt bei dem Bundesgerichtshof, Karlsruhe (the Federal Prosecutor-General
at the Federal Court of Justice);
- das Justizministerium Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart (the Ministry of Justice of Baden-Württemberg);
- das Bayerische Staatsministerium der Justiz, München (the Bavarian State Ministry
of Jutice);
- der Senator für Justiz, Berlin (the Senator of Justice);
- der Senator für Rechtspflege und Strafvollzug, Bremen (the Senator for Judicial
and Penal Affairs);
- die Justizbehörde der Freien und Hansestadt Hamburg, Hamburg (the Judicial Authority
of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg);
- der Hessische Minister der Justiz, Wiesbaden (the Hessian Minister of Justice);
- der Niedersächsische Minister der Justiz, Hannover (the Minister of Justice of Lower
Saxony);
- der Justizminister des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen, Düsseldorf (the Minister of Justice
of Land Northrhine/Westphalia);
- das Ministerium der Justiz des Landes Rheinland-Pfalz, Mainz (the Ministry of Justice
of Land Rhineland-Palatinate);
- der Minister für Rechtspflege des Saarlandes, Saarbrücken (the Minister for Judicial
Affairs of the Saarland);
- der Justizminister des Landes Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel (the Minister of Justice
of Land Schleswig-Holstein);
- das Bayerische Oberste Landesgericht, München (the Bavarian Supreme Court);
- die Oberlandesgerichte (the Higher Regional Courts);
- die Landgerichte (the Regional Courts);
- die Amtsgerichte (the Local Courts);
- die Staatsanwaltschaft bei dem Bayerischen Obersten Landesgericht, München (the
Directorate of Prosecutions at the Bavarian Supreme Court);
- die Staatsanwaltschaften bei den Oberlandesgerichten (the Directorates of Prosecutions
at the Higher Regional Courts);
- die Staatsanwaltschaften bei den Landgerichten (the Directorates of Prosecutions
at the Regional Courts);
- die Zentrale Stelle der Landesjustizverwaltungen zur Aufklärung nationalsozialistischer
Verbrechen, Ludwigsburg (Central Office of the Land Judicial Administrations for the
Investigation of National Socialist Crimes).
03-12-1993
The declaration on Article 24 is herewith supplemented to the effect that judicial
authorities for the purposes of the Convention are, in addition:
- Das Ministerium der Justiz des Landes Brandenburg, Potsdam (the Ministry of Justice
of Land Brandenburg),
- der Minister für Justiz, Bundes- und Europaangelegenheiten des Landes Mecklenburg-Vorpommern,
Schwerin (the Minister for Justice, Federal and European Affairs of Land Mecklenburg-Western
Pomerania),
- das Sächsische Staatsministerium der Justiz, Dresden (the Saxon State Ministry of
Justice),
- das Ministerium der Justiz des Landes Sachsen-Anhalt, Magdeburg (the Ministry of
Justice of Land Saxony-Anhalt),
- das Thüringer Ministerium für Justiz, Bundes- und Europaangelegenheiten, Erfurt
(the Thuringian Ministry of Justice, Federal and European Affairs).
19-03-2021
In accordance with Article 24 of the Convention as amended by Article 6 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, Germany, as a Member State of the European
Union participating in the enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European
Public Prosecutor's Office, declares that the European Public Prosecutor's Office
("EPPO"), in the exercise of its competences, as provided for by Articles 22, 23 and
25 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, shall be deemed to be a judicial authority
for the purpose of issuing requests for mutual assistance in accordance with the Convention
and its Protocols, as well as for the purpose of providing, on request of another
Contracting Party in accordance with the Convention and its Protocols, information
or evidence which the EPPO has obtained already or may obtain following the initiation
of an investigation in the area of its competence. The EPPO shall also be deemed to
be a judicial authority for the purpose of receipt of information in accordance with
Article 21 of the Convention, in respect of offences within its competence as provided
for by Articles 22, 23 and 25 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939. This declaration
is intended to supplement the previous declarations made by Germany in accordance
with Article 24 of the Convention.
With reference to this declaration made in accordance with Article 24 of the Convention,
Germany avails itself of the opportunity to interpret the legal effects of that declaration
as follows:
a) Where the Convention or its Protocols refer to the requesting Party or the requested
Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European Public
Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to the EU Member State of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor whose powers and functions are referred to in Article
13 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
b) Where the Convention or its Protocols refer to the law of the requesting or the
requested Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European
Public Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to Union law, in particular
Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, as well as to the national law of the EU Member
State of the competent European Delegated Prosecutor, to the extent applicable in
accordance with Article 5(3) of that Regulation.
c) Where the Convention or its Protocols provide for the possibility for a Party to
make declarations or reservations, all such declarations and reservations made by
Germany shall be deemed applicable in case of requests made by another Party to the
European Public Prosecutor's Office whenever a European Delegated Prosecutor located
in Germany is competent in accordance with Article 13(1) of Council Regulation (EU)
2017/1939.
d) As a judicial requesting authority acting in accordance with Article 24 of the
Convention as amended by Article 6 of the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention,
the European Public Prosecutor's Office shall comply with any conditions or restrictions
on the use of information and evidence obtained, which may be imposed by the requested
Party based on the Convention and its Protocols.
e) Obligations imposed upon the requesting Party by Article 12 of the Convention shall
also be binding upon the judicial authorities of the EU Member State of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor. The same applies in case of obligations of the requesting
Party under Article 11 of the Convention as amended by Article 3 of the Second Additional
Protocol and under Articles 13, 14 and 23 of the Second Additional Protocol in respect
of the EU Member State of the European Delegated Prosecutor competent in accordance
with Article 13(1) of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention as amended by Article 4 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, Germany declares that requests to the European
Public Prosecutor's Office for mutual assistance as well as information laid by a
Contracting Party in accordance with Article 21 of the Convention shall be addressed
directly to the European Public Prosecutor's Office and that the declaration made
by Germany in accordance with Article 15.8.b and d of the Convention as amended by
Article 4 of the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention shall not apply in the
case of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. Requests for mutual assistance shall
be sent either to the Central Office of the European Public Prosecutor's Office or
to the German European Delegated Prosecutor's Office(s) in Germany. The EPPO shall,
where appropriate, forward such request to the competent national authorities if the
EPPO either does not have or is not exercising its competence in a particular case.
In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention as amended by Article 4 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, Germany furthermore declares that applications
in accordance with Article 11 of the Convention as amended by Article 3 of the Second
Additional Protocol, and Articles 13 and 14 of the Second Additional Protocol as they
refer to the above mentioned Article 11, initiated by the German European Delegated
Prosecutors, shall be transmitted by the Federal Office of Justice.
In accordance with Article 33(2) of the Second Additional Protocol, Germany declares
that the European Public Prosecutor's Office may, where a joint investigation team
as referred to in Article 20 of that Protocol is intended to operate on the territory
of Germany, act in the capacity of “competent authority” in accordance with Article
20 of that Protocol only with the prior consent of the judicial authorities of Germany
and in accordance with Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 and the applicable national
law.
Estland
09-09-2004
Pursuant to Article 23, paragraph 1 and Article 2 of the Convention, the Republic
of Estonia reserves the right to refuse her assistance in case the request concerns
an act which is not considered an offence under Estonian laws.
Pursuant to Article 7, paragraph 3, of the Convention, the Republic of Estonia declares
that the service of summons on an accused person who is in the Estonian territory
shall be transmitted not later than 40 days before the date of trial.
Pursuant to Article 15, paragraph 6, of the Convention, the Republic of Estonia declares
that a copy of the letters rogatory addressed directly to her judicial authorities
shall be transmitted to the Ministry of Justice.
Pursuant to Article 16, paragraph 2, of the Convention, the Republic of Estonia declares
that requests and annexed documents addressed to the Estonian authorities shall be
accompanied by a translation into English.
Pursuant to Article 24 of the Convention, the Republic of Estonia declares that for
the purposes of this Convention, the judicial authorities for Estonia shall be the
courts, the State Prosecutor's Office, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of
Internal Affairs.
Finland
10-03-1994
Finland declares that judicial assistance may be refused:
a. where the offence is one which is already subject to investigation in Finland or
a third State;
b. where the person who has been charged in the requesting State is on trial, or has
been definitively convicted or acquitted either in Finland or in a third State;
c. where the competent authorities in Finland or in a third State have decided to
abandon the investigation or proceedings or not to initiate them for the offence in
question;
d. where the prosecution or enforcement of the sentence is time-barred under Finnish
law.
Finland declares that it will make the execution of letters rogatory for search or
seizure of property referred to in Article 5 dependent on the conditions mentioned
in sub-paragraph a and c of the said Article.
Finland declares that the service of summons on an accused person who is in Finland
may be refused where the summons have not been transmitted to the competent Finnish
authority at least 30 days prior to the date set for appearance.
Finland declares that the request and the annexed documents shall be drawn up in Finnish,
Swedish, Danish or Norwegian or in English, French or German, or be accompanied by
a translation into one of these languages.
Finland declares that it will notify other Parties of the criminal convictions under
Article 22 only as far as such information is available from the Criminal Register
according to the Criminal Register Act of 20 August 1993 (770/93). Finland will not
notify of measures taken subsequent to the conviction.
Finland declares that for the purposes of the Convention the following are deemed
to be judicial authorities in Finland:
- The Ministry of Justice,
- The Courts of First Instance (käräjäoikeus/tingsrätt), the Courts of Appeal (hovioikeus/hovrätt)
and the Supreme Court (korkein oikeus/högsta domstolen),
- the public prosecutors,
- the police authorities, the customs authorities as well as the frontier guard officers
in their capacity of preliminary criminal investigations authorities in criminal proceedings
under the Preliminary Criminal Investigations Act of 30 April 1987 (449/87).
16-04-2014
The declaration related to Article 16, paragraph 2, of [...] 10 March 1994, is amended
as follows:
The Republic of Finland declares that requests and annexed documents must be written
in Finnish, Swedish or English or must be accompanied by a translation into one of
these languages; the competent authority may comply with a request for assistance
even if the request and the annexed documents were in a language other than Finnish,
Swedish or English, provided that the authority accepts the use of the foreign language
in question and that no impediment exists otherwise to comply with the request
16-03-2021
In accordance with Article 24 of the Convention as amended by Article 6 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, Finland, as a Member State of the European
Union participating in the enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European
Public Prosecutor's Office, declares that the European Public Prosecutor's Office
("EPPO"), in the exercise of its competences, as provided for by Articles 22, 23 and
25 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, shall be deemed to be a judicial authority
for the purpose of issuing requests for mutual assistance in accordance with the Convention
and its Protocols, as well as for the purpose of providing, on request of another
Contracting Party in accordance with the Convention and its Protocols, information
or evidence which the EPPO has obtained already or may obtain following the initiation
of an investigation in the area of its competence. The EPPO shall also be deemed to
be a judicial authority for the purpose of receipt of information in accordance with
Article 21 of the Convention, in respect of offences within its competence as provided
for by Articles 22, 23 and 25 3 / 5 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939. This declaration
is intended to supplement the previous declarations made by Finland in accordance
with Article 24 of the Convention as amended by Article 6 of the Second Additional
Protocol to the Convention.
With reference to this declaration made in accordance with Article 24 of the Convention
as amended by Article 6 of the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention, Finland
avails itself of the opportunity to interpret the legal effects of that declaration
as follows:
a) Where the Convention or its Protocols refer to the requesting Party or the requested
Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European Public
Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to the EU Member State of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor whose powers and functions are referred to in Article
13 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
b) Where the Convention or its Protocols refer to the law of the requesting or the
requested Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European
Public Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to Union law, in particular
Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, as well as to the national law of the EU Member
State of the competent European Delegated Prosecutor, to the extent applicable in
accordance with Article 5(3) of that Regulation.
c) Where the Convention or its Protocols provide for the possibility for a Party to
make declarations or reservations, all such declarations and reservations made by
Finland shall be deemed applicable in case of requests made by another Party to the
European Public Prosecutor's Office whenever a European Delegated Prosecutor located
in Finland is competent in accordance with Article 13(1) of Council Regulation (EU)
2017/1939.
d) As a judicial requesting authority acting in accordance with Article 24 of the
Convention as amended by Article 6 of the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention,
the European Public Prosecutor's Office shall comply with any conditions or restrictions
on the use of information and evidence obtained, which may be imposed by the requested
Party based on the Convention and its Protocols.
e) Obligations imposed upon the requesting Party by Article 12 of the Convention shall
also be binding upon the judicial authorities of the EU Member State of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor. The same applies in case of obligations of the requesting
Party under Article 11 of the Convention as amended by Article 3 of the Second Additional
Protocol and under Articles 13, 14 and 23 of the Second Additional Protocol in respect
of the EU Member State of the European Delegated Prosecutor competent in accordance
with Article 13(1) of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention as amended by Article 4 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, Finland declares that requests to the European
Public Prosecutor's Office for mutual assistance as well as information laid by a
Contracting Party in accordance with Article 21 of the Convention shall be addressed
directly to the European Public Prosecutor's Office. Requests for mutual assistance
shall be sent either to the Central Office of the European Public Prosecutor's Office
or to the European Delegated Prosecutor's Office(s) of that Member State. The EPPO
shall, where appropriate, forward such request to the competent national authorities
if the EPPO either does not have or is not exercising its competence in a particular
case.
In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention as amended by Article 4 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, Finland furthermore declares that applications
in accordance with Article 11 of the Convention as amended by Article 3 of the Second
Additional Protocol, and Articles 13 and 14 of the Second Additional Protocol as they
refer to the above mentioned Article 11, initiated by one of the European Delegated
Prosecutors in that EU Member State, shall be transmitted by the Ministry of Justice.
In accordance with Article 33(2) of the Second Additional Protocol, Finland declares
that the European Public Prosecutor's Office may, where a joint investigation team
as referred to in Article 20 of that Protocol is intended to operate on the territory
of Finland, act in the capacity of competent authority in accordance with Article
20 of that Protocol only with the prior consent of the judicial authorities of Finland
and in accordance with Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 and the applicable national
law.
Frankrijk
23-05-1967
The French Government declares that, by reason of the internal organisation and functioning
of the judicial records department in France, the authorities responsible are unable
to inform automatically the Contracting Parties to the present Convention, under Article
22 thereof, of measures taken subsequently to the convinction of their nationals -
such as measures of clemency, rehabilitation or amnesty - which are entered in the
judicial records.
The French Government gives, however, an assurance that the responsible authorities,
if requested to do so in particular cases, will as far as possible supply the said
Contracting Parties with details of the position of their nationals as regards the
criminal law.
The French Government declares that the authorities to be considered for the purposes
of this Convention as French judicial authorities are the following:
- first presidents, presidents, counsellors and judges (conseillers) of criminal courts;
- examining magistrates (juges d'instruction) of these courts;
- members of the Department of Public Prosecution (Ministère public) acting in those
courts, namely:
* Directors of Public Prosecution;
* Deputy Directors of Public Prosecution;
* Assistant Public Prosecutors;
* Head of the Prosecution Department in courts of first instance and their assistants;
* Representatives of the Department of Public Prosecution in Police courts;
* Judge-advocates in courts martial.
The Government of the French republic declares that it avails itself of the option
provided for in Article 7, paragraph 3, and accordingly specifies that service of
summonses on accused persons who are in French territory shall be transmitted to the
French authorities not less than 30 days before the date set for the appearance of
such persons.
The Government of the French republic declares that it avails itself of the option
provided for in Article 15, paragraph 6, in relation to paragraphs 2 and 4 of Article
15, so that the provisions of those two paragraphs shall apply as follows:
Article 15, paragraph 2: in case of urgency, when the letters rogatory referred to
in Articles 3, 4 and 5 are addressed directly by the judicial authorities of the requesting
Party to the judicial authorities of the requested Party, a copy thereof shall at
the same time be communicated to the Ministry of Justice of the requested Party;
Article 15, paragraph 4: requests for mutual assistance other than those provided
for in paragraphs 1 and 3 of Article 15, and in particular, requests for investigation
preliminary to prosecution shall be addressed by the Ministry of Justice of the requesting
Party to the Ministry of Justice of the requested Party and returned by the same channel.
Not withstanding the provisions of Article 25, paragraph 2, the European Convention
on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters shall not apply to Algeria as that country
acceded to independence after signature of the Convention by the French Government.
27-05-2021
In accordance with Article 25 of the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal
Matters, ratified by France on 23 May 1967, and in relation with its two additional
protocols, ratified by France, respectively, on 1 February 1991 (ETS No. 99) and on
6 February 2012 (ETS No. 182), France declares what follows:
In replacement of the declarations made on 23 May 1967, 1st February 1991 and 6 February
2012, the Government of the French Republic declares that, with regards to France,
the Convention and its first and second additional Protocols apply to the entire territory
of the Republic.
01-06-2021
In accordance with Article 24 of the Convention as amended by Article 6 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention), France, as a Member State of the European
Union participating in the enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European
Public Prosecutor's Office, declares that the European Public Prosecutor's Office
("EPPO"), in the exercise of its competences, as provided for by Articles 22, 23 and
25 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, shall be deemed to be a judicial authority
for the purpose of issuing requests for mutual assistance in accordance with the Convention
and its Protocols, as well as for the purpose of providing, on request of another
Contracting Party in accordance with the Convention and its Protocols, information
or evidence which the EPPO has obtained already or may obtain following the initiation
of an investigation in the area of its competence. The EPPO shall also be deemed to
be a judicial authority for the purpose of receipt of information in accordance with
Article 21 of the Convention, in respect of offences within its competence as provided
for by Articles 22, 23 and 25 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939. This declaration
is intended to supplement the previous declaration made by France in accordance with
Article 24 of the Convention.
With reference to this declaration made in accordance with Article 24 of the Convention,
France avails itself of the opportunity to interpret the legal effects of that declaration
as follows:
a) Where the Convention or its Protocols refer to the requesting Party or the requested
Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European Public
Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to the EU Member State of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor whose powers and functions are referred to in Article
13 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
b) Where the Convention or its Protocols refer to the law of the requesting or the
requested Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European
Public Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to Union law, in particular
Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, as well as to the national law of the EU Member
State of the competent European Delegated Prosecutor, to the extent applicable in
accordance with Article 5(3) of that Regulation.
c) Where the Convention or its Protocols provide for the possibility for a Party to
make declarations or reservations, all such declarations and reservations made by
France shall be deemed applicable in case of requests made by another Party to the
European Public Prosecutor's Office whenever a European Delegated Prosecutor located
in France is competent in accordance with Article 13(1) of Council Regulation (EU)
2017/1939.
d) As a judicial requesting authority acting in accordance with Article 24 of the
Convention as amended by Article 6 of the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention,
the European Public Prosecutor's Office shall comply with any conditions or restrictions
on the use of information and evidence obtained, which may be imposed by the requested
Party based on the Convention and its Protocols.
e) Obligations imposed upon the requesting Party by Article 12 of the Convention shall
also be binding upon the judicial authorities of the EU Member State of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor. The same applies in case of obligations of the requesting
Party under Article 11 of the Convention as amended by Article 3 of the Second Additional
Protocol and under Articles 13, 14 and 23 of the Second Additional Protocol in respect
of the EU Member State of the European Delegated Prosecutor competent in accordance
with Article 13(1) of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention as amended by Article 4 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, France declares that requests to the European
Public Prosecutor's Office for mutual assistance as well as information laid by a
Contracting Party in accordance with Article 21 of the Convention shall be addressed
directly to the European Public Prosecutor's Office and the declaration made in accordance
with Article 15 of the Convention as amended by Article 4 of the Second Additional
Protocol to the Convention shall not apply in the case of the European Public Prosecutor’s
Office. Requests for mutual assistance shall be sent either to the Central Office
of the European Public Prosecutor's Office or to the European Delegated Prosecutor's
Office(s) of that Member State. The EPPO shall, where appropriate, forward such request
to the competent national authorities if the EPPO either does not have or is not exercising
its competence in a particular case.
In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention as amended by Article 4 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, France furthermore declares that applications
in accordance with Article 11 of the Convention as amended by Article 3 of the Second
Additional Protocol, and Articles 13 and 14 of the Second Additional Protocol as they
refer to the above mentioned Article 11, initiated by one of the European Delegated
Prosecutors in that EU Member State, shall be transmitted by the Ministry of Justice.
In accordance with Article 33(2) of the Second Additional Protocol, France declares
that the European Public Prosecutor's Office may, where a joint investigation team
as referred to in Article 20 of that Protocol is intended to operate on the territory
of France, act in the capacity of “competent authority” in accordance with Article
20 of that Protocol only with the prior consent of the judicial authorities of the
French Republic and in accordance with Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 and the applicable
national law.
The Government of the French Republic specifies that these declarations are only applicable
from the date set by the European Commission in application of Article 120 (2), subparagraph
3, of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 of 12 October 2017 implementing enhanced cooperation
concerning the creation of the European Public Prosecutor's Office.
Georgië
13-10-1999
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia declares that Legal assistance may be refused:
(a) if criminal proceedings have been instituted in Georgia for the offence in respect
of which assistance is requested;
(b) if the offence in respect of which assistance is requested has already been tried
by a court of law and the judgment has entered into force.
Georgia reserves the right to make the execution of letters rogatory for search or
seizure of property dependent on the conditions given in sub-paragraphs "a", "b" and
"c" of Article 5, paragraph 1.
As provided in Article 15, paragraph 6, copies of the letters rogatory shall be transmitted
to the Ministry of Justice of Georgia.
Request for a legal assistance and annexed documents shall be provided in English
or Russian language.
For the purposes of the present Convention, Georgia considers as "judicial authorities":
the Constitutional Court,
the courts of the common jurisdiction,
the General Prosecutor's Office.
Griekenland
20-04-1959
The Greek Government formulates a reservation with regard to Article 4 of the Convention,
which is incompatible with Article 97 of the Greek Code of Criminal Procedure.
The Greek Government formulates a reservation with regard to Article 11 of the Convention,
which is incompatible with Article 459 of the Greek Code of Criminal Procedure.
Hongarije
13-07-1993
Hungary reserves the right to afford assistance only in procedures instituted in respect
of such offences, which are also punishable under Hungarian law.
Extracts from or information on the judicial records will be made available only in
respect of an individual who has been charged or brought to trial.
The assistance referred to in Article 13, paragraph 2 can not be given by Hungary.
Search and seizure will be executed in Hungary on condition provided for in subparagraph
c.
Summons on persons staying in Hungary will only be served, if the summons is transmitted
to the competent Hungarian authority at least 40 days before the date set for appearance.
Hungary declares that requests addressed to its judicial authorities for assistance
shall be sent to the Ministry of Justice.
A translation of the request for assistance and documents annexed thereto into either
Hungarian, or any of the official languages of the Council of Europe, will be required,
if they are not drawn up in these languages.
Hungary declares that it will not inform other Contracting Parties automatically of
criminal convictions and subsequent measures referred to in this article.
For the purpose of the Convention the following shall be deemed judicial authorities
in Hungary: courts, public prosecutor's offices, the Ministry of Justice and the Chief
Public Prosecutor's Office.
Ierland
28-11-1996
The Government of Ireland reserves the right to refuse assistance if criminal proceedings
have been instituted or concluded in Ireland or in a third State against a person
who is the subject of the request for assistance in respect of the same conduct as
that giving rise to proceedings in the requesting State in respect of that person.
The Government of Ireland reserves the right to make the supply of any material or
evidence, in response to a request for assistance, subject to the condition that such
material or evidence shall not, without its consent, be used for a purpose that was
not specified in the request.
The Government of Ireland reserves the right not to take the evidence of witnesses
or require the production of records or documents where its law recognises in relation
thereto privilege, non-compellability or other exemption from giving evidence.
The Government of Ireland is unable to grant requests made under Article 11, paragraph
2, for a person in custody to transit through its territory.
The Government of Ireland reserves the right not to apply Article 21.
The Government of Ireland will not notify criminal convictions or subsequent measures
under Article 22 except insofar as the organisation of its judicial records allows
of so doing.
The Government of Ireland reserves the right to make the execution of letters rogatory
for search and seizure of property dependent on the following conditions:
a. that the offence motivating the letters rogatory is punishable under both the law
of the requesting Party and Irish law, and
b. that execution of the letters rogatory is consistent with Irish law.
In respect of the Government of Ireland, references to the "Ministry of Justice" for
the purposes of Article 11, paragraph 2, Article 15, paragraphs 1, 3 and 6, Article
21, paragraph 1, and Article 22 are to the Department of Justice.
In accordance with Article 15, paragraph 6, the Government of Ireland gives notice
that requests for assistance under the Convention should be sent to the Department
of Justice.
In accordance with Article 16, paragraph 2, the Government of Ireland reserves the
right to stipulate that requests and annexed documents shall be addressed to it accompanied
by translations into either Irish or English.
In accordance with Article 24, for the purposes of the Convention, the Government
of Ireland deems the following to be judicial authorities:
- the District Court;
- the Circuit Court;
- the High Court;
- a Special Criminal Court;
- the Court of Criminal Appeal;
- the Supreme Court;
- the Attorney General of Ireland;
- the Director of Public Prosecutions;
- the Chief State Solicitor.
IJsland
20-06-1984
Iceland will only afford assistance in proceedings in respect of offences also punishable
under Icelandic law.
Assistance may be refused:
a. if the judicial authorities of Iceland or of a third State have instituted legal
proceedings against the accused for the offence which gave rise to proceedings in
the requesting State; or
b. if the accused has been convicted or acquitted by a final judgement given by the
judicial authorities of Iceland or of a third State in respect of the offence which
gave rise to proceedings in the requesting State; or
c. if the judicial authorities of Iceland or of a third State have decided to discontinue
proceedings or not to initiate them in respect of the offence which gave rise to proceedings
in the requesting State.
The obligation to communicate extracts from and information relating to judicial records
under this provision applies only to the criminal record of the person charged with
an offence in the requesting State.
A request for search or seizure of property may be refused if the conditions laid
down in Article 5, paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs a, b and c are not fulfilled.
A summons to be served on an accused person who is in Iceland must be transmitted
to the competent Icelandic authorities at least 50 days before the date set for appearance.
All requests for assistance in Iceland under the Convention must be addressed to the
Ministry of Justice.
Requests and annexed documents not drawn up in Icelandic, Danish, English, Norwegian
or Swedish shall be accompanied by a translation into Icelandic or English.
For the purposes of the Convention, the term "judicial authorities" in Iceland means
the Ministry of Justice, the Courts, the State Prosecutor and Chiefs of Police.
Israël
27-09-1967
A summons to be served on an accused person who is in its territory shall be transmitted
to its authorities not later than 40 days before the date set for appearance.
Israel will require requests and annexed documents addressed to it to be accompanied
by a translation into Hebrew, English or French.
Israel will not undertake to notify automatically the "subsequent measures" referred
to in Article 22, but will use its best efforts to do so.
08-02-1999
All requests and other communications to Israel under the Convention should be sent
to the following address: Ministry of Justice, Directorate of Courts, Department of
Legal Assistance to Foreign Countries, P.O. Box 34142 - 91340 Jerusalem.
For the purposes of the Convention, the following authorities shall be considered
Judicial Authorities by the State of Israel:
- Any competent court or tribunal
- The Attorney General of the State of Israel
- The State Attorney of the State of Israel
- The Director of the Department of International Affairs of the Ministry of Justice
- The Deputy Director of the Department of International Affairs of the Ministry of
Justice.
Italië
23-08-1961
In accordance with Article 24 and for the purposes of the Convention the following
authorities are to be considered Italian judicial authorities:
- Directors of Public Prosecution,
- Assistant Public Prosecutors,
- Ordinary Courts of Justice,
- Military Courts,
- Offices of the Public Prosecutor attached to the Military Courts,
- Examining Magistrates,
- Superior Magistrates,
- Praetors.
Having regard to the provisions of Articles 16 and 21, paragraph 3, Italy will require,
subject to reciprocity, that requests for legal assistance, together with supporting
documents, and denunciations as provided for in Article 21 of the Convention, shall
be accompanied by a translation in French or English.
The Italian Government requests that having regard to the provisions of Article 15,
paragraph 6, of the Convention, where a request for legal assistance is addressed
directly to the Italian judicial authorities, a copy of the relevant letters rogatory
shall be communicated to the Ministry of Justice.
29-08-1977
With a view to completing the declaration made on 23 August 1961 when depositing the
instrument of ratification of the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal
Matters of 20 April 1959, the Italian Government declares that with reference to Article
24 of the Convention the following authorities shall be deemed judicial authorities
in addition to those already mentioned in the above-mentioned declaration which in
all other respects shall remain unaltered:
- the Constitutional Court,
- the Parliamentary Commission of Enquiry.
The Italian Government wishes to point out in this connection that the two above-mentioned
authorities only acquired their full jurisdiction at a date subsequent to the deposit
by Italy of the instrument ratifying the Convention.
The Constitutional Court in fact issued the necessary supplementary rules for the
exercise of its jurisdiction in relation to prosecutions within the meaning of Article
134 of the Constitution in the regulations of 27.11.1962 published in Official Gazette
No 320 of 15 December 1962.
The jurisdiction of the Parliamentary Commission of Enquiry was specified in Act No
20 of 25 January 1962 dealing with "Rules relating to proceedings and prosecutions".
30-03-2007
In accordance with Article 24 and for the purposes of the Convention, Italy declares
that:
1. the following authorities shall be deemed as Italian judicial authorities, in addition
to those indicated in the previous declarations:
- Juges de paix.
2. the following authorities shall not be deemed as Italian judicial authorities anymore:
- Examining Magistrates,
- Superior Magistrates,
- Praetors
21-02-2022
In accordance with Article 24 of the Convention as amended by Article 6 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention the Italian Republic, as a Member State of the
European Union participating in the enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the
European Public Prosecutor’s Office, declares that the European Public Prosecutor’s
Office (“EPPO”), in the exercise of its competences, as provided for by Articles 22,
23 and 25 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, shall be deemed to be a judicial authority
for the purpose of issuing requests for mutual assistance in accordance with the Convention
and its protocols as well as for the purpose of providing, on request of another Contracting
Party in accordance with the Convention and its protocols, information or evidence
which the EPPO has obtained already or may obtain following the initiation of an investigation
in the area of its competence. The EPPO shall also be deemed to be a judicial authority
for the purpose of receipt of information in accordance with Article 21 of the Convention
in respect of offences within its competence as provided for by Articles 22, 23 and
25 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939. This declaration is intended to supplement
the previous declarations made by the Italian Republic in accordance with Article
24 of the Convention.
With reference to this declaration made in accordance with Article 24 of the Convention,
the Italian Republic avails itself of the opportunity to interpret the legal effects
of that declaration as follows:
a) where the Convention or its Protocols refer to the requesting Party or the requested
Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European Public
Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to the EU Member State of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor whose powers and functions are referred to in Article
13 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
b) where the Convention or its Protocols refer to the law of the requesting or the
requested Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European
Public Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to Union law, in particular
Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, as well as to the national law of the EU Member
State of the competent European Delegated Prosecutor, to the extent applicable in
accordance with Article 5(3) of that Regulation.
c) where the Convention or its Protocols provide for the possibility for a Party to
make declarations or reservations, all such declarations and reservations made by
the Italian Republic shall be deemed applicable in case of requests made by another
Party to the European Public Prosecutor's Office whenever a European Delegated Prosecutor
located in the Italian Republic is competent in accordance with Article 13(1) of Council
Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
d) as a judicial requesting authority acting in accordance with Article 24 of the
Convention as amended by Article 6 of the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention,
the European Public Prosecutor's Office shall comply with any conditions or restrictions
on the use of information and evidence obtained, which may be imposed by the requested
Party based on the Convention and its Protocols.
e) obligations imposed upon the requesting Party by Article 12 of the Convention shall
also be binding upon the judicial authorities of the EU Member State of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor. The same applies in case of obligations of the requesting
Party under Article 11 of the Convention as amended by Article 3 of the Second Additional
Protocol and under Articles 13, 14 and 23 of the Second Additional Protocol in respect
of the EU Member State of the European Delegated Prosecutor competent in accordance
with Article 13(1) of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention as amended by Article 4 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, the Italian Republic declares that requests
to the European Public Prosecutor's Office for mutual assistance as well as information
laid by a Contracting Party in accordance with Article 21 of the Convention shall
be addressed directly to the European Public Prosecutor's Office and the declaration
made in accordance with Article 15 of the Convention as amended by Article 4 of the
Second Additional Protocol to the Convention shall not apply in the case of the European
Public Prosecutor’s Office. Requests for mutual assistance shall be sent either to
the Central Office of the European Public Prosecutor's Office or to the European Delegated
Prosecutor's Office(s) of that Member State. The EPPO shall, where appropriate, forward
such request to the competent national authorities if the EPPO either does not have
or is not exercising its competence in a particular case.
In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention as amended by Article 4 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, the Italian Republic furthermore declares that
applications in accordance with Article 11 of the Convention as amended by Article
3 of the Second Additional Protocol, and Articles 13 and 14 of the Second Additional
Protocol as they refer to the above mentioned Article 11, initiated by one of the
European Delegated Prosecutors in that EU Member State, shall be transmitted by the
Ministry of Justice of the said State.
In accordance with Article 33(2) of the Second Additional Protocol, the Italian Republic
declares that the European Public Prosecutor's Office may, where a joint investigation
team as referred to in Article 20 of that Protocol is intended to operate on the territory
of the Italian Republic, act in the capacity of “competent authority” in accordance
with Article 20 of that Protocol and in accordance with Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939
and the applicable national law.
Kroatië
07-05-1999
The Republic of Croatia declares that letters rogatory delivered for search or seizure
of property will be executed only if conditions determined in sub-paragraphs a), b)
and c) of Article 5, paragraph 1, are fulfilled.
The Republic of Croatia declares that service of a summons on a person residing in
the Croatian territory must be transmitted to the competent Croatian judicial authorities
no less than 30 days before the date set for appearance.
The Republic of Croatia declares that letters rogatory for mutual assistance are to
be addressed to the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Croatia. In case of urgency,
letters rogatory may be addressed to the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Croatia
through the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL).
The Republic of Croatia declares that letters rogatory for mutual assistance and annexed
documents shall be accompanied by a translation into the Croatian language or, if
not possible, into the English language.
For the purposes of the Convention, judicial authorities in the Republic of Croatia
are courts and offices of public prosecutor.
Letland
16-09-2010
In pursuance of paragraph 6 of Article 15 of the Convention, the Republic of Latvia
declares that requests for assistance shall be sent through:
The Ministry of Interior - during pre-trial investigation until prosecution;
Ciekurkalna 1st line 1, k-2
Riga, LV-1026
Latvia
Phone: +371 67219263
Fax: +371 67829686
E-mail: kanceleja@iem.gov.lv
Website : www.iem.gov.lv
General Prosecutors office - during pre-trial investigation until submitting the case
to the court;
O. Kalpaka blvd 6,
Riga, LV - 1801, Latvia
Fax: 371.67.212231
Tel.: 371.67.320085
The Ministry of Justice - during the trial.
Brivibas blvd 36,
Riga, LV - 1536, Latvia
Fax: 371.67.285575
Tel.: 371.67.280437/371.67.282607
In pursuance of paragraph 2 of Article 16 of the Convention, the Republic of Latvia
requires that requests and annexed documents shall be addressed accompanied by a translation
into English language.
In pursuance of Article 24 of the Convention, the Republic of Latvia defines that,
for the purposes of the Convention, the courts, the Public Prosecutor's Office and
the police are deemed judicial authorities.
23-12-2021
In accordance with Article 24 of the European Convention […], done at Strasbourg,
on 20 April 1959, as amended by Article 6 of the Second Additional Protocol to the
European Convention[…], done at Strasbourg on 8 November 2001, the Republic of Latvia,
as a Member State of the European Union participating in the enhanced cooperation
on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, declares that the
European Public Prosecutor’s Office (“EPPO”), in the exercise of its competences,
as provided for by Articles 22, 23 and 25 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, shall
be deemed to be judicial authority for the purpose of issuing requests for mutual
assistance in accordance with the Convention and its protocols as well as for the
purpose of providing, on request of another Contracting Party in accordance with the
Convention and its protocols, information or evidence which the EPPO has obtained
already or may obtain following the initiation of an investigation in the area of
its competence. The EPPO shall also be deemed to be the judicial authority for the
purpose of receipt of information in accordance with Articles 22, 23 and 25 of the
Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939. This declaration is intended to supplement the
previous declarations made by the Republic of Latvia in accordance with Article 24
of the Convention.
With reference to this declaration made in accordance with Article 24 of the Convention,
the Republic of Latvia avails itself of the opportunity to interpret the legal effects
of that declaration as follows:
a) Where the Convention or its protocols refer to the requesting Party or the requested
Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European Public
Prosecutor’s Office be interpreted as referring to the EU Member Stale of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor whose powers and functions are referred to in Article
13 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
b) Where the Convention or its protocols refer to the law of the requesting or the
requested Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European
Public Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to Union law, in particular
Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, as well as to the national law of the EU Member
State of the competent European Delegated Prosecutor, to the extent applicable in
accordance with Article 5(3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
c) Where the Convention or its protocols provide for the possibility for a Party to
make declarations or reservations, all such declarations and reservations made by
the Republic of Latvia shall be deemed applicable in case of requests made by another
Party to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office whenever a European Delegated Prosecutor
located in the Republic of Latvia is competent in accordance with Article 13(1) of
Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
d) As a judicial requesting authority acting in accordance with Article 24 of the
Convention as amended by Article 6 of the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention,
the European Public Prosecutor’s Office shall comply with any conditions or restrictions
on the use of information and evidence obtained, which may be imposed by the requested
Party based on the Convention and its protocols.
e) Obligations imposed upon the requesting Party by Article 12 of the Convention shall
also be binding upon the judicial authorities of the EU Member State of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor. The same applies in case of obligations of the requesting
Party under Article 11 of the Convention in respect of the EU Member State of the
European Delegated Prosecutor competent in accordance with Article 13(1) of Council
Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
In accordance with Article 15 of the European Convention […], done at Strasbourg on
20 April 1959, as amended by Article 4 of the Second Additional Protocol to the European
Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, done at Strasbourg on 8 November
2001, the Republic of Latvia declares that requests to the European Public Prosecutor's
Office for mutual assistance as well as information laid by a Contracting Party in
accordance with Article 21 of the Convention shall be addressed directly to the European
Public Prosecutor’s Office (“EPPO”) and the declaration made in accordance with Article
15 (6) of the Convention shall not apply in the case of the European Public Prosecutor’s
Office. Requests for mutual assistance shall be sent either to the Central Office
of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office or to the European Delegated Prosecutor’s
Office(s) of that Member State. The EPPO shall, where appropriate, forward such request
to the competent national authorities if the EPPO either does not have or is not exercising
its competence in a particular case.
In accordance with Article 15, paragraph 6, of the European Convention […], done at
Strasbourg on 20 April 1959, as amended by Article 4 of the Second Additional Protocol
to the European Convention [..], done at Strasbourg on 8 November 2001, the Republic
of Latvia declares that requests for assistance shall be sent through:
State Police of the Republic of Latvia – during pre-trial criminal proceedings until
commencement of criminal prosecution
[…]
General Prosecutors Office – during pre-trial criminal proceedings
[…]
The Ministry of Justice – during the trial
[…]
Liechtenstein
28-10-1969
The Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein declares that the Principality
of Liechtenstein will make the execution of letters rogatory for the application of
any coercive measure dependent on the condition mentioned under Article 5, paragraph
1.a of the Convention.
The Principality of Liechtenstein stipulates that letters rogatory and annexed documents
addressed to the Liechtentein authorities in a language other than German - with the
exception of requests for service of summons - shall be accompanied by a translation
into that language.
Litouwen
17-04-1997
In respect of Article 2 of the Convention, the Republic of Lithuania reserves the
right not to comply with a request insofar as it concerns:
a. an offence which is not qualified as a "crime" and punishable as such under Lithuanian
law;
b. an offence in respect of which criminal proceedings have been instituted in the
Republic of Lithuania or in a third State;
c. an offence in respect of which the judicial authorities of the Republic of Lithuania
either refused to institute, or discontinued criminal proceedings.
In respect of Article 13 of the Convention, the Republic of Lithuania declares that
extracts from and information relating to judicial records shall be communicated only
insofar as the records relate to a person against whom criminal proceedings have been
instituted.
In relation to Article 5, paragraph 1, of the Convention, the Republic of Lithuania
reserves the right to make the execution of letters rogatory for search or seizure
of property dependent on the conditions mentioned in sub-paragraphs a), b) and c)
of the said provision.
In relation to paragraph 6 of Article 15 of the Convention, the Republic of Lithuania
shall provide assistance only in the event that the letters rogatory are sent directly
to the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania.
In relation to paragraph 2 of Article 16 of the Convention, the Republic of Lithuania
reserves the right to stipulate that requests and annexed documents shall be addressed
to it in Lithuanian or accompanied by a translation into one of the official languages
of the Council of Europe, and that in default, the Republic of Lithuania will require
compensation for all expenses incurred in translation.
In relation to Article 24 of the Convention, the Republic of Lithuania declares that
for the purposes of the Convention the following authorities shall be considered as
judicial authorities: the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania, the Prosecutor
General's Office of the Republic of Lithuania, the Courts of Lithuania except the
Constitutional Court.
07-09-2021
Declarations of the Republic of Lithuania relating to the competence of the European
Public Prosecutor’s Office
1. Seeking to supplement the declarations made by the Republic of Lithuania in accordance
with Article 24 of the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters
of 20 April 1959 (hereinafter: the ‘Convention’) under Resolution No 1-838 of the
Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania of 4 April 1995 on the Ratification of the Additional
Protocol to the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters of 20
April 1959 and having regard to Article 104 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 of
12 October 2017 implementing enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European
Public Prosecutor's Office, the Seimas declares that:
1) the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, in the exercise of its competences, as
provided for by Articles 22, 23 and 25 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, shall
be deemed to be a judicial authority for the purpose of issuing requests for mutual
assistance in accordance with the Convention and its protocols as well as for the
purpose of providing, on request of another Contracting Party, information or evidence
which the European Public Prosecutor’s Office has obtained already or may obtain following
the initiation of an investigation in the area of its competence.
2) the European Public Prosecutor’s Office shall also be deemed to be a judicial authority
for the purpose of receipt of information in accordance with Article 21 of the Convention
in respect of offences within its competence as provided for by Articles 22, 23 and
25 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
2. In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention, the Seimas declares that requests
to the European Public Prosecutor's Office for mutual assistance as well as information
laid by a Contracting Party in accordance with Article 21 of the Convention shall
be addressed directly to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. Requests for mutual
assistance shall be sent either to the Central Office of the European Public Prosecutor's
Office or to the European Delegated Prosecutor’s Office(s) of that Member State. The
European Public Prosecutor’s Office shall, where appropriate, forward the request
referred to in this paragraph to the competent national authorities if the European
Public Prosecutor's Office either docs not have or is not exercising its competence
in a particular case.
3. In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention, the Seimas furthermore declares
that applications in accordance with Article 11 of the Convention, initiated by one
of the European Delegated Prosecutors in the Republic of Lithuania, shall be transmitted
by the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Lithuania.
Legal effects of a declaration of the Republic of Lithuania in accordance with Article
24 of the Convention
With reference to a declaration made in accordance with Article 24 of the Convention,
the Republic of Lithuania avails itself of the opportunity to interpret the legal
effects of that declaration as follows:
1) Where the Convention or its protocols refer to the requesting Party or the requested
Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European Public
Prosecutor’s Office be interpreted as referring to the EU Member Stale of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor whose powers and functions arc referred to in Article
13 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
2) Where the Convention or its protocols refer to the law of the requesting or the
requested Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European
Public Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to Union law. in particular
Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939. as well as to the national law of the EU Member
State to the extent applicable in accordance with Article 5(3) of Regulation (EU)
2017/1939.
3) Where the Convention or its protocols provide for the possibility for a Party to
make declarations or reservations, all such declarations and reservations made by
the Republic of Lithuania shall be deemed applicable in ease of requests made by another
Party to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office whenever a European Delegated Prosecutor
located in the Republic of Lithuania is competent in accordance with Article 13(1)
of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
4) As a judicial requesting authority acting in accordance with Article 24 of the
Convention, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office shall comply with any conditions
or restrictions on the use of information and evidence obtained, which may be imposed
by the requested Party based on the Convention and its protocols.
5) Obligations imposed upon the requesting Party by Article 12 of the Convention shall
also be binding upon the judicial authorities of the EU Member State of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor. The same applies in case of obligations of the requesting
Party under Article 11 of the Convention in respect of the judicial authorities of
the EU Member State of the European Delegated Prosecutor competent in accordance with
Article 13(1) of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
Luxemburg
18-11-1976
The Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg will not grant temporary transit as
provided for in Article 11, save where the person concerned is serving a sentence
in its territory and where there are no special considerations opposed thereto.
The Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg will require requests and annexed
documents addressed to it to be accompanied by a translation into French, German or
English.
The Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg will not notify the subsequent measures
referred to in Article 22 except in so far as the organisation of its judicial records
allows of doing so.
By reason of the special arrangements between the Benelux countries, the Government
of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg does not accept Article 26, paragraphs 1 and 3 in
respect of its relations with the Netherlands and Belgium.
The Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg reserves the right to derogate from
these provisions in respect of its relations with other member States of the European
Economic Community.
The Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg declares that letters rogatory for
search or seizure within the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg will not be executed save for
extraditable offences within the meaning of the European Convention on Extradition,
and provided that the court has authorised execution in accordance with its municipal
law.
The Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg declares that, as regards the Grand
Duchy of Luxembourg, judicial authorities for the purposes of the Convention are to
be understood as meaning members of the judiciary responsible for administering the
law, examining magistrates and members of the Department of Public Prosecution.
10-10-2001
The reservations with respect to Article 2 of the Convention, are modified as follows:
The State General Prosecutor of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg reserves the right not
to comply with a request for assistance:
a. in so far as it concerns a prosecution or proceedings incompatible with the principle
"non bis in idem",
b. in so far as it concerns an inquiry into acts for which the accused person is being
prosecuted in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
This reservation is modified according to Article 13 of the Law of Luxembourg dated
8 August 2000 which has entered into force on 1 October 2000.
13-04-2021
In accordance with Article 24 of the Convention, Luxembourg, as a Member State of
the European Union participating in the enhanced cooperation on the establishment
of the European Public Prosecutor's Office, declares that the European Public Prosecutor's
Office ("EPPO"), in the exercise of its competences, as provided for by Articles 22,
23 and 25 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, shall be deemed to be a judicial authority
for the purpose of issuing requests for mutual assistance in accordance with the Convention
and its Protocols, as well as for the purpose of providing, on request of another
Contracting Party in accordance with the Convention and its Protocols, information
or evidence which the EPPO has obtained already or may obtain following the initiation
of an investigation in the area of its competence.
The EPPO shall also be deemed to be a judicial authority for the purpose of receipt
of information in accordance with Article 21 of the Convention, in respect of offences
within its competence as provided for by Articles 22, 23 and 25 of Council Regulation
(EU) 2017/1939. This declaration is intended to supplement the previous declarations
made by Luxembourg in accordance with Article 24 of the Convention.
With reference to this declaration made in accordance with Article 24 of the Convention,
Luxembourg avails itself of the opportunity to interpret the legal effects of that
declaration as follows:
a) Where the Convention or its Protocols refer to the requesting Party or the requested
Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European Public
Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to the EU Member State of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor whose powers and functions are referred to in Article
13 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
b) Where the Convention or its Protocols refer to the law of the requesting or the
requested Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European
Public Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to Union law, in particular
Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, as well as to the national law of the EU Member
State of the competent European Delegated Prosecutor, to the extent applicable in
accordance with Article 5(3) of that Regulation.
c) Where the Convention or its Protocols provide for the possibility for a Party to
make declarations or reservations, all such declarations and reservations made by
Luxembourg shall be deemed applicable in case of requests made by another Party to
the European Public Prosecutor's Office whenever a European Delegated Prosecutor located
in Luxembourg is competent in accordance with Article 13(1) of Council Regulation
(EU) 2017/1939.
d) As a judicial requesting authority acting in accordance with Article 24 of the
Convention, the European Public Prosecutor's Office shall comply with any conditions
or restrictions on the use of information and evidence obtained, which may be imposed
by the requested Party based on the Convention and its Protocols.
e) Obligations imposed upon the requesting Party by Article 12 of the Convention shall
also be binding upon the judicial authorities of the EU Member State of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor. The same applies in case of obligations of the requesting
Party under Article 11 of the Convention in respect of the EU Member State of the
European Delegated Prosecutor competent in accordance with Article 13(1) of Council
Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention, Luxembourg declares that requests
to the European Public Prosecutor's Office for mutual assistance as well as information
laid by a Contracting Party in accordance with Article 21 of the Convention shall
be addressed directly to the European Public Prosecutor's Office. Requests for mutual
assistance shall be sent either to the Central Office of the European Public Prosecutor's
Office or to the European Delegated Prosecutor's Office(s) of that Member State. The
EPPO shall, where appropriate, forward such request to the competent national authorities
if the EPPO either does not have or is not exercising its competence in a particular
case.
In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention, Luxembourg furthermore declares that
applications in accordance with Article 11 of the Convention, initiated by one of
the European Delegated Prosecutors in that EU Member State, shall be transmitted by
the Ministry of Justice.
In accordance with Article 33(2) of the Second Additional Protocol, Luxembourg declares
that the European Public Prosecutor's Office may, where a joint investigation team
as referred to in Article 20 of that Protocol is intended to operate on the territory
of Luxembourg, act in the capacity of “competent authority” in accordance with Article
20 of that Protocol only with the prior consent of the judicial authorities of Luxembourg
and in accordance with Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 and the applicable national
law.
Malta
03-03-1994
The Government of Malta reserves the right to refuse assistance if the person who
is the subject of a request for assistance has been convicted or acquitted in Malta
of any offence which arises from the same fact giving rise to proceedings in the requesting
State in respect of that person.
The Government of Malta reserves the right not to take the evidence of witnesses or
require the production of records or other documents where its law recognises in relation
thereto privilege, non-compellability or other exemption from giving evidence.
The Government of Malta reserves the right not to execute letters rogatory for search
or seizure if (a) the offence motivating the letters rogatory is not punishable under
both the law of the requesting State and the law of Malta, or (b) the execution of
the letters rogatory is not consistent with the law of Malta.
For the purpose of Article 7, paragraph 3, the Government of Malta requests that the
summons to be served on an accused person who is in its territory be transmitted to
its authorities at least 50 days before the date set for appearance.
The Government of Malta is unable to grant requests made under Article 11.
The Government of Malta will only consider the granting of immunity under Article
12 where this is specifically requested by the person to whom the immunity would apply
or by the appropriate authorities of the State from whom assistance is requested.
A request for immunity will not be granted where the Government of Malta considers
that granting it would not be in the public interest.
The Government of Malta notifies that all requests for assistance should be sent to
it addressed to the Attorney General.
The Government of Malta declares that requests and annexed documents should be addressed
to it accompanied by a translation into English.
The Government of Malta reserves the right not to apply Article 21.
12-04-2012
In accordance with Article 24 of the Convention, Malta declares that for the purpose
of the Convention, the Government of Malta deems the following to be "judicial authorithies":
- Magistrates Courts, the Juvenile Court, the Criminal Court and the Court of Criminal
Appeal;
- the Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General, Heads of Unit and Lawyers within
the Attorney General's Office;
- Magistrates.
19-05-2021
In accordance with Article 24 of the Convention as amended by Article 6 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention), the Republic of Malta, as a Member State of
the European Union participating in the enhanced cooperation on the establishment
of the European Public Prosecutor's Office, declares that the European Public Prosecutor's
Office ("EPPO"), in the exercise of its competences, as provided for by Articles 22,
23 and 25 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, shall be deemed to be a judicial authority
for the purpose of issuing requests for mutual assistance in accordance with the Convention
and its Protocols, as well as for the purpose of providing, on request of another
Contracting Party in accordance with the Convention and its Protocols, information
or evidence which the EPPO has obtained already or may obtain following the initiation
of an investigation in the area of its competence. The EPPO shall also be deemed to
be a judicial authority for the purpose of receipt of information in accordance with
Article 21 of the Convention, in respect of offences within its competence as provided
for by Articles 22, 23 and 25 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939. This declaration
is intended to supplement the previous declarations made by the Republic of Malta
in accordance with Article 24 of the Convention. With reference to this declaration
made in accordance with Article 24 of the Convention, the Republic of Malta avails
itself of the opportunity to interpret the legal effects of that declaration as follows:
a) Where the Convention or its Protocols refer to the requesting Party or the requested
Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European Public
Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to the EU Member State of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor whose powers and functions are referred to in Article
13 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
b) Where the Convention or its Protocols refer to the law of the requesting or the
requested Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European
Public Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to Union law, in particular
Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, as well as to the national law of the EU Member
State of the competent European Delegated Prosecutor, to the extent applicable in
accordance with Article 5(3) of that Regulation.
c) Where the Convention or its Protocols provide for the possibility for a Party to
make declarations or reservations, all such declarations and reservations made by
the Republic of Malta shall be deemed applicable in case of requests made by another
Party to the European Public Prosecutor's Office whenever a European Delegated Prosecutor
located in the Republic of Malta is competent in accordance with Article 13(1) of
Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
d) As a judicial requesting authority acting in accordance with Article 24 of the
Convention as amended by Article 6 of the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention,
the European Public Prosecutor's Office shall comply with any conditions or restrictions
on the use of information and evidence obtained, which may be imposed by the requested
Party based on the Convention and its Protocols.
e) Obligations imposed upon the requesting Party by Article 12 of the Convention shall
also be binding upon the judicial authorities of the EU Member State of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor. The same applies in case of obligations of the requesting
Party under Article 11 of the Convention as amended by Article 3 of the Second Additional
Protocol and under Articles 13, 14 and 23 of the Second Additional Protocol in respect
of the EU Member State of the European Delegated Prosecutor competent in accordance
with Article 13(1) of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
Moldavië
04-02-1998
Under Article 2 of the Convention, the Republic of Moldova declares that it will refuse
assistance where:
- the committed act is not incriminated as an offence according to the legislation
of the Republic of Moldova;
- the offender shall not be held responsible by virtue of amnesty;
- the criminal responsibility is precluded by statutory limitation;
- after having committed the offence, the offender has fallen into a state of lasting
mental disturbance precluding criminal responsibility;
- there is a pending penal procedure with respect to the same person for the same
offence;
- there is an enforceable sentence, or a court decision terminating the case, with
respect to the same person and for the same offence.
Under Article 5, paragraph 1, of the Convention, the Republic of Moldova declares
that it reserves the right to execute letters rogatory for search or seizure of property
in accordance with the respect of the conditions set out in Article 5, paragraph 1,
letters (a), (b) and (c), of the Convention.
The Republic of Moldova reserves the right not to execute requests for assistance
provided for under Article 13, paragraph 2, of the Convention.
Under Article 15, paragraph 6, of the Convention, the Republic of Moldova declares
that requests for assistance must be addressed to the Ministry of Justice or to the
Prosecutor General's Office.
Under Article 16, paragraph 2, of the Convention, the Republic of Moldova declares
that requests for assistance and annexed documents shall be drawn up in Moldovan or
in one of the official languages of the Council of Europe or accompanied by a translation
into one of these languages.
Under Article 24 of the Convention, the Republic of Moldova declares that it considers,
for the purposes of the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters,
the courts of first instance (judecatoriile), the courts (tribunalele), the Court
of Appeal (Curtea de Apel), the Supreme Court of Justice (Curtea Suprema de Justitie),
the Ministry of Justice (Ministerul Justitie), the Prosecutor General's Office (Procuratura
Generala), the organs of the General Prosecutor of the Republic of Moldova (organele
procuraturii Republicii Moldova), as judicial authorities for the Republic of Moldova.
Monaco
19-03-2007
The Principality of Monaco declares that it avails itself of the option provided for
in Article 7, paragraph 3, and accordingly specifies that service of summonses on
accused persons who are in its territory shall be transmitted to Monaco's authorities
not less than 30 days before the date set for the appearance of such persons.
The Principality of Monaco declares that the terms "Ministry of Justice", for the
purposes of the Convention, apply to the "Direction des Services Judiciaires".
The Principality of Monaco declares that it avails itself of the option provided for
in Article 15, paragraph 6, of the Convention in relation to paragraphs 2 and 4 of
Article 15, so that the provisions of those two paragraphs shall apply as follows:
Article 15, paragraph 2: in case of urgency, when the letters rogatory referred to
in Articles 3, 4 and 5 are addressed directly by the judicial authorities of the requesting
Party to the judicial authorities of the requested Party, a copy thereof shall at
the same time be communicated to the Ministry of Justice of the requested Party;
Article 15, paragraph 4: requests for mutual assistance other than those provided
for in paragraphs 1 and 3 of Article 15, and in particular, requests for investigation
preliminary to prosecution shall be addressed by the Ministry of Justice of the requesting
Party to the Ministry of Justice of the requested Party and returned by the same channel.
The Principality of Monaco declares that it avails itself of the option provided for
in Article 16, paragraph 2, of the Convention and requires that requests for mutual
assistance and annexed documents shall be adressed to it accompanied by a translation
into French.
Regarding Article 2 of the Convention, the Principality of Monaco reserves the right
to grant mutual assistance in pursuance of the Convention at the express condition
that the results of inquiries as well as information contained in the documents and
files transmitted cannot, without its prior consent, be used or transmitted by the
authorities of the requesting Party for purposes different from those indicated in
the request.
In accordance with Article 5 of the Convention, the Principality of Monaco reserves
the ability to submit the execution of letters rogatory, for the purposes of search
or seizure of objects, to the conditions provided for by Article 5, paragraph 1, sub-paragraph
a of the Convention.
Montenegro
14-07-2006
In accordance with Article 1, paragraph 1, of the Convention, the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia shall grant legal assistance only in proceedings related to the criminal
acts stipulated by the laws of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, whose criminal
prosecution, at the moment legal assistance is requested, falls within the jurisdiction
of the Yugoslav courts are competent.
In accordance with Article 7, paragraph 3, of the Convention, the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia shall serve court summons issued to the name of a person against whom
criminal proceedings have been initiated, residing in its territory, only if the summons
is transmitted to the competent judicial authority 30 days before the date set for
the appearance in the court by the said person.
In accordance with Article 15, paragraph 6, of the Convention and in connection with
implementation of Article 15, paragraph 2, of the Convention, the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia requests that a copy of the letter requesting legal assistance be transmitted
to the Federal Ministry of Justice.
In accordance with Article 24 of the Convention, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
hereby states that judicial authorities, for the purposes of the present Convention,
shall be considered regular courts and Public i.e. State Prosecutor's Offices.
Nederlanden, het Koninkrijk der
14-02-1969
The Netherlands Government reserves the right not to comply with a request for assistance:
a. if there are good grounds for believing that it concerns an inquiry instituted
with a view to prosecuting, punishing or otherwise interfering with an accused person
because of his religion or political convictions, his nationality, his race or the
population group to which he belongs;
b. in so far as it concerns a prosecution or proceedings incompatible with the principle
non bis in idem;
c. in so far as it concerns an inquiry into acts for which the accused person is being
prosecuted in the Netherlands.
The Netherlands Government will not grant temporary transit, as provided for in Article
11, save where the person concerned is serving a sentence in its territory and where
there are no special considerations opposed thereto.
The Netherlands Government will not notify the subsequent measures referred to in
Article 22 except in so far as the organisation of its judicial records allows of
so doing.
By reason of the special arrangement between the Benelux countries, the Netherlands
Government does not accept Article 26, paragraphs 1 and 3 in respect of its relations
with the Kingdom of Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
The Netherlands Government reserves the right to derogate from these provisions in
respect of its relations with other member States of the European Economic Community.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands accepts the said Convention for the Kingdom in Europe.
The Netherlands Government declares that letters rogatory for search or seizure within
the Netherlands will not be executed save for extraditable offences within the meaning
of the European Convention on Extradition, and provided that the Netherlands court
has authorised execution in accordance with its municipal law.
The Netherlands Government declares that, as regards the Netherlands, judicial authorities
for the purposes of the Convention are to be understood as meaning members of the
judiciary responsible for administering the law, examining magistrates and members
of the Department of Public Prosecution.
In the event of the Netherlands Government making a declaration extending the application
of the Convention to Surinam and/or the Netherlands Antilles, it may qualify such
declarations by conditions relating to local needs and, in particular, may declare
that the Convention can be denounced separately in respect of those countries.
21-07-1993
The Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands declares that the Government
of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in accordance with Article 25, paragraph 4 of the
European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters of 20 April 1959, is
extending the application of the Convention to the Netherlands Antilles, and that
the declarations and reservations as made by the Kingdom of the Netherlands shall
also apply to the Netherlands Antilles.
The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands declares having regard to Article
16, that the Kingdom of the Netherlands will require requests for legal assistance
regarding the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba to be accompanied by an English translation.
The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands declares in accordance with the declaration
of the Netherlands Government concerning Article 25, paragraph 4 that the Convention
may be denounced separately in respect of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba.
10-02-2010
On 1 February 2010, a Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Kingdom
of Belgium came into effect under which the Netherlands made available to Belgium
a prison located on Dutch territory (Tilburg) for the execution of criminal sentences
imposed in Belgium under Belgian law. The Convention applies in principle until 31
December 2012, but the validity period may be reduced to 31 December 2011, or extended
until 31 December 2013.
The Convention contains a specific provision for criminal co-operation with third
States. Article 18 of the
Convention deals with criminal action at the request of third States concerning Belgian
prisoners detained in the prison located on Dutch territory. According to the first
paragraph of this provision, the Netherlands will not examine requests for extradition
and/or mutual assistance from third States, but they will transmit them to Belgium.
This agreement logically follows on from other provisions of the Convention, according
to which the judicial and other authorities of the Netherlands do not normally deal
with prisoners of the prison of Tilburg.
In this context, Belgium and the Netherlands communicate the following:
Requests for extradition and provisional arrest
We recommend that States Parties to the European Convention on Extradition send exclusively
to the Belgian authorities requests for extradition and provisional arrest of persons
detained in the prison of Tilburg under the Convention concluded on 31 October 2009
in Tilburg between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Kingdom of Belgium, on the
provision of a prison in the Netherlands for the enforcement of prison sentences imposed
under Belgian law. If the Dutch authorities still receive requests for extradition
or for provisional arrest of these persons, they will not deal with them but will
transmit them to the Belgian authorities for further action.
Alerts via Interpol for the surrender and the requests for provisional arrest of persons
who are in the prison in Tilburg will not be carried out in the Netherlands.
Requests for mutual assistance
We recommend that central and judicial authorities of the States Parties to the Convention
on Mutual
Assistance in Criminal Matters send exclusively to the competent Belgian authorities
requests for mutual
assistance concerning persons detained in the prison of Tilburg under the Convention
concluded on 31 October 2009 in Tilburg between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and
the Kingdom of Belgium, on the provision of a prison in the Netherlands for the enforcement
of prison sentences imposed under Belgian law. If, nevertheless, requests for mutual
assistance concerning these persons are sent to the Netherlands, they will be forwarded
to the competent authorities of the Kingdom of Belgium.
09-01-2012
Having regard to the relations existing in public law between the European part of the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and the Caribbean part of the Netherlands (the islands of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba), the term "metropolitan territories", used in paragraph 1 of Article 25 of the present Convention, no longer has its original sense in relation to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and consequently shall be deemed to signify, so far as it concerns the Kingdom, "European territory".
26-02-2021
In accordance with Article 24 of the Convention as amended by Article 6 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as a Member
State of the European Union participating in the enhanced cooperation on the establishment
of the European Public Prosecutor's Office, declares, for the European part of the
Netherlands, that the European Public Prosecutor's Office ("EPPO"), in the exercise
of its competences, as provided for by Articles 22, 23 and 25 of Council Regulation
(EU) 2017/1939, shall be deemed to be a judicial authority for the purpose of issuing
requests for mutual assistance in accordance with the Convention and its Protocols,
as well as for the purpose of providing, on request of another Contracting Party in
accordance with the Convention and its Protocols, information or evidence which the
EPPO has obtained already or may obtain following the initiation of an investigation
in the area of its competence. The EPPO shall also be deemed to be a judicial authority
for the purpose of receipt of information in accordance with Article 21 of the Convention,
in respect of offences within its competence as provided for by Articles 22, 23 and
25 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939. This declaration is intended to supplement,
for the European part of the Netherlands, the previous declarations made by the Kingdom
of the Netherlands in accordance with Article 24 of the Convention.
With reference to this declaration made in accordance with Article 24 of the Convention,
the Kingdom of the Netherlands avails itself of the opportunity to interpret the legal
effects of that declaration as follows:
a) Where the Convention or its Protocols refer to the requesting Party or the requested
Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European Public
Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to the EU Member State of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor whose powers and functions are referred to in Article
13 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
b) Where the Convention or its Protocols refer to the law of the requesting or the
requested Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European
Public Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to Union law, in particular
Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, as well as to the national law of the EU Member
State of the competent European Delegated Prosecutor, to the extent applicable in
accordance with Article 5(3) of that Regulation.
c) Where the Convention or its Protocols provide for the possibility for a Party to
make declarations or reservations, all such declarations and reservations made by
the Kingdom of the Netherlands, for the European part of the Netherlands, shall be
deemed applicable in case of requests made by another Party to the European Public
Prosecutor's Office whenever a European Delegated Prosecutor located in the Kingdom
of the Netherlands is competent in accordance with Article 13(1) of Council Regulation
(EU) 2017/1939.
d) As a judicial requesting authority acting in accordance with Article 24 of the
Convention as amended by Article 6 of the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention,
the European Public Prosecutor's Office shall comply with any conditions or restrictions
on the use of information and evidence obtained, which may be imposed by the requested
Party based on the Convention and its Protocols.
e) Obligations imposed upon the requesting Party by Article 12 of the Convention shall
also be binding upon the judicial authorities of the EU Member State of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor. The same applies in case of obligations of the requesting
Party under Article 11 of the Convention as amended by Article 3 of the Second Additional
Protocol and under Articles 13, 14 and 23 of the Second Additional Protocol in respect
of the EU Member State of the European Delegated Prosecutor competent in accordance
with Article 13(1) of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention as amended by Article 4 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, the Kingdom of the Netherlands declares, for
the European part of the Netherlands, that requests to the European Public Prosecutor's
Office for mutual assistance as well as information laid by a Contracting Party in
accordance with Article 21 of the Convention shall be addressed directly to the European
Public Prosecutor's Office and the declaration made in accordance with Article 15,
paragraph 9, of the Convention as amended by Article 4 of the Second Additional Protocol
to the Convention shall not apply in the case of the European Public Prosecutor’s
Office. Requests for mutual assistance shall be sent either to the Central Office
of the European Public Prosecutor's Office or to the European Delegated Prosecutor's
Office(s) of that Member State. The EPPO shall, where appropriate, forward such request
to the competent national authorities if the EPPO either does not have or is not exercising
its competence in a particular case.
In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention as amended by Article 4 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, the Kingdom of the Netherlands furthermore
declares, for the European part of the Netherlands, that applications in accordance
with Article 11 of the Convention as amended by Article 3 of the Second Additional
Protocol, and Articles 13 and 14 of the Second Additional Protocol as they refer to
the above mentioned Article 11, initiated by one of the European Delegated Prosecutors
in that EU Member State, shall be transmitted by the Ministry of Justice and Security
of the Netherlands.
In accordance with Article 33(2) of the Second Additional Protocol, the Kingdom of
the Netherlands declares, for the European part of the Netherlands, that the European
Public Prosecutor's Office may, where a joint investigation team as referred to in
Article 20 of that Protocol is intended to operate on the European territory of the
Kingdom of the Netherlands, act in the capacity of "competent authority" in accordance
with Article 20 of that Protocol only with the prior consent of the judicial authorities
of the European part of the Netherlands and in accordance with Council Regulation
(EU) 2017/1939 and the applicable national law.
Noorwegen
14-03-1962
Assistance can be refused:
a. if the accused person is being prosecuted by the public prosecutor of Norway or
by the judicial authorities of a third State for the criminal offence or offences
which have given rise to the proceedings in the requesting State; or
b. if the accused person has been convicted or acquitted by final judgment of a Norwegian
court or the judicial authorities of a third State in respect of the criminal offence
or offences which have given rise to the proceedings in the requesting State, or if
the public prosecutor of Norway or the judicial authorities of a third State have
decided either not to institute proceedings or to terminate proceedings in respect
of a said offence or offences.
A request for service of writs etc., otherwise than by the informal handing over of
the document to the person in question, can always be refused.
Reservation is made to the provision in its entirety.
A request for search or seizure can be refused if the conditions laid down in Article
5, paragraph 1.a, b and c are not fulfilled.
A summons which is to be served on an accused person who is staying in Norway must
be transmitted to the competent Norwegian authority at least 30 days prior to the
date set for his appearance in court.
Requests and annexed documents not drawn up in Norwegian, Danish, English or Swedish,
should be accompanied by a translation into Norwegian. If not, the right is reserved
for a translation into Norwegian to be made for the account of the requesting State.
For the purpose of this Convention, the term "judicial authorities" applies in Norway
to the courts and the office of the Public Prosecutor, including Chiefs of Police.
30-09-2002
The Government of Norway replaces the declaration made in respect of Article 26, paragraph 4, of the Convention, with the following wording: "The Agreement of 26 April 1974 between Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Finland and Sweden on mutual assistance shall apply."
06-11-2012
In accordance with Article 33, paragraph 3, of Second Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, the Kingdom of Norway withdraws the reservation made to Article 11 of the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters.
Oekraïne
11-03-1998
Ukraine reserves the right not to comply with a request for assistance if
a. there are good grounds for believing that it is aimed at prosecuting, convicting
or punishing a person because of his/her race, coulour of skin, political, religious
and other convictions, sex, ethnic and social origin, social status, place of residence,
language and other indications;
b. compliance with the request is incompatible with the principle "non bis in idem"
("there shall not be two punishments for the same offence");
c. the request concerns an offence that is the subject of investigation and judicial
consideration in Ukraine.
Ukraine will comply with judicial decisions concerning search and seizure of property
on the condition foreseen by Article 5, paragraph 1, subparagraph c.
Summons of the defendant who is on the territory of Ukraine shall be transmitted to
the authorities concerned not later than 40 days before the date set for the appearance
before the court.
Requests and annexed documents shall be sent to Ukraine together with a translation
into Ukrainian or into one of the official languages of the Council of Europe unless
they are drawn up in those languages.
For the purposes of the Convention, "judicial bodies" of Ukraine are courts of general,
public prosecutors of all levels and bodies of pre-trial investigation.
01-02-2000
The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine (in case of requests by courts) and the Prosecutor-General's Office of Ukraine (in case of letters rogatory by bodies of pre-trial investigation) shall be the authorities to which reference is made in article 15, paragraph 1 of the Convention.
16-10-2015
In February 2014 the Russian Federation launched armed aggression against Ukraine
and occupied a part of the territory of Ukraine – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea
and the city of Sevastopol, and today exercises effective control over certain districts
of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine. These actions are in gross violation
of the Charter of the United Nations and constitute a threat to international peace
and security. The Russian Federation, as the Aggressor State and Occupying Power,
bears full responsibility for its actions and their consequences under international
law.
The United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/68/262 of 27 March 2014 confirmed
the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized
borders. The United Nations also called upon all States, international organizations
and specialized agencies not to recognize any alteration of the status of the Autonomous
Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.
In this regard, Ukraine states that from 20 February 2014 and for the period of temporary
occupation by the Russian Federation of a part of the territory of Ukraine – the Autonomous
Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol – as a result of the armed aggression
of the Russian Federation committed against Ukraine and until the complete restoration
of the constitutional law and order and effective control by Ukraine over such occupied
territory, as well as over certain districts of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of
Ukraine, which are temporarily not under control of Ukraine as a result of the aggression
of the Russian Federation, the application and implementation by Ukraine of the obligations
under the above Conventions, Protocols, Agreement, as applied to the aforementioned
occupied and uncontrolled territory of Ukraine, is limited and is not guaranteed.
Documents or requests made or issued by the occupying authorities of the Russian Federation,
its officials at any level in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol
and by the illegal authorities in certain districts of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts
of Ukraine, which are temporarily not under control of Ukraine, are null and void
and have no legal effect regardless of whether they are presented directly or indirectly
through the authorities of the Russian Federation.
The provisions of the Conventions, Protocols, Agreement regarding the possibility
of direct communication or interaction do not apply to the territorial organs of Ukraine
in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, as well as in certain
districts of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine, which are temporarily not
under control of Ukraine. The order of the relevant communication is determined by
the central authorities of Ukraine in Kyiv.
11-07-2019
Ukraine declares that the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine (in case of requests by courts), the Prosecutor-General’s Office of Ukraine (in case of letters rogatory by bodies of pre-trial investigation) and starting from 25 January 2015 the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (in case of letters rogatory at the pre-trial investigation of criminal offences, within its competence, see details at https://nabu.gov.ua/en/competence) shall be the authorities to which reference is made in Article 15, paragraph 1, of the Convention.
19-04-2022
The Permanent Representation of Ukraine to the Council of Europe presents its compliments to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and has the honour […] to inform about the impossibility to guarantee the implementation by the Ukrainian Side in full of its obligations under the above mentioned international treaties of Ukraine for the period of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and introduction of martial law on the territory of Ukraine, until full termination of the infringement of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of borders of Ukraine.
Oostenrijk
02-10-1968
Austria will only grant assistance in proceedings in respect of offences also punishable
under Austrian law and the punishment of which, at the time of the request for assistance,
falls within the jurisdiction of the judicial authorities.
In "other essential interests of its country" Austria will include maintaining the
secrecy stipulated by Austrian legislation.
In the cases mentioned in Article 11, paragraph 1. a, b and c, the transfer of a person
in custody as a witness or for purposes of confrontation will not be authorised.
Austria will make the execution of letters rogatory for search or seizure of property
subject to the condition laid down in sub-paragraph c.
Austria will not serve a summons on an accused person who is in Austrian territory,
unless the summons is transmitted to the competent Austrian judicial authority at
least 30 days before the date set for appearance.
Subject to the provisions of paragraph 3 of Article 16, requests and annexed documents,
which are not drawn up in the German, French or English language, must be accompanied
by a translation into one of these languages. A translation of informations mentioned
in paragraph 1 of Article 21 is not required.
For the purposes of the Convention, Austria will regard as judicial authorities the
Criminal Courts, the Department of Public Prosecution and the Federal Ministry of
Justice.
02-05-1983
The cases where Chapter 1 of the Additional Protocol to the European Convention on
Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters is not applicable, the Republic of Austria will
apply Article 2, paragraph (a) of the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in
Criminal Matters in accordance with the relevant national legislation (Federal Act
of 4 December 1979 on Extradition and Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, Federal
Law Gazette No. 529/1979). According to Section 51, paragraph 1 of the said Act the
performance of assistance is precluded in all cases where extradition would be inadmissable
according to Sections 14 and 15 of the Act. The provisions read as follows:
Section 14. Extradition shall be inadmissable
1. for political offences;
2. for other offences based on political motivation or aims unless, taking into consideration
all the circumstances of the individual case, in particular the method of committing
the offence, the means employed or threatened, or the gravity of the consequences
caused or intended, the criminal character of the offence supersedes its political
character.
Section 15. Extradition shall be inadmissable for offences which under Austrian law
exclusively
1. are of a military nature, or
2. consist in a violation of regulations on duties, monopolies, customs or exchange,
or of rules on the rationing of goods or on foreign trade.
09-02-2021
In accordance with Article 24 of the Convention as amended by Article 6 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, Austria, as a Member State of the European
Union participating in the enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European
Public Prosecutor's Office, declares that the European Public Prosecutor's Office
("EPPO"), in the exercise of its competences, as provided for by Articles 22, 23 and
25 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, shall be deemed to be a judicial authority
for the purpose of issuing requests for mutual assistance in accordance with the Convention
and its Protocols, as well as for the purpose of providing, on request of another
Contracting Party in accordance with the Convention and its Protocols, information
or evidence which the EPPO has obtained already or may obtain following the initiation
of an investigation in the area of its competence. The EPPO shall also be deemed to
be a judicial authority for the purpose of receipt of information in accordance with
Article 21 of the Convention, in respect of offences within its competence as provided
for by Articles 22, 23 and 25 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939. This declaration
is intended to supplement the previous declarations made by Austria in accordance
with Article 24 of the Convention.
With reference to this declaration made in accordance with Article 24 of the Convention,
Austria avails itself of the opportunity to interpret the legal effects of that declaration
as follows:
a) Where the Convention or its Protocols refer to the requesting Party or the requested
Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European Public
Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to the EU Member State of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor whose powers and functions are referred to in Article
13 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
b) Where the Convention or its Protocols refer to the law of the requesting or the
requested Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European
Public Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to Union law, in particular
Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, as well as to the national law of the EU Member
State of the competent European Delegated Prosecutor, to the extent applicable in
accordance with Article 5(3) of that Regulation.
c) Where the Convention or its Protocols provide for the possibility for a Party to
make declarations or reservations, all such declarations and reservations made by
Austria shall be deemed applicable in case of requests made by another Party to the
European Public Prosecutor's Office whenever a European Delegated Prosecutor located
in Austria is competent in accordance with Article 13(1) of Council Regulation (EU)
2017/1939.
d) As a judicial requesting authority acting in accordance with Article 24 of the
Convention as amended by Article 6 of the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention,
the European Public Prosecutor's Office shall comply with any conditions or restrictions
on the use of information and evidence obtained, which may be imposed by the requested
Party based on the Convention and its Protocols.
e) Obligations imposed upon the requesting Party by Article 12 of the Convention shall
also be binding upon the judicial authorities of the EU Member State of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor. The same applies in case of obligations of the requesting
Party under Article 11 of the Convention as amended by Article 3 of the Second Additional
Protocol and under Articles 13, 14 and 23 of the Second Additional Protocol in respect
of the EU Member State of the European Delegated Prosecutor competent in accordance
with Article 13(1) of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention as amended by Article 4 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, Austria declares that requests to the European
Public Prosecutor's Office for mutual assistance as well as information laid by a
Contracting Party in accordance with Article 21 of the Convention shall be addressed
directly to the European Public Prosecutor's Office. Requests for mutual assistance
shall be sent either to the Central Office of the European Public Prosecutor's Office
or to the European Delegated Prosecutor's Office(s) of that Member State. The EPPO
shall, where appropriate, forward such request to the competent national authorities
if the EPPO either does not have or is not exercising its competence in a particular
case.
In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention as amended by Article 4 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, Austria furthermore declares that applications
in accordance with Article 11 of the Convention as amended by Article 3 of the Second
Additional Protocol, and Articles 13 and 14 of the Second Additional Protocol as they
refer to the above mentioned Article 11, initiated by one of the European Delegated
Prosecutors in that EU Member State, shall be transmitted by the Ministry of Justice.
In accordance with Article 33(2) of the Second Additional Protocol, Austria declares
that the European Public Prosecutor's Office may, where a joint investigation team
as referred to in Article 20 of that Protocol is intended to operate on the territory
of Austria, act in the capacity of "competent authority" in accordance with Article
20 of that Protocol only after prior notification to the Ministry of Justice and in
accordance with Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 and the applicable national law.
Polen
19-03-1996
The Republic of Poland reserves the right to make the execution of letters rogatory
for search or seizure of property dependent on the conditions mentioned in Article
5, paragraph 1 (a) (b) (c) of the Convention.
The transmission of the summons can be refused if less than 30 days remain before
the date for appearance.
Only information available in the Central Register of Convicted Persons shall be transmitted.
When the letters rogatory are addressed directly to the judicial authorities, a copy
of these letters rogatory shall be transmitted to the Ministry of Justice.
The requests and other documents being transmitted shall be accompanied by a translation
into the Polish language or into an official language of the Council of Europe; the
translation of the documents which are to be transmitted is not necessary if the transmission
has the form of a simple service. In other cases they shall be translated into the
Polish language if the receiver is a Polish national or if his permanent residence
is in Poland.
For the purposes of the Convention, the public prosecutor's offices shall be also
deemed to be "judicial authorities".
Portugal
02-01-1997
I have the honour to inform you of the following with regard to the Convention concerned:
1. On 14 July 1994 the Official Gazette of the Portuguese Republic published Assembly
Resolution no. 39 and Decree no. 56 of the President of the Republic approving and
decreeing ratification of the said Convention; please find enclosed a copy thereof.
2. On 27 September 1994 the instrument of ratification, of which I am also sending
you a copy, was deposited with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, the
Convention entered into force in respect of Portugal on 26 December 1994.
3. As you can see, the Decree of the President of the Republic and the Assembly Resolution,
as published, provide for reservations and declarations in respect of Article 5, paragraph
1 a. and c., Article 7, paragraph 3, and Article 24 of the Convention. However, certainly
by inadvertence, the instrument of ratification omitted theses reservations and declarations,
which explains why notification thereof was not given to the Parties to the Convention
and, of course, why no such indications appears in the "Chart of signatures and ratifications".
In view of the foregoing, the Portuguese authorities would like the Parties to the
Convention to be notified of the said reservations and declarations as soon as possible.
This would mean that future requests for judicial assistance and cooperation addressed
to the competent Portuguese judicial authorities take these reservations and declarations
into account.
04-04-1997
Portugal declares that it will execute letters rogatory for search or seizure only
if the conditions laid down in sub-paragraph a) and c) of Article 5 are fulfilled.
Portugal declares that requests and annexed documents addressed to it must be accompanied
by a translation into Portuguese or French.
According to Article 7, paragraph 3, Portugal declares that a summons on an accused
person who is in its territory must be transmitted to its authorities at least 50
days before the date set for appearance.
Under the terms of Article 24, Portugal declares that, for the purpose of the Convention,
the Public Prosecutor must be considered as judicial authority.
24-08-2022
In accordance with Article 24 of the Convention, as amended by Article 6 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, the Portuguese Republic, as a Member State
of the European Union participating in the enhanced cooperation on the establishment
of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, declares that the European Public Prosecutor’s
Office (“EPPO”), in the exercise of its competences, as provided for by Articles 22,
23 and 25 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, of 12 October 2017, shall be deemed
to be a judiciary authority for the purpose of issuing requests for mutual assistance
in accordance with the Convention and its protocols as well as for the purpose of
providing, on request of another Contracting Party in accordance with the Convention
and its protocols, information or evidence which the EPPO has obtained already or
may obtain following the initiation of an investigation in the area of its competence.
The EPPO shall also be deemed to be a judiciary authority for the purpose of receipt
of information in accordance with Article 21 of the Convention in respect of offences
within its competence as provided for by Articles 22, 23 and 25 of Council Regulation
(EU) 3 / 5 2017/1939. This declaration is intended to supplement the previous declaration
made by the Portuguese Republic in accordance with Article 24 of the Convention.
With reference to this declaration made in accordance with Article 24 of the Convention,
the Portuguese Republic avails itself of the opportunity to interpret the legal effects
of that declaration as follows:
a) Where the Convention or its protocols refer to the requesting Party or the requested
Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European Public
Prosecutor’s Office be interpreted as referring to the European Union Member State
of the competent European Delegated Prosecutor whose powers and functions are referred
to in Article 13 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
b) Where the Convention or its protocols refer to the law of the requesting or the
requested Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European
Public Prosecutor’s Office be interpreted as referring to Union law, in particular
Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, as well as to the national law of the European
Union Member State of the competent European Delegated Prosecutor, to the extent applicable
in accordance with Article 5(3) of that Regulation.
c) Where the Convention or its protocols provide for the possibility for of a Party
to make declarations or reservations, all such declarations and reservations made
by the Portuguese Republic shall be deemed applicable in case of requests made by
another Party to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office whenever a European Delegated
Prosecutor located in Portugal is competent in accordance with Article 13(1) of Council
Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
d) As a judiciary requesting authority acting in accordance with Article 24 of the
Convention, as amended by Article 6 of the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention,
the European Public Prosecutor’s Office shall comply with any conditions or restrictions
on the use of information and evidence obtained, which may be imposed by the requested
Party based on the Convention and its protocols.
e) Obligations imposed upon the requesting Party by Article 12 of the Convention shall
also be binding upon the judiciary authorities of the European Union Member State
of the competent European Delegated Prosecutor. The same applies in case of obligations
of the requesting Party under Article 11 of the Convention, as amended by Article
3 of the Second Additional Protocol and under Articles 13, 14 and 23 of the Second
Additional Protocol, in respect of the European Union Member State of the European
Delegated Prosecutor competent in accordance with Article 13(1) of Council Regulation
(EU) 2017/1939.
In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention, as amended by Article 4 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, the Portuguese Republic declares that requests
to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office for mutual assistance as well as information
laid by a Contracting Party in accordance with Article 21 of the Convention shall
be addressed directly to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. Requests for mutual
assistance shall be sent either to the Central Office of the European Public Prosecutor’s
Office or to the European Delegated Prosecutor's Offices of that Member State. The
European Public Prosecutor’s Office shall, where appropriate, forward such request
to the competent national authorities if the European Public Prosecutor’s Office either
does not have or is not exercising its competence in a particular case.
In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention, as amended by Article 4 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, the Portuguese Republic furthermore declares
that applications in accordance with Article 11 of the Convention, as amended by Article
3 of the Second Additional Protocol, and Articles 13 and 14 of the Second Additional
Protocol as they refer to the above-mentioned Article 11 initiated by one of the European
Delegated Prosecutors in that European Union Member State, shall be transmitted by
the Ministry of Justice.
In accordance with Article 33(2) of the Second Additional Protocol, the Portuguese
Republic declares that the European Public Prosecutor’s Office may, where a joint
investigation team as referred to in Article 20 of that Protocol is intended to operate
on the territory of Portugal, act in the capacity of “competent authority” in accordance
with Article 20 of that Protocol only with the prior consent of the Portuguese authorities
(Minister of Justice) and in accordance with Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 and
the applicable national law.
Roemenië
17-03-1999
The letters rogatory for search or seizure of property will be made dependent on the
following conditions:
that the offence motivating the letters rogatory is an extraditable offence according
to Romanian law,
that execution of the letters rogatory is consistent with Romanian law.
The service of a summons on an accused person who is in the Romanian territory, will
be notified to the competent Romanian authority at the latest 40 days before the date
set for the appearance.
The requests for mutual assistance during investigation and prosecution will be sent
to the Public Prosecutor's Department at the Supreme Court of Justice of Romania,
the requests for mutual assistance during the proceedings will be sent to the Ministry
of Justice,
the requests for mutual assistance to which reference is made in Article 15, paragraph
3, will be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs,
in case of urgency, the requests for letters rogatory can be sent directly to the
judicial authorities or to the prosecuting authorities at the former, a copy being
sent to the Ministry of Justice or to the Public Prosecutor's Department at the Supreme
Court of Justice of Romania, according to the case.
Requests for mutual assistance and annexed documents, addressed to the Romanian judicial
authorities in accordance with this Convention, will be accompanied by a translation
into one of the official languages of the Council of Europe.
For the purpose of the Convention, Romanian judicial authorities are deemed to be
the judicial authorities, the prosecuting authorities at them, the Ministry of Justice
and the Public Prosecutor's Department at the Supreme Court of Justice and, for the
requests for mutual assistance to which reference is made in Article 15, paragraphe
3, the Ministry of Home Affairs.
07-04-2021
In accordance with Article 24 of the Convention (as amended by Article 6 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention), Romania, as a Member State of the European
Union participating in the enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European
Public Prosecutor's Office, declares that the European Public Prosecutor's Office
("EPPO"), in the exercise of its competences, as provided for by Articles 22, 23 and
25 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, shall be deemed to be a judicial authority
for the purpose of issuing requests for mutual assistance in accordance with the Convention
and its Protocols, as well as for the purpose of providing, on request of another
Contracting Party in accordance with the Convention and its Protocols, information
or evidence which the EPPO has obtained already or may obtain following the initiation
of an investigation in the area of its competence. The EPPO shall also be deemed to
be a judicial authority for the purpose of receipt of information in accordance with
Article 21 of the Convention, in respect of offences within its competence as provided
for by Articles 22, 23 and 25 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939. This declaration
is intended to supplement the previous declarations made by Romania in accordance
with Article 24 of the Convention.
With reference to this declaration made in accordance with Article 24 of the Convention,
Romania avails itself of the opportunity to interpret the legal effects of that declaration
as follows:
a) Where the Convention or its Protocols refer to the requesting Party or the requested
Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European Public
Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to the EU Member State of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor whose powers and functions are referred to in Article
13 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
b) Where the Convention or its Protocols refer to the law of the requesting or the
requested Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European
Public Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to Union law, in particular
Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, as well as to the national law of the EU Member
State of the competent European Delegated Prosecutor, to the extent applicable in
accordance with Article 5(3) of that Regulation.
c) Where the Convention or its Protocols provide for the possibility for a Party to
make declarations or reservations, all such declarations and reservations made by
Romania shall be deemed applicable in case of requests made by another Party to the
European Public Prosecutor's Office whenever a European Delegated Prosecutor located
in Romania is competent in accordance with Article 13(1) of Council Regulation (EU)
2017/1939.
d) As a judicial requesting authority acting in accordance with Article 24 of the
Convention as amended by Article 6 of the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention,
the European Public Prosecutor's Office shall comply with any conditions or restrictions
on the use of information and evidence obtained, which may be imposed by the requested
Party based on the Convention and its Protocols.
e) Obligations imposed upon the requesting Party by Article 12 of the Convention shall
also be binding upon the judicial authorities of the EU Member State of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor. The same applies in case of obligations of the requesting
Party under Article 11 of the Convention as amended by Article 3 of the Second Additional
Protocol and under Articles 13, 14 and 23 of the Second Additional Protocol in respect
of the EU Member State of the European Delegated Prosecutor competent in accordance
with Article 13(1) of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention as amended by Article 4 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, Romania declares that requests to the European
Public Prosecutor's Office for mutual assistance as well as information laid by a
Contracting Party in accordance with Article 21 of the Convention shall be addressed
directly to the European Public Prosecutor's Office and the declaration made in accordance
with Article 15 (2) of the Convention as amended by Article 4 of the Second Additional
Protocol to the Convention shall not apply in the case of the European Public Prosecutor’s
Office. Requests for mutual assistance shall be sent either to the Central Office
of the European Public Prosecutor's Office or to the European Delegated Prosecutor's
Office(s) of that Member State. The EPPO shall, where appropriate, forward such request
to the competent national authorities if the EPPO either does not have or is not exercising
its competence in a particular case.
In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention as amended by Article 4 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, Romania furthermore declares that applications
in accordance with Article 11 of the Convention as amended by Article 3 of the Second
Additional Protocol, and Articles 13 and 14 of the Second Additional Protocol as they
refer to the above mentioned Article 11, initiated by one of the European Delegated
Prosecutors in that EU Member State, shall be transmitted by the Ministry of Justice.
In accordance with Article 33(2) of the Second Additional Protocol, Romania declares
that the European Public Prosecutor's Office may, where a joint investigation team
as referred to in Article 20 of that Protocol is intended to operate on the territory
of Romania, act in the capacity of competent authority in accordance with Article
20 of that Protocol only with the prior consent of the judicial authorities of Romania
and in accordance with Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 and the applicable national
law.
Russische Federatie
10-12-1999
In accordance with Article 23, paragraph 1 of the Convention the Russian Federation
declares that in addition to the grounds provided for in Article 2 of the Convention
assistance may be refused in one of the following cases:
a. if the person who is suspected or accused of an offence in the requesting State
stands trial, or was convicted or acquitted in connection with this offence in the
Russian Federation or in a third State, or in whose respect in the Russian Federation
or in a third State a court decision has been passed not to commence a case or terminate
the proceedings, in respect of which the request for assistance has been made;
b. if the criminal proceedings or the enforcement of a sentence are impossible due
to the expiration of period of limitation in accordance with the law of the Russian
Federation.
In accordance with Article 3 of the Convention the Russian Federation reserves the
right to refuse to execute letters rogatory for procuring evidence, if the persons
concerned used their right, granted to them by the law of the Russian Federation,
not to give any evidence at all or in the relevant case.
In accordance with Article 5 of the Convention the Russian Federation reserves the
right to make the execution of letters rogatory for search or seizure of property
dependent only on the conditions, provided for in subparagraphs " a ", " b ", " c
", paragraph 1 of the said article of the Convention.
In accordance with Article 7 of the Convention the Russian Federation declares that
letters rogatory for service of summons should be transmitted not less than 50 days
before the date set for appearance.
In accordance with Article 11 of the Convention the Russian Federation declares that
in their request for temporary transfer of the person in custody for interrogation
as a witness or for the purpose of confrontation, the competent authorities of the
requesting State should provide the following information:
a. full name of the person and, if possible, the place of his/her custody;
b. summary of the offence, time and place of its commitment;
c. circumstances to be clarified during interrogation or confrontation;
d. period during which the presence of this person in the requesting State is required."
In accordance with Article 11, paragraph 2 of the Convention the Russian Federation
declares that request for transit of a person in custody shall be addressed to the
Prosecutor-General's Office of the Russian Federation.
In accordance with Article 15, paragraph 6, of the Convention the Russian Federation
declares that while rendering assistance in accordance with Articles 3, 4 and 5 of
the Convention the designated authorities of the Contracting Parties communicate with:
- the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation - in matters of judicial activity of
the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, and the Ministry of Justice of the Russian
Federation - in matters, related to the activities of other courts;
- the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation - in respect of letters
rogatory, which do not require the sanction of a judge or a prosecutor and relate
to conducting an inquiry and preliminary investigation into cases within the competence
of bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation;
- the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation - in respect of letters rogatory,
which do not require the sanction of a judge or a prosecutor and relate to conducting
an inquiry and preliminary investigation into cases within the competence of the bodies
of the Federal Security Service;
- the Federal Tax Police Service of the Russian Federation - in respect of letters
rogatory, which do not require the sanction of a judge or a prosecutor and relate
to conducting an inquiry and preliminary investigation into cases within the competence
of the bodies of the Federal Tax Police;
- the Prosecutor-General's Office of the Russian Federation - in all other cases of
inquiry and preliminary investigation.
In case of urgency, requests may be addressed directly by the judicial authorities
of the requesting State to the judicial authorities of the Russian Federation as stipulated
in the reservation to Article 24 of the Convention. A copy of letters rogatory shall
be transmitted at the same time to the appropriate central competent authority.
Requests, provided for in Article 13, paragraph 2 of the Convention shall be addressed
to the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation or the Prosecutor-General's Office
of the Russian Federation.
The Supreme Court of the Russian Federation and the Prosecutor-General's Office of
the Russian Federation shall, if the authority which issues letters rogatory for legal
assistance so requests, consider the possibility of applying procedural laws of the
requesting foreign state when executing letters rogatory, if it is consistent with
the law of the Russian Federation.
The Russian Federation declares that in accordance with Article 22 of the Convention
the Russian Federation shall inform other Contracting Parties of measures, subsequent
to the conviction of their nationals on a reciprocal basis and only in respect of
information, recognized as official in accordance with the law of the Russian Federation.
The Russian Federation declares that for the purposes of this Convention set forth
in Article 24 of the Convention courts and bodies of the prosecutor's office shall
be deemed judicial authorities of the Russian Federation.
The Russian Federation proceeds from the understanding that the provisions of Article
2 of the Convention shall be applied in such a manner as to ensure inevitabilty of
responsibility for the crimes coming within the Convention.
The Russian Federation proceeds from the understanding that the law of the Russian
Federation does not contain a concept of " political offence ". In all cases in deciding
whether to render assistance, the Russian Federation shall not consider as " political
offences " or " offences related to political offences " in the following acts:
a. crimes against humanity provided for in Articles II and III of the Convention on
the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948), Articles II and III
of the Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid (1973),
and Articles 1 and 4 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1948);
b. crimes provided for in Article 50 of the Geneva Convention for the Amelioration
of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field (1949), Article
51 of the Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded,
Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea (1949), Article 130 of the Geneva
Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War (1949), Article 147 of the
Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War (1949),
Article 85 of Protocol I Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 and
Relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (1977), Articles
1 and 4 of Protocol II Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 and
Relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts (1977);
c. offences provided for in the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure
of Aircraft (1970), the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the
Safety of Civil Aviation (1971), the Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts
of Violence at Airports Serving International Civil Aviation, supplementary to the
above-mentioned Convention of 1971;
d. crimes provided for in the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes
against Internationally Protected Persons, including Diplomatic Agents (1973);
e. crimes provided for in the International Convention against the Taking of Hostages
(1979);
f. offences provided for in the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials
(1980);
g. offences provided for in the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic
in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (1988);
h. other comparable crimes provided for in multilateral international agreements to
which the Russian Federation is a party.
The Russian Federation declares that requests for assistance and annexed documents,
addressed to the Russian Federation in accordance with Article 16, paragraph 2 of
the Convention should be accompanied by a translation into the Russian language.
San Marino
18-03-2009
Concerning Article 2 of the Convention, the Republic of San Marino reserves the right
to grant legal assistance under the condition that the results of inquiries as well
as information, acts and documents transmitted shall neither be used nor transmitted,
without previous consent, by the Requesting Party for purposes different from those
stated in the request.
Concerning Article 2 of the Convention, the Republic of San Marino reserves the right
to refuse legal assistance if the person subject of the request has been convicted
for the same fact by a final judgement of the San Marino Judicial Authority.
Concerning Article 22 of the Convention, the Republic of San Marino declares that,
due to organisational reasons, the Registry of the San Marino is not able to guarantee
a systematic exchange of information regarding decisions contained in the judicial
records. Nevertheless, the Republic of San Marino shall provide information regarding
criminal ruling in the judicial records following a specific request from the relevant
foreign judicial authorities.
Concerning Article 5, paragraph 1 of the Convention, the Republic of San Marino declares
that it reserves the right to accept requests for judicial assistance under the conditions
referred to in Article 5 a) and c).
Concerning Article 7, paragraph 3 of the Convention, the Republic of San Marino declares
that it will only grant legal assistance within its territory if summons are transmitted
to the San Marino relevant authority 40 days before the date set for the appearance.
Concerning Article 15, paragraph 6 of the Convention, the Republic of San Marino declares
that any request for legal assistance and any document thereto shall be submitted
directly to the relevant judicial authority and a copy shall be forwarded to the Secretary
of State for Justice. The Republic of San Marino declares that, for the purposes of
this Convention, the San Marino Single Court shall be the relevant judicial authority.
Concerning Article 16, paragraph 2 of the Convention, the Republic of San Marino declares
that any request for legal assistance and document thereto submitted to the San Marino
Authorities and drafted in a language other than Italian, shall be accompanied by
a translation into Italian.
Concerning Article 24 of the Convention, the Republic of San Marino declares that
for the purposes of this Convention, the term Judicial Authorities shall be referred
to:
- Law Commissioner - Investigating Judge (Commissario della Legge - Giudice inquirente)
- Law Commissioner - Trial Judge (Commissario della Legge - Giudice decidente)
- Public Attorney (Procuratore del Fisco)
- Judge of Appeal in Criminal Matters (Giudice di appeIlo penale)
- Judge of Third Instance in Criminal Matters (Giudice per la Terza Instanza penale)
- Judge of Extraordinary Remedies in Criminal Matters (Giudice per i Rimedi straordinari
in materia penale)
- Council of Guarantors for the Constitutionality of Rules (Collegio Garante della
costituzionalità delle norme)
Concerning Article 26 paragraph 4 of the Convention, the Republic of San Marino declares
that all the provisions included in bilateral agreements with Contracting Parties
regarding legal assistance in criminal matters will remain in force insofar as they
are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Convention.
10-04-2013
The declaration related to Article 16, paragraph 2, of the Convention made by the
Republic of San Marino at the time of the deposit of the instrument of ratification,
on 18 March 2009, is amended as follows:
Concerning Article 16, paragraph 2, of the Convention, the Republic of San Marino
declares that any request for legal assistance and document thereto submitted to the
San Marino Authorities and drafted in a language other than Italian, shall be accompanied
by a translation into Italian or, if it is not possible, into English.
30-04-2013
Concerning Article 22 of the Convention, the Republic of San Marino declares that
it will provide the information referred to in Article 22 in so far as the organisation
of its judicial records allows to do so.
Servië
30-09-2002
In accordance with Article 1, paragraph 1, of the Convention, the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia shall grant legal assistance only in proceedings related to the criminal
acts stipulated by the laws of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, whose criminal
prosecution, at the moment legal assistance is requested, falls within the jurisdiction
of the Yugoslav courts are competent.
In accordance with Article 7, paragraph 3, of the Convention, the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia shall serve court summons issued to the name of a person against whom
criminal proceedings have been initiated, residing in its territory, only if the summons
is transmitted to the competent judicial authority 30 days before the date set for
the appearance in the court by the said person.
In accordance with Article 15, paragraph 6, of the Convention and in connection with
implementation of Article 15, paragraph 2, of the Convention, the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia requests that a copy of the letter requesting legal assistance be transmitted
to the Federal Ministry of Justice.
In accordance with Article 24 of the Convention, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
hereby states that judicial authorities, for the purposes of the present Convention,
shall be considered regular courts and Public i.e. State Prosecutor' s Offices.
Slovenië
19-07-2001
In accordance with Article 5, the Republic of Slovenia reserves the right to make
the execution of letters rogatory for search or seizure of property dependent on the
following conditions:
a. that the offence motivating the letters rogatory is punishable under both the law
of the requesting Party and the law of the Republic of Slovenia;
b. that execution of the letters rogatory is consistent with the law of the Republic
of Slovenia.
In accordance with Article 16, paragraph 2, the Republic of Slovenia reserves the
right to require that requests and annexed documents be addressed to it accompanied
by a translation into Slovenian.
In accordance with Article 24, the Republic of Slovenia will, for the purposes of
the Convention, deem to be judicial authorities the courts and the State prosecutor's
offices.
14-10-2021
In accordance with Article 24 of the Convention as amended by Article 6 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, the Republic of Slovenia, as a Member State
of the European Union participating in the enhanced cooperation on the establishment
of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, declares that the European Public Prosecutor’s
Office (“EPPO”), in the exercise of its competences, as provided for by Articles 22,
23 and 25 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, shall be deemed to be a judicial authority
for the purpose of issuing requests for mutual assistance in accordance with the Convention
and its protocols as well as for the purpose of providing, on request of another Contracting
Party in accordance with the Convention and its protocols, information or evidence
which the EPPO has obtained already or may obtain following the initiation of an investigation
in the area of its competence. The EPPO shall also be deemed to be a judicial authority
for the purpose of receipt of information in accordance with Article 21 of the Convention
in respect of offences within its competence as provided for by Articles 22, 23 and
25 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939. This declaration is intended to supplement
the previous declarations made by the Republic of Slovenia in accordance with Article
24 of the Convention.
With reference to this declaration made in accordance with Article 24 of the Convention,
the Republic of Slovenia avails itself of the opportunity to interpret the legal effects
of that declaration as follows:
a) Where the Convention or its protocols refer to the requesting Party or the requested
Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European Public
Prosecutor’s Office be interpreted as referring to the EU Member Stale of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor whose powers and functions are referred to in Article
13 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
b) Where the Convention or its protocols refer to the law of the requesting or the
requested Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European
Public Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to Union law, in particular
Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, as well as to the national law of the EU Member
State of the competent European Delegated Prosecutor, to the extent applicable in
accordance with Article 5(3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
c) Where the Convention or its protocols provide for the possibility for a Party to
make declarations or reservations, all such declarations and reservations made by
the Republic of Slovenia shall be deemed applicable in case of requests made by another
Party to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office whenever a European Delegated Prosecutor
located in the Republic of Slovenia is competent in accordance with Article 13(1)
of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
d) As a judicial requesting authority acting in accordance with Article 24 of the
Convention as amended by Article 6 of the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention,
the European Public Prosecutor’s Office shall comply with any conditions or restrictions
on the use of information and evidence obtained, which may be imposed by the requested
Party based on the Convention and its protocols.
e) Obligations imposed upon the requesting Party by Article 12 of the Convention shall
also be binding upon the judicial authorities of the EU Member State of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor. The same applies in case of obligations of the requesting
Party under Article 11 of the Convention as amended by Article 3 of the Second Additional
Protocol to the Convention and under Articles 13, 14 and 23 of the Second Additional
Protocol in respect of the EU Member State of the European Delegated Prosecutor competent
in accordance with Article 13(1) of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention as amended by Article 4 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, the Republic of Slovenia declares that requests
to the European Public Prosecutor's Office for mutual assistance as well as information
laid by a Contracting Party in accordance with Article 21 of the Convention shall
be addressed directly to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. Requests for mutual
assistance shall be sent either to the Central Office of the European Public Prosecutor’s
Office or to the European Delegated Prosecutor’s Office(s) of that Member State. The
EPPO shall, where appropriate, forward a request for mutual assistance to the competent
national authorities if the EPPO either does not have or is not exercising its competence
in a particular case.
In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention, as amended by Article 4 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, the Republic of Slovenia furthermore declares
that applications in accordance with Article 11 of the Convention as amended by Article
3 of the Second Additional Protocol, and Articles 13 and 14 of the Second Additional
Protocol as they refer to the above mentioned Article 11, initiated by one of the
European Delegated Prosecutors in that EU Member State, shall be transmitted by the
Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Slovenia.
In accordance with Article 33(2) of the Second Additional Protocol, the Republic of
Slovenia declares that the European Public Prosecutor's Office may, where a joint
investigation team as referred to in Article 20 of that Protocol is intended to operate
in the territory of the Republic of Slovenia, act in the capacity of a “competent
authority” in accordance with Article 20 of the Protocol only with the prior consent
of the judicial authorities of the Republic of Slovenia and in accordance with Council
Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 and the applicable national law.
Slowakije
28-04-1994
Under the terms of Article 5.1.a and 5.1.c the execution of letters rogatory for search
or seizure of property will be made on conditions that the offence motivating the
letters rogatory is punishable under both the law of the requesting Party and the
law of the Slovak Republic and the execution of the letters rogatory is consistent
with the law of the Slovak Republic.
Within the meaning of Article 15, paragraph 6 of the European Convention on Mutual
Assistance in Criminal Matters, the letters rogatory relating to a criminal matter
shall be addressed to the General Prosecution of the Slovak Republic before the case
is brought before a court and to the Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic after
it has been brought before a court.
In accordance with the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters,
the service of a summons on an accused person who is in the territory of the Slovak
Republic shall be transmitted to the respective authorities of the Slovak Republic
at least 30 days before the date set for appearance.
The judicial authorities in charge of the implementation of the European Convention
on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters shall be the General Prosecution of the Slovak
Republic and the Ministry of Justice of the Czech Republic and the Ministry of Justice
of the Slovak Republic.
28-07-2006
Slovakia declares that:
- Requests referred to in Article 11 of the Convention shall be adressed to the Ministry
of Justice of the Slovak Republic.
- Requests referred to in Article 13, paragraph 1, and information under Article 21,
paragraph 1, of the
Convention shall be adressed to the General Prosecutor's Office of the Slovak Republic.
The Slovak Republic invites the other Contracting Parties to present their requests
and supporting documents which are not drawn in either Slovak or one of the official
languages of the Council of Europe together with a translation into one of these languages.
06-04-2021
In accordance with Article 24 of the Convention as amended by Article 6 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention), the Slovak Republic, as a Member State of
the European Union participating in the enhanced cooperation on the establishment
of the European Public Prosecutor's Office, declares that the European Public Prosecutor's
Office ("EPPO"), in the exercise of its competences, as provided for by Articles 22,
23 and 25 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, shall be deemed to be a judicial authority
for the purpose of issuing requests for mutual assistance in accordance with the Convention
and its Protocols, as well as for the purpose of providing, on request of another
Contracting Party in accordance with the Convention and its Protocols, information
or evidence which the EPPO has obtained already or may obtain following the initiation
of an investigation in the area of its competence.
The EPPO shall also be deemed to be a judicial authority for the purpose of receipt
of information in accordance with Article 21 of the Convention, in respect of offences
within its competence as provided for by Articles 22, 23 and 25 of Council Regulation
(EU) 2017/1939. This declaration is intended to supplement the previous declarations
made by the Slovak Republic in accordance with Article 24 of the Convention.
With reference to this declaration made in accordance with Article 24 of the Convention,
the Slovak Republic avails itself of the opportunity to interpret the legal effects
of that declaration as follows:
a) Where the Convention or its Protocols refer to the requesting Party or the requested
Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European Public
Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to the EU Member State of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor whose powers and functions are referred to in Article
13 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
b) Where the Convention or its Protocols refer to the law of the requesting or the
requested Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European
Public Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to Union law, in particular
Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, as well as to the national law of the EU Member
State of the competent European Delegated Prosecutor, to the extent applicable in
accordance with Article 5(3) of that Regulation.
c) Where the Convention or its Protocols provide for the possibility for a Party to
make declarations or reservations, all such declarations and reservations made by
the Slovak Republic shall be deemed applicable in case of requests made by another
Party to the European Public Prosecutor's Office whenever a European Delegated Prosecutor
located in the Slovak Republic is competent in accordance with Article 13(1) of Council
Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
d) As a judicial requesting authority acting in accordance with Article 24 of the
Convention as amended by Article 6 of the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention,
the European Public Prosecutor's Office shall comply with any conditions or restrictions
on the use of information and evidence obtained, which may be imposed by the requested
Party based on the Convention and its Protocols.
e) Obligations imposed upon the requesting Party by Article 12 of the Convention shall
also be binding upon the judicial authorities of the EU Member State of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor.
The same applies in case of obligations of the requesting Party under Article 11 of
the Convention as amended by Article 3 of the Second Additional Protocol and under
Articles 13, 14 and 23 of the Second Additional Protocol in respect of the EU Member
State of the European Delegated Prosecutor competent in accordance with Article 13(1)
of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention as amended by Article 4 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, the Slovak Republic declares that requests
to the European Public Prosecutor's Office for mutual assistance as well as information
laid by a Contracting Party in accordance with Article 21 of the Convention shall
be addressed directly to the European Public Prosecutor's Office and the declaration
made in accordance with Article 15 of the Convention as amended by Article 4 of the
Second Additional Protocol to the Convention shall not apply in the case of the European
Public Prosecutor’s Office. Requests for mutual assistance shall be sent either to
the Central Office of the European Public Prosecutor's Office or to the European Delegated
Prosecutor's Office(s) of that Member State. The EPPO shall, where appropriate, forward
such request to the competent national authorities if the EPPO either does not have
or is not exercising its competence in a particular case.
In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention as amended by Article 4 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention, the Slovak Republic furthermore declares that
applications in accordance with Article 11 of the Convention as amended by Article
3 of the Second Additional Protocol, and Articles 13 and 14 of the Second Additional
Protocol as they refer to the above mentioned Article 11, initiated by one of the
European Delegated Prosecutors in that EU Member State, shall be transmitted by the
Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic.
In accordance with Article 33(2) of the Second Additional Protocol, the Slovak Republic
declares that the European Public Prosecutor's Office may, where a joint investigation
team as referred to in Article 20 of that Protocol is intended to operate on the territory
of the Slovak Republic, act in the capacity of “competent authority” in accordance
with Article 20 of that Protocol only after prior notification to the General Prosecutor’s
Office of the Slovak Republic and in accordance with Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939
and the applicable national law.
Spanje
05-06-1987
With reference to the provisions of Article 15.6 of the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, I have the honour to inform you that the Spanish Central Authority will be from now on: Secretario General Técnico - Ministerio de Justicia - San Bernardo 47 - 28015 MADRID Espagne.
10-06-2011
Spain reserves the right to make the execution of letters rogatory for search or seizure
of property dependent on the following conditions:
a. that the offence motivating the letters rogatory is punishable under Spanish law;
b. that the offence motivating the letters rogatory is an extraditable offence under
Spanish law;
c. that execution of the letters rogatory is consistent with Spanish law.
Spain declares that for the purpose of Article 7 (3) of the Convention, the time mentioned
in this provision shall be not less than 30 days.
Spain reserves the right to stipulate that requests and annexed documents shall be
addressed to it accompaned by a duly authenticated translation into Spanish.
Spain reserves the right not to inform other Parties of deleted entries in the criminal
records of Spanish nationals.
In accordance with Article 24 of the Convention, Spain declares that for the purposes
of the Convention, the following shall be deemed judicial authorities:
a) ordinary judges and courts;
b) registrars;
c) public prosecutors;
d) military judges and courts;
e) reporting registrars of the military courts.
This declaration applies also to the Additional Protocol to the Convention, done in
Strasbourg on 17 March 1978.
19-12-2012
Regarding the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, Spain
wishes to replace the terms "Registrars" in the English version and "Greffiers" in
the French version, by "Secretarios Judiciales" in the text of the declaration made
by Spain pursuant to Article 24. This modification also applies to the Additional
Protocol to the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, done
in Strasbourg, on 17 March 1978.
This modification is done following the instructions of the Ministry of Justice, as
the English word "Registrars" and the French word "Greffiers" are not exactly equivalent
to the functions exercised by the "Secretarios Judiciales" in the Spanish judicial
system.
Therefore, as the terms specific to the domestic laws (such as "Rechtspfleger" and
"Greffier") are used in their own languages, given their singularity, according to
the Ministry of Justice, the term "Secretarios Judiciales" should be used without
being translated in the text of the declaration made to Article 24 of said Convention.
14-10-2021
Central authority:
Updating of contact information:
(Article 15.6)
Subdirección General de Cooperación Jurídica Internacional
Ministerio de Justicia
[...]
Tsjechië
02-01-1993
Under the terms of Article 5.1.a and 5.1.c the execution of letters rogatory for search or seizure of property will be made on conditions that the offence motivating the letters rogatory is punishable under both the law of the requesting Party and the law of the Czech Republic and the execution of the letters rogatory is consistent with the law of the Czech Republic.
16-03-1994
Within the meaning of Article 15, paragraph 6 of the European Convention on Mutual
Assistance in Criminal Matters, the letters rogatory relating to a criminal matter
shall be addressed to the General Attorney Office of the Czech Republic before the
case is brought before a court and to the Ministry of Justice of the Czech Republic
after it has been brought before a court.
In accordance with the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters,
the service of a summons on an accused person who is in the territory of the Czech
Republic shall be transmitted to the respective authorities of the Czech Republic
at least 30 days before the date set for appearance.
19-11-1996
In compliance with Article 24 of the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal
Matters and Article 8 of its Additional Protocol, I declare that, for the purposes
of the Convention and its Additional Protocol, the following authorities shall be
considered as judicial authorities: the Office of the Supreme Prosecutor of the Czech
Republic, the Regional and District Offices of the Prosecutors, the Town Prosecutor's
Office in Prague, the Ministry of Justice of the Czech Republic, the Regional and
District Courts and the Town Court in Prague.
06-10-2014
The declaration made by the Czech Republic related to Article 15, paragraph 6, of
the Convention, registered at the Secretariat General on 16 March 1994, is amended
as follows:
In accordance with Article 15(6) of the Convention, the Czech Republic declares that:
a) Requests for assistance originating from pre-trial proceedings shall be sent to
the Supreme Prosecutor's Office of the Czech Republic;
b) Other requests for assistance shall be sent to the Ministry of Justice of the Czech
Republic
16-08-2018
In accordance with Article 26, paragraph 4, of the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters of 20 April 1959, the Czech Republic notifies that as from 16 August 2018, it will apply legislation implementing the Directive 2014/41/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 regarding the European Investigation Order in Criminal Matters (hereinafter, the “Directive”), which the Czech Republic considers a uniform law within the meaning of this article and which the Czech Republic will apply within the scope of the Directive in relation to those member States of the European Union that also apply legislation implementing the Directive.
04-03-2021
In accordance with Article 24 of the Convention (as amended by Article 6 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention), the Czech Republic, as a Member State of the
European Union participating in the enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the
European Public Prosecutor's Office, declares that the European Public Prosecutor's
Office ("EPPO"), in the exercise of its competences, as provided for by Articles 22,
23 and 25 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, shall be deemed to be a judicial authority
for the purpose of issuing requests for mutual assistance in accordance with the Convention
and its Protocols, as well as for the purpose of providing, on request of another
Contracting Party in accordance with the Convention and its Protocols, information
or evidence which the EPPO has obtained already or may obtain following the initiation
of an investigation in the area of its competence. The EPPO shall also be deemed to
be a judicial authority for the purpose of receipt of information in accordance with
Article 21 of the Convention, in respect of offences within its competence as provided
for by Articles 22, 23 and 25 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939. This declaration
is intended to supplement the previous declarations made by the Czech Republic in
accordance with Article 24 of the Convention.
With reference to this declaration made in accordance with Article 24 of the Convention,
the Czech Republic avails itself of the opportunity to interpret the legal effects
of that declaration as follows:
a) Where the Convention or its Protocols refer to the requesting Party or the requested
Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European Public
Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to the EU Member State of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor whose powers and functions are referred to in Article
13 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
b) Where the Convention or its Protocols refer to the law of the requesting or the
requested Party, this shall in case of requests issued by or addressed to the European
Public Prosecutor's Office be interpreted as referring to Union law, in particular
Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, as well as to the national law of the EU Member
State of the competent European Delegated Prosecutor, to the extent applicable in
accordance with Article 5(3) of that Regulation.
c) Where the Convention or its Protocols provide for the possibility for a Party to
make declarations or reservations, all such declarations and reservations made by
the Czech Republic shall be deemed applicable in case of requests made by another
Party to the European Public Prosecutor's Office whenever a European Delegated Prosecutor
located in the Czech Republic is competent in accordance with Article 13(1) of Council
Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
d) As a judicial requesting authority acting in accordance with Article 24 of the
Convention (as amended by Article 6 of the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention),
the European Public Prosecutor's Office shall comply with any conditions or restrictions
on the use of information and evidence obtained, which may be imposed by the requested
Party based on the Convention and its Protocols.
e) Obligations imposed upon the requesting Party by Article 12 of the Convention shall
also be binding upon the judicial authorities of the EU Member State of the competent
European Delegated Prosecutor. The same applies in case of obligations of the requesting
Party under Article 11 of the Convention (as amended by Article 3 of the Second Additional
Protocol and under Articles 13, 14 and 23 of the Second Additional Protocol) in respect
of the EU Member State of the European Delegated Prosecutor competent in accordance
with Article 13(1) of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.
In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention (as amended by Article 4 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention), the Czech Republic declares that requests
to the European Public Prosecutor's Office for mutual assistance as well as information
laid by a Contracting Party in accordance with Article 21 of the Convention shall
be addressed directly to the European Public Prosecutor's Office (and the declaration
made in accordance with Article 15, paragraph 6, of the Convention (as amended by
Article 4 of the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention) shall not apply in
the case of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office). Requests for mutual assistance
shall be sent either to the Central Office of the European Public Prosecutor's Office
or to the European Delegated Prosecutor's Office(s) of that Member State. The EPPO
shall, where appropriate, forward such request to the competent national authorities
if the EPPO either does not have or is not exercising its competence in a particular
case.
In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention (as amended by Article 4 of the Second
Additional Protocol to the Convention), the Czech Republic furthermore declares, for
the European part of the Netherlands, that applications in accordance with Article
11 of the Convention (as amended by Article 3 of the Second Additional Protocol, and
Articles 13 and 14 of the Second Additional Protocol as they refer to the above mentioned
Article 11), initiated by one of the European Delegated Prosecutors located in the
Czech Republic, shall be transmitted by the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office of the Czech
Republic.
In accordance with Article 33(2) of the Second Additional Protocol, the Czech Republic
declares that the European Public Prosecutor's Office may, where a joint investigation
team as referred to in Article 20 of that Protocol is intended to operate on the territory
of the Czech Republic, act in the capacity of "competent authority" in accordance
with Article 20 of that Protocol only with the prior consent of the Supreme Prosecutor’s
Office of the Czech Republic and in accordance with Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939
and the applicable national law.
Turkije
24-06-1969
The execution of letters rogatory for search or seizure of property shall be dependent
on the conditions stipulated in paragraph 1.a, b. and c.
Service of summons on an accused person who is in the territory of the Turkish Republic
shall be effected by transmission to the proper Turkish authorities at least 40 days
before the date set for appearance.
Verenigd Koninkrijk
29-08-1991
In respect of Article 2, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland reserves the right to refuse assistance if the person who is the
subject of a request for assistance has been convicted or acquitted in the United
Kingdom or in the third State of an offence which arises from the same conduct as
that giving rise to proceedings in the requesting State in respect of that Person.
In respect of Article 3, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland reserves the right not to take the evidence of witnesses or require
the production of records or other documents where its law recognises in relation
thereto privilege, non-compellability or other exemption from giving evidence.
In accordance with Article 5, paragraph 1, the Government of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland reserves the right to make the execution of letters
rogatory for search and seizure of property dependent on the following conditions:
a. that the offence motivating the letters rogatory is punishable under both the law
of the requesting Party and the law of the United Kingdom; and
b. that execution of the letters rogatory is consistent with the law of the United
Kingdom.
The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is unable
to grant requests made under Article 11, paragraph 2 for a person in custody to transit
through its territory.
The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will only
consider the granting of immunity under Article 12 where this is specifically requested
by the person to whom the immunity would apply or by the appropriate authorities of
the party from whom assistance is requested. A request for immunity will not be granted
where the judicial authorities of the United Kingdom consider that granting it would
not be in the public interest.
In accordance with Article 16, paragraph 2, the Government of the United Kingdom reserves
the right to stipulate that requests and annexed documents shall be addressed to it
accompanied by translations into English.
The Government of the United Kingdom reserves the right not to apply Article 21.
16-03-2000
The Government of the United Kingdom wishes, in accordance with Article 25, paragraph
5, to extend the application of this Convention to the Isle of Man, for whose international
relations the United Kingdom is responsible. For this to happen, the agreement of
other States is required.
The consent of the Italian Government has been secured by exchange of letters. Accordingly
as concerns the Government of the United Kingdom and Italy, the Convention now applies
to the Isle of Man. This extension of the Convention came into force on 31 January
2000.
The consent of the Danish Government has been secured by exchange of letters. Accordingly
as concerns the Government of the United Kingdom and Denmark, the Convention now applies
to the Isle of Man. This extension of the Convention came into force on 25 February
2000.
13-02-2001
The Government of the United Kingdom wishes, in accordance with Article 25, paragraph
5, to extend the application of this Convention to the Isle of Man, for whose international
relations the United Kingdom is responsible. For this to happen, the agreement of
other States is required.
The consent of the Greek Government has been secured by exchange of letters. Accordingly
as concerns the Government of the United Kingdom and Greece, the Convention now applies
to the Isle of Man. This extension of the Convention came into force on 22 January
2001.
The consent of the Luxembourg Government has been secured by exchange of letters.
Accordingly as concerns the Government of the United Kingdom and Luxembourg, the Convention
now applies to the Isle of Man. This extension of the Convention came into force on
3 July 2000.
10-05-2001
The Government of the United Kingdom wishes, in accordance with Article 25, paragraph
5, to extend the application of this Convention to the Isle of Man, for whose international
relations the United Kingdom is responsible. For this to happen, the agreement of
other States is required.
The consent of the Spanish Government has been secured by exchange of letters. Accordingly
as concerns the Government of the United Kingdom and Spain, the Convention now applies
to the Isle of Man. This extension of the Convention came into force on 5 February
2001.
10-10-2001
The Government of the United Kingdom wishes, in accordance with Article 25, paragraph
5, to extend the application of this Convention to the Isle of Man, for whose international
relations the United Kingdom is responsible. For this to happen, the agreement of
other States is required.
The consent of the Government of the Netherlands has been secured by exchange of letters.
Accordingly as concerns the Governments of the United Kingdom and the Netherlands,
the Convention now applies to the Isle of Man, Aruba and Netherlands Antilles. This
extension of the Convention came into force on 14 September 2001.
23-04-2002
The Government of the United Kingdom wishes, in accordance with Article 25, paragraph
5, to extend the application of the Convention to the Isle of Man, for whose international
relations the United Kingdom is responsible. For this to happen, the agreement of
other States is required.
The consent of the Swedish Government has been secured by exchange of letters. Accordingly,
as concerns the Governments of the United Kingdom and Sweden, the Convention now applies
to the Isle of Man. This extension of the Convention came into force on 28 February
2002.
The Government of the United Kingdom wishes, in accordance with Article 25, paragraph
5, to extend the application of the Convention to the Isle of Man, for whose international
relations the United Kingdom is responsible. For this to happen, the agreement of
other States is required.
The consent of the Austrian Government has been secured by exchange of letters. Accordingly,
as concerns the Governments of the United Kingdom and Austria, the Convention now
applies to the Isle of Man. This extension of the Convention came into force on 1
February 2002.
27-09-2002
The Government of the United Kingdom wishes, in accordance with Article 25, paragraph
5, to extend the application of the Convention to the Isle of Man, for whose international
relations the United Kingdom is responsible. For this to happen, the agreement of
other States is required.
The consent of the Portuguese Government has been secured by exchange of Letters.
Accordingly, as concerns the Governments of the United Kingdom and Portugal, the Convention
now applies to the Isle of Man. This extension of the Convention came into force on
25th July 2002.
The Government of the United Kingdom proposes that, in accordance with Article 25,
paragraph 5, of the Convention, the United Kingdom's ratification of the Convention
be extended to the Bailiwick of Guernsey, being a territory for whose international
relations the United Kingdom is responsible. (This extension would not apply to the
Additional Protocol of 1978).
In order that the provisions of Article 25, paragraph 5, be fulfilled, the Government
of the United Kingdom requests that the Secretariat General of the Council of Europe
circulate this Note to all other Contracting Parties on the basis that in the absence
of receipt of a Note of objection within 90 days of the date of such circulation,
an arrangement to this effect for the purposes of Article 25, paragraph 5, will be
deemed to have been made between the United Kingdom and each of the Contracting Parties.
For the purposes of Chapter V of the Convention, the judicial authority for the Bailiwick
of Guernsey should be:
Address: HM Attorney General, St James' Chambers, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 2PA;
Tel.: 44 (0) 1481.723355; Fax: 44 (0) 1481.725439;
Email: law@gov.gg ; Website: www.gov/gg/law
27-06-2003
The Government of the United Kingdom proposes that, in accordance with Article 25,
paragraph 5, of the Convention, the United Kingdom’s ratification of the Convention
be extended to the Isle of Man, being a territory for whose international relations
the United Kingdom is responsible. (This extension would not apply to the Additional
Protocol of 1978).
This extension has already been effected in respect of certain Contracting Parties
by bilateral arrangement between those Contracting Parties and the United Kingdom.
Those Contracting Parties are Austria, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Sweden, Italy, Luxembourg,
The Netherlands and Denmark. This Note does not affect those extensions.
In order that the provisions of Article 25, paragraph 5, be fulfilled in respect of
the remaining Contracting Parties, I request that you circulate this Note to them
on the basis that in the absence of receipt of a Note of objection within 90 days
of the date of such circulation, an arrangement to this effect for the purposes of
Article 25, paragraph 5, will be deemed to have been made between the United Kingdom
and each of the Contracting Parties.
For the purposes of Chapter V of the Convention, the judicial authority for the Isle
of Man should be:
Address: Office of the Attorney General, Victory House, Prospect Hill, Douglas, Isle
of Man;
Tel.: 44 (0) 1624.685.452
Fax: 44 (0) 1624.629.162.
25-05-2004
In respect of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
references to the "Ministry of Justice" for the purposes of Article 11, paragraph
2, Article 15, paragraphs 1, 3 and 6, Article 21, paragraph 1 and Article 22 are
to the Home Office (for England and Wales), the Crown Office (for Scotland) and the
Northern Ireland Office (for Northern Ireland).
The Government of the United Kingdom declares that, with reference to the declaration
made under Article 24 of the Convention, on 29 August 1991, it also deems "The Commissioners
of the Inland Revenue" and "The Financial Services Authority" to be judicial authorities
for the purposes of the Convention, in addition to the authorities already listed.
01-03-2005
As of 1 April 2005, the Government of the United Kingdom will no longer deem the Solicitor
of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and any person within the Solicitor's Office authorised
by him or the Commissioners of the Inland Revenue to be judicial authorities for the
purposes of the Convention. The Government of the United Kingdom wishes to replace
the aforementioned authorities with the Director of the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions
Office and anyone within that Office authorised by him. The declaration made under
Article 24 of the Convention should read as follows with effect from 1 April 2005:
In accordance with Article 24 for the purposes of the Convention, the Government of
the United Kingdom deems the following to be judicial authorities:
· Magistrates' courts, the Crown Court and the High Court
· The Attorney General for England and Wales
· The Director of Public Prosecutions and any Crown Prosecutor
· The Director and any designated member of the Serious Fraud Office
· The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in respect of his functions of investigating
and prosecuting offences
· The Director of the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office and anyone within that
Office authorised by him
· District courts and Sheriff Courts and the High Court of Justiciary
· The Lord Advocate
· Any Procurator Fiscal
· The Attorney General for Nothern Ireland
· The Director of Public Prosecutions in Nothern Ireland
· The Financial Service Authority
23-03-2005
As of 1 April 2005, the Government of the United Kingdom will deem the Director of
the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office and anyone within that Office authorised
by him to be judicial authorities for the purposes of the Convention, in addition
to the authorities already listed in the declaration made under Article 24 of the
Convention.
As of 1 May 2005, the Government of the United Kingdom will no longer deem the Solicitor
or Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and any person within the Solicitor's Office authorised
by him or the Commissioners of the Inland Revenue to be judicial authorities for the
purposes of the Convention. The Government of the United Kingdom wishes to replace
the aforementioned authorities with. The declaration should read as follows with effect
from 1 May 2005:
In accordance with Article 24 for the purposes of the Convention, the Government of
the United Kingdom deems the following to be judicial authorities:
· Magistrates' courts, the Crown Court and the High Court
· The Attorney General for England and Wales
· The Director of Public Prosecutions and any Crown Prosecutor
· The Director and any designated member of the Serious Fraud Office
· The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in respect of his functions of investigating
and prosecuting offences
· The Director of the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office and anyone within that
Office authorised by him
· District Courts and Sheriff Courts and the High Court of Justiciary
· The Lord Advocate
· Any Procurator Fiscal
· The Attorney General for Northern Ireland
· The Director of Public Prosecutions in Northern Ireland
· The Financial Services Authority.
27-06-2008
The Government of the United Kingdom proposes that, in accordance with Article 25,
paragraph 5, of the Convention and Article 7, paragraph 2, of the Protocol thereto,
the United Kingdom's ratification of the Convention and Additional Protocol be extended
to the Bailiwick of Jersey, being a territory for whose international relations the
United Kingdom is responsible.
The reservations made by the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland upon ratification with respect to Articles 2, 3, 5(1), 11(2), 12
and 21 of the Convention and Article 8(2) (with respect to Chapters II and III) of
the Additional Protocol, will apply in respect to the Island of Jersey. I further
have the honour to make the additional declarations on behalf of the Bailiwick of
Jersey:
In respect of the Island of Jersey, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland requests that references to the "Ministry of Justice"
for the purposes of Article 11, paragraph 2, Article 15, paragraphs 1, 3 and 6, Article
21, paragraph 1, and Article 22 are to Her Majesty's Attorney General for Jersey.
In accordance with Article 16, paragraph 2, the Governement of the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland reserves on behalf of the Island of Jersey the
right to stipulate that requests and annexed documents shall be addressed to it accompanied
by translations into English.
On behalf of the Island of Jersey, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland notes that the small jurisdiction of Jersey receives a disproportionately
higher number of requests for mutual assistance than it makes. In the circumstances,
on behalf of the Island of Jersey, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland expresses the wish that requesting parties be prepared to consider
a refund of reasonable expenses outside the scope of what is set out in Article 20.
On behalf of the Island of Jersey, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland stipulates that a lack of agreement on the refunding of expenses
will not affect the commitment of the Island of Jersey to the obligations contained
in the Convention.
In accordance with Article 24 for the purposes of the Convention, the Government of
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland deems the following to be
judicial authorities in the Island of Jersey:
the Magistrate's Court and the Royal Court
Her Majesty's Attorney General for Jersey
In order that the provisions of Article 25, paragraph 5, of the Convention be fulfilled,
I request that you circulate this Note to all other Contracting Parties on the basis
that in the absence of receipt of a Note of objection within 90 days of the date of
such circulation, an arrangement to this effect for the purposes of Article 25, paragraph
5, will be deemed to have been made between the United Kingdom and each of the Contracting
Parties.
Bezwaar Spanje, 10-09-2008
With reference to the extension and application of the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters of 1959 (ETS No. 30) and its Additional Protocol (ETS No. 99) to the Island of Jersey, I have the honour to inform you that the competent Spanish authorities are in the process of examining the content of the Note prepared by the British authorities and communicated by the Depositary, as well as the mechanism used in order to reach a direct agreement as provided for by Article 25.5 of the Convention.
Bezwaar Italië, 03-10-2008
With reference to the United Kingdom's request for an extension of the scope of application
of the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters (ETS No. 30) and
its Additional Protocol (ETS No. 99) to the Bailiwick of Jersey, I have the honour
to inform you that Italy accepts the above-mentioned extension of the Convention and
the Protocol.
Nevertheless, taking into account the very small number of Italian requests concerning
the Bailiwick of Jersey and the bilateral treaties, Italy does not deem it necessary
to consider a refund of expenses outside the scope of what is set out in Article 20.
Bezwaar Spanje, 19-01-2009
Following the communication dated 9 September 2008 concerning the extension and application
of the Convention and its Additional Protocol to the Isle of Jersey, the Spanish authorities,
especially the Ministry of Justice, which is the competent authority in this matter,
reported that there is an interest on their part to carry on mutual assistance in
criminal matters with the Isle of Jersey.
The said authorities consider that the proper procedure to accomplish this task is
that the United Kingdom requires the agreement of the Parties to the Convention to
extend its application to the Isle of Jersey through direct bilateral agreement between
the Parties and not just through a tacit acceptance after a certain time elapses.
In addition, the Ministry of Justice considers that the procedure for reimbursement
of expenses generated by the mutual assistance in criminal matters proposed by the
United Kingdom implies an exception to the general rules applicable which is not sufficiently
justified, especially taking into account that the British argument to offer reimbursement
(the legal authorities of Jersey receive more requests for assistance than they request)
is also applicable to Spain in respect of the United Kingdom since Spain is facing
more requests from the United Kingdom than the latter sends to the Spanish authorities.
30-06-2010
In accordance with Article 24 of the Convention (as inserted by Article 6 of the Second
Additional Protocol), the Government of the United Kingdom declares the following
to be judicial authorities:
- Magistrates' Courts, Crown Courts and the High Court;
- the Attorney General for England and Wales;
- the Director of Public Prosecutions and any Crown Prosecutor;
- the Director and any designated member of the Serious Fraud Office;
- the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills in respect of his function
of investigating and prosecuting offences;
- the Director of the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office and anyone within that
Office authorised by him;
- District Courts, Sheriff Courts and the High Court of Justiciary;
- the Lord Advocate;
- any Procurator Fiscal;
- the Attorney General for Northern Ireland;
- the Director of Public Prosecutions in Northern Ireland;
- The Commissioners of the Inland Revenue;
- the Financial Services Authority.
31-07-2019
[…] the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland wishes the application
of the Convention to be extended to the territory of Gibraltar, for whose international
relations the United Kingdom is responsible. This extension would not apply to the
Additional Protocols of 1978 and 2001.
The Government of the United Kingdom requests the Secretariat General of the Council
of Europe to circulate this Note to all other Contracting Parties informing them that,
pursuant to Article 25, paragraph 5, of the Convention, an arrangement giving effect
to this extension will be deemed to have been made between the United Kingdom and
each of the Contracting Parties from which the Secretariat has not received a Note
of objection within 90 days of the date of circulation.
Bezwaar Spanje, 25-10-2019
With regard to the communication that the United Kingdom addressed to the Secretariat
General of the Council of Europe on 29 July 2019, concerning the intention of the
United Kingdom to extend to Gibraltar the application of the European Convention on
Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters (ETS No. 30), Spain, recalling that it is a
Party to the said Convention, makes the following statement:
Spain desires that co-operation in this matter, made possible between Spain and the
United Kingdom by the Convention, should also be effective in Gibraltar. As required
by Article 25, paragraph 5, of the Convention, this requires the direct agreement
of the Parties. Consequently, the Spanish authorities consider that, under Article
25, paragraph 5, the United Kingdom must apply directly to the Parties to seek their
agreement, which must be express. States Parties should not have received a communication
from the Council of Europe’s Treaty Office, other than a request from the United Kingdom.
Reaffirming the need to follow this procedure for future occasions, Spain responded
to this communication by addressing the United Kingdom directly, by means of a Note
verbale delivered to its Embassy in Madrid on 22 October, expressing its agreement.
Spain does not accept that a territorial extension of the Convention can take place
merely by tacit acceptance.
Bezwaar Spanje, 28-04-2022
With regard to the communication that the United Kingdom addressed to the Secretariat
General of the Council of Europe on 29 July 2019, concerning the intention of the
United Kingdom to extend to Gibraltar the application of the European Convention on
Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters (ETS No. 30), Spain, recalling that it is a
Party to the said Convention, as well as to the Additional Protocol (ETS No. 99) and
to the Second Additional Protocol (ETS No. 182) thereof, makes the following statement:
- Gibraltar is a non-autonomous territory whose international relations come under
the responsibility of the United Kingdom and which is subject to a decolonisation
process in accordance with the relevant decisions and resolutions of the General Assembly
of the United Nations.
- The authorities of Gibraltar have a local character and exercise exclusively internal
competences which have their origin and their foundation in a distribution and attribution
of competences performed by the United Kingdom in compliance with its internal legislation,
in its capacity as sovereign State of which the mentioned non-autonomous territory
is dependent.
- As a result, any participation of the Gibraltarian authorities in the application
of the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters and of the Protocols
thereof will be understood as carried out exclusively as part of the internal competences
of Gibraltar and cannot be considered to modify in any way what was established in
the two previous paragraphs.
- The procedure foreseen in the Arrangements relating to Gibraltar authorities in
the context of certain international treaties which were adopted by Spain and the
United Kingdom on 19 December 2007 (as well as the Agreed Arrangements relating to
Gibraltar authorities in the context of EU and EC instruments and related treaties,
dated 19 April 2000), apply to this Convention and, eventually, to the Protocols thereof.
- The application to Gibraltar of this Convention and eventually of the Protocols
thereof should not be interpreted as an acknowledgment of any right or any situation
regarding areas not covered by Article X of the Treaty of Utrecht of 13 July 1713,
concluded between the Crowns of Spain and of the United Kingdom.
Zuid-Korea
29-09-2011
In respect of Article 5 of the Convention, the Republic of Korea reserves the right
to make the execution of letters rogatory, provided that the conditions stipulated
in subparagraphs 1.a and 1.c of Article 5 are complied with.
The Republic of Korea declares that if the offence for which assistance is sought
is punishable by death under the law of the Republic of Korea, and if in respect of
such offence the death-penalty is not provided for by the law of the requested Party
or is not normally carried out, the Republic of Korea, if requested, shall give assurance
that the death-penalty will not be carried out even if it is imposed by a court of
the Republic of Korea.
In respect of Article 7, paragraph 3, of the Convention, the Republic of Korea declares
that it shall specify "a certain time" to be 45 days.
In accordance with Article 15 of the Convention, the Republic of Korea reserves the
right to limit its channels of communication to the diplomatic channel and the direct
channel between the Ministries of Justice.
In respect of Article 16 of the Convention, the Republic of Korea reserves the right
to apply Article 16,
paragraph 2, as follows: “Requests, annexed documents and any other communications
pursuant to this
Convention shall be accompanied by a translation into the language of the requested
Party or into the English language.
Zweden
01-02-1968
Service of a summons on a person who is in Sweden must be transmitted to the Swedish authorities at least 30 days before the date fixed for appearance.
24-11-2000
A request for assistance may be refused if in Sweden a judgment or decision on waiver
of prosecution has been issued concerning the same act.
The agreement of 26 April 1974 between Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway
on mutual assistance through service and collection of evidence shall apply.
Notifications concerning subsequent measures will be given to the extent that this
is possible, according to Swedish regulations.
Sweden will make the execution of letters rogatory for search and seizure subject
to the conditions laid down in paragraph 1, subparagraph a) and c).
A person in Sweden who has been deprived of liberty may be transferred to another
State if the questioning or confrontation concerns matters other than the investigation
of the criminal liability of the person deprived of liberty.
The application together with the appendices shall be translated to Swedish, Danish
or Norwegian, unless the authority dealing with the application otherwise allows in
the individual case.
For the purposes of the Convention Sweden deems courts and prosecutors to be judicial
authorities.
19-12-2013
Article 24
In matters concerning service of documents under Article 7 of the Convention:
County Administrative Board of Stockholm.
Zwitserland
20-12-1966
The Swiss Federal Council declares that Switzerland will make the execution of all
letters rogatory requiring the application of any coercive measure dependent on the
condition stated in Article 5, paragraph 1.a of the Convention.
Switzerland demands that all requests for the service of a summons on an accused person
who is in Switzerland should reach the Swiss Authority which is competent under Article
15, paragraph 4, not later than 30 days before the date set for appearance.
The Swiss Federal Council declares that, for the Swiss authorities, the condition
contained in Article 12, paragraph 3, for the cessation of immunity is - unlike the
condition laid down in Article 14 of the European Convention on Extradition - only
fulfilled when the witness, expert or acused person at liberty is not prevented by
any legal or practical obstacle from freely leaving the territory of the requesting
State.
Since anybody may obtain extracts from his own judicial record, Switzerland reserves
the right not to comply with requests made under Article 13, paragraph 2, unless it
is established that it is necessary to obtain such extract through official channels.
Switzerland demands that all requests for mutual assistance and annexes thereto addressed
to its authorities, with the exception of requests for the service of summonses, be
accompanied by a translation into French, German or Italian, if they are not drawn
up in one of these languages.
13-12-1996
The Swiss Federal Council has decided, in its meeting on 12 November 1996, to modify
the reservation made by Switzerland with regard to Article 2, by deleting the words
"in specific cases" in the sub-paragraph b and by adding a new sub-paragraph c. The
reservation made by Switzerland will subsequently have the following new content:
"Article 2
a. Switzerland also reserves the right to refuse assistance if the act motivating
the request is the subject, in Switzerland, of criminal proceedings against the same
person or if a criminal judgment on the merits has been delivered in Switzerland in
respect of the act and of the guilt of the accused;
b. Switzerland reserves the right to afford mutual assistance under the Convention
only on the express condition that the results of investigations made in Switzerland
and the information contained in documents or files transmitted are used solely for
the purpose of examining and trying the offences in respect of which mutual assistance
is provided;
c. The requesting State may make use of the results of investigations made in Switzerland
and the information contained in documents or files transmitted notwithstanding the
condition mentioned under letter b, when the facts giving rise to the request constitute
another offence for which mutual assistance may be granted by Switzerland or where
the criminal proceedings in the requesting State are directed against other persons
who have participated in the commission of the offence."
27-03-1997
Referring to the reservation formulated by Switzerland with respect to Article 2 of
the Convention, from which the new wording has been communicated on 5 December 1996,
the Permanent Representation of Switzerland has the honour to precise the following.
The amendment (deletion of the phrase "in specific cases") made to paragraph b of
the reservation formulated by Switzerland in 1966 is not to be interpreted as an extension
of that reservation, rather the contrary.
In fact, on the one hand, since the entry into force of the Federal Law of 20 March
1981 on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, the phrase mentioned above has become
superfluous. On the other hand, the general principle of speciality, which paragraph
b of the reservation merely re-states, will in future be applied less rigidly by Switzerland,
as indeed further appears from the new paragraph c) added to the Swiss reservation.
29-01-2002
The Swiss Federal Council declares that the following authorities shall be regarded
as Swiss judicial authorities for the purposes of the Convention:
- the Tribunals, their courts, chambers or sections;
- the Public Prosecutor (Ministère public) of the Confederation;
- the Federal Office of Justice;
-the authorities empowered by cantonal or federal law to hold an enquiry in criminal
cases, to issue warrants or summonses (mandats de répressions) and to take decisions
in a procedure connected with a criminal case. Since the denominations of the function
of such authorities vary, the competent authority will, whenever necessary at the
time of transmitting a request for assistance, expressly confirm that it is a judicial
authority within the meaning of the Convention.
The Swiss Federal Council declares that the competent authorities in Switzerland for
the issue of warrants for the arrest of persons in custody who are transferred to
the Swiss authorities under Article 11, paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Convention is the
Federal Office of Justice of the Federal Department of Justice and Police in Berne.
The list of the Swiss central authorities territorially competent to which a request
can be addressed can be consulted online at the following address: http://www.elorge.admin.ch
The Swiss Federal Council declares that the competent authorities in Switzerland are:
the Federal Office of Justice of the Federal Department of Justice and Police in Berne
for the receipt or transmission of all requests for mutual assistance emanating from
abroad or from Switzerland which Article 15 requires to be transmitted by the Ministry
of Justice of the requesting Party to the Ministry of Justice of the requested Party;
and
2. the Federal Office of Justice in Berne for the submission and receipt of requests
for extracts from judicial records, in accordance with the first sentence of Article
15, paragraph 3.
01-02-2022
The Permanent Representation of Switzerland […] and, referring to the notifications
of declarations JJ9199C, Tr./030-136 Tr./099-69 Tr./182-95, JJ9180C revised, Tr./030-132
T r./099-65 Tr./182-90, JJ9184C revised, Tr./030-133 Tr./099-66 Tr./182-91, JJ9204C,
Tr./030-137 Tr./099-70 Tr./182-96, JJ9238C, Tr./030-143 Tr./099-76 Tr./182-103, JJ9273C,
Tr./030- 144 Tr./099-77 Tr./182-104, JJ9213C, Tr./030- 139 Tr./099-72 Tr./182-98,
JJ9234C, Tr./030- 141 Tr./099-74 Tr./182-100, JJ9190C, Tr./030-134 Tr./099- 67 Tr./182-93,
JJ9216C, Tr./030- 140 Tr./099-73 Tr./182-99, JJ9194C, Tr./030-135 Tr./099-68 Tr./182-
94, JJ9212C, Tr./030-138 Tr./099-71 Tr./182-97, JJ9285C, Tr./030-146 Tr./099-78 Tr./182-105
and JJ9304C, Tr./030-147 Tr./099-79 Tr./182-107, has the honor to inform her of the
following:
The Swiss Federal Council has examined the declarations relating to Article 24 of
the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters of 20 April 1959
as amended by Article 6 of the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention of 8 November
2001 formulated by Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Romania, the Slovak Republic
and Slovenia. These States declare that the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO),
in the exercise of its powers, as provided for in Articles 22, 23 and 25 of Council
Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, shall be deemed to be a judicial authority for the purposes
of the issuing requests for mutual legal assistance in accordance with the Convention
and its Protocols as well as for the purpose of providing, on request of another Contracting
Party in accordance with the Convention and its protocols, information or evidence
which the EPPO has obtained already or may obtain following the initiation of an investigation
in the area of its competence. These States further declare that the EPPO shall also
be deemed to be a judicial authority for the purpose of receipt of information in
accordance with Article 21 of the Convention in respect of offences within its competence
as provided for by Articles 22, 23 and 25 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939. These
declarations are intended to supplement the previous declarations relating to Article
24 of the Convention.
The Federal Council considers that the European Convention […] as amended by the Second
Additional Protocol allows States Parties to notify only their own judicial authorities
as judicial authorities within the meaning of the Convention and the Additional Protocols.
The European Public Prosecutor's Office is not a judicial authority of a State Party
but an organ of the European Union with its own legal personality and judicial powers.
Consequently, Switzerland is of the opinion that the declarations of the aforementioned
States as well as the identical or similar declarations which will be, if necessary,
formulated by other States participating in the European Public Prosecutor's Office
are not in conformity with the Convention and are not enforceable against it. Therefore,
collaboration between the Swiss authorities and the European Public Prosecutor's Office
cannot take place based on the Convention and its Additional Protocols. Requests from
the European Public Prosecutor's Office to the Swiss authorities are examined in the
light of Swiss domestic legislation.
Switzerland welcomes and supports the work of the Council of Europe aimed at drafting
a binding instrument which will provide an international legal basis for criminal
cooperation with the European Public Prosecutor's Office.