UK ratifies European Convention on International Crime
01 January 1991
UK ratifies European Convention on International Crime
bacdoc September=1991
The UK today ratified a European Convention which will
radically increase the cooperation available between overseas
countries in the fight against international crime.
Home Office Minister of State, the Rt Hon John Patten MP said:
" The convention, together with the legislation we have
introduced in order to ratify it, provides a very valuable
weapon in the fight against international crime - particularly
fraud and drug dealing.
" By providing a cooperative framework between countries it
will enable us to obtain and supply evidence for use in
criminal proceedings in this country and abroad and will
facilitate the appearance of individuals from one country in
criminal proceedings in another."
The European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal
Matters will enter into force for the UK in ninety days time.
In order to comply with the convention, the UK introduced new
powers under Part I of the Criminal Justice (International
Cooperation) Act 1990 which:
make it possible to serve on individuals in the UK
summonses and other judicial documents relating to
criminal proceedings in another country. The UK can
expect the same assistance in return;
empower the UK courts to seek assistance from overseas
authorities in obtaining evidence for use in
investigations or proceedings here. Corresponding
provisions enable the UK to respond to similar requests
overseas;
provide for UK prisoners to be temporarily transferred
overseas to assist in foreign proceedings, and for
overseas prisoners to come to do so here;
enable courts in the UK to authorise the police to
exercise powers of search and seizure for evidence, on
behalf of other countries; and
provide for the enforcement in the UK of overseas court
orders for the forfeiture of items used in the commission
of serious offences.
NOTES:
1. Modifications to the law of evidence contained in the
Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, and in the Criminal
Justice Act 1988, have made it easier for documentary evidence
to be admitted in criminal proceedings in England and Wales.
These changes made possible the provisions introduced under
Part I of the Criminal Justice (International Cooperation) Act
1990 and enable the UK to make more use of the arrangements
under the European Convention.
2. Other signatories that are party to the European
Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters are:-
Austria Italy
Belgium Liechtenstein
Denmark Luxembourg
Finland Netherlands
France Norway
Germany Spain
Greece Sweden
Iceland Switzerland
Israel Turkey
Home Office press release: 29 August 1991