Date: 2023-08-09Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Decision No 1/2023 of the Specialised Committee established by Article 8(1)(r) of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other part, of 19 June 2023 establishing a standard form for requests for mutual assistance [2023/1621]
Executive Summary:
This document is a decision by the Specialised Committee on Law Enforcement and Judicial Cooperation, established under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the UK. It adopts Annex 50 to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which establishes a standard form for requests for mutual assistance in criminal matters. The decision took effect on the first day of the third month following its adoption on June 19, 2023.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Adoption of Standard Form:**
* Annex 50 to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which sets out a standard form for requests for mutual assistance in criminal matters, is adopted.
* **Standard Form Content:**
* Section A: Case Reference, Requesting & Requested States/Authorities.
* Section B: Urgency of request, including reasons and specific dates if applicable.
* Section C: Confidentiality requirements and relevant information.
* Section D: Relation to earlier or simultaneous requests for assistance.
* Section E: Grounds for the request, including classification of offenses, summary of facts, and type of proceedings.
* Section F: Identity of natural or legal persons concerned.
* Section G: Measure required, specifying the type of assistance needed.
* Section H: Additional requirements for specific measures, such as search and seizure, provision of financial information, data requests, video conferences, provisional measures, transfer of persons in custody, and covert investigations.
* Section I: Formalities and procedures requested for execution.
* Section J: Details of the authority issuing the request and contact information.
* Section K: Signature and certification by the requesting authority.
* **Form Usage Requirements:**
* The form must be used by competent authorities under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the UK.
* Information provided must be relevant and limited to what is necessary for the request, in line with data protection requirements.
Impact Analysis:
* **Requesting Authorities (EU Member States and UK):**
* Impact: Must use the standard form when requesting mutual assistance in criminal matters.
* Action Required: Familiarize themselves with the standard form and its requirements. Ensure accurate and complete information is provided in requests.
* **Requested Authorities (EU Member States and UK):**
* Impact: Will receive requests for mutual assistance in the new standard format.
* Action Required: Adapt internal procedures to process requests received in the new standard format.
* **Law Enforcement and Judicial Cooperation Agencies:**
* Impact: Need to be aware of the new standard form and its implications for international cooperation.
* Action Required: Update training materials and operational guidelines to reflect the use of the new standard form.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: One of the parties to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
European Atomic Energy Community: One of the parties to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, along with the European Union.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: One of the parties to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
Trade and Cooperation Agreement: The agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland which is the basis for the mutual assistance requests.
Specialised Committee on Law Enforcement and Judicial Cooperation: The committee established by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement responsible for adopting the decision on the standard form for mutual assistance requests.
Brussels: The location where the decision was made by the Specialised Committee on Law Enforcement and Judicial Cooperation.
Mutual Assistance: The process of cooperation between states for the purpose of aiding criminal investigations.
European Investigation Order: Mentioned in the context of previous related or simultaneous requests for assistance.
9.8.2023 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 199/103
DECISIONS
DECISION No 1/2023 OF THE SPECIALISED COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED BY ARTICLE 8(1)(R) OF
THE TRADE AND COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE
EUROPEAN ATOMIC ENERGY COMMUNITY, OF THE ONE PART, AND THE UNITED KINGDOM
OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND, OF THE OTHER PART,
of 19 June 2023
establishing a standard form for requests for mutual assistance [2023/1621]
THE SPECIALISED COMMITTEE ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AND JUDICIAL COOPERATION,
Having regard to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy
Community, of the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other part (the ‘Trade
and Cooperation Agreement’)(1), and in particular Article 635(1) thereof,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Annex 50 to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement establishing a standard form for requests for mutual assistance in
criminal matters as set out in the Appendix to this Decision is hereby adopted.
Article 2
This Decision shall take effect on the first day of the third month following the date of its adoption.
Done at Brussels, 19 June 2023.
For the Specialised Committee on Law Enforcement and Judicial Cooperation
The Co-chairs
Chris JONES
Bruno GENCARELLI
Stephen CURZON
(1) OJ L 149, 30.4.2021, p. 10.L 199/104 EN Official Journal of the European Union 9.8.2023
APPENDIX
REQUEST FOR MUTUAL ASSISTANCE IN CRIMINAL MATTERS
This form shall be used by the competent authorities to which it applies under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement
between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The information provided must be relevant and not go beyond what is necessary to execute this request, in line with
relevant data protection requirements.
SECTION A
Case Reference: .............................................................................................................
Requesting State: ...........................................................................................................
Requesting Authority: ......................................................................................................
Requested State: ............................................................................................................
Requested Authority (if known): ...........................................................................................
SECTION B: Urgency
Please indicate if there is any urgency due to:
☐ Evidence being concealed or destroyed
☐ Imminent trial date
☐ A person in custody
☐ Period of statute of limitations expiring
☐ Any other reason
Please specify below:
.............................................................................................................................
Time limits for execution of the request are laid down in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement Article 640. However, if
this request is urgent and / or requires action by/on a specific date, please specify and explain the reason for this: ........
.............................................................................................................................
SECTION C: Confidentiality
☐ This request is confidential
Please provide additional information where relevant: .....................................................................
.............................................................................................................................9.8.2023 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 199/105
SECTION D: Relation to an earlier or simultaneous request for assistance
Please identify any actions undertaken in these or related proceedings to seek this evidence via other routes, where
applicable. Please indicate whether this request for mutual assistance supplements an earlier or any simultaneous
request/requests for assistance to the Requested State and, if relevant, to another State.
☐ Previous engagement with law enforcement authorities, prosecutors or other authorities
Provide details of any prior contact by the requesting State including the name of the State, the authority contacted,
relevant contact details and any case reference numbers: ..................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
☐ Previous related or simultaneous request for mutual assistance or European Investigation Order
Provide information relevant to identify the other requests including the name of the State, the authority to which it was
transmitted, the date of request, and reference numbers given by the requesting and requested authorities: ...............
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
☐ Other
If relevant, provide information related to this other request for assistance:
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................L 199/106 EN Official Journal of the European Union 9.8.2023
SECTION E: Grounds for the request
1. Classification of the offence(s)
To ensure this request is sent to the appropriate body, what is the nature and legal classification of the offence(s) for
which the request is made: .................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
Please provide the maximum penalty, the statute of limitation and if applicable, the text of the statutory provision/code
including the relevant provisions relating to penalties:
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
2. Summary of the facts
Description of the conduct giving rise to the offence(s) in respect of which assistance is sought and a summary of
underlying facts: ...........................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
For service of procedural documents and judicial decisions, please provide a short summary of the document(s) and/or
decision(s) to be served, if it is not available in the language of the requested State:
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
For other requests, please describe how the evidence/measure sought can help to investigate and prosecute the
offence(s): ..................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
Stage of investigation/proceedings:
☐ investigation
☐ prosecution
☐ trial
☐ other, specify: ........................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
Description of risks associated with obtaining this evidence, if applicable: ................................................
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
Any other information which the requesting State considers useful to the executing authority in executing the request for
assistance, if applicable: ....................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
3. Is this offence a Driving Offence referred to in Article 640(6) of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement:
☐ Yes
☐ No
4. Type of proceedings for which the request is issued:
☐ proceedings in respect of offences the punishment of which, at the time of the request for assistance, falls within
the jurisdiction of the judicial authorities of the requesting State
☐ proceedings brought by administrative authorities in respect of acts which are punishable under the national law of
the requesting or the requested State by virtue of being infringements of the rules of law, where the decision may
give rise to proceedings before a court having jurisdiction in particular in criminal matters.9.8.2023 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 199/107
SECTION F: Identity of the natural or legal persons concerned
Please only provide information that is relevant and does not go beyond what is necessary for this request. If more than
one person is concerned, please provide the information for each person.
1. State all information, as far as known, regarding the identity of the person(s) concerned by the measure:
(i) In the case of natural person(s)
Name: ......................................................................................................................
First name(s): ...............................................................................................................
Other relevant name(s), if applicable: ......................................................................................
Aliases, if applicable: .......................................................................................................
Sex: .........................................................................................................................
Nationality: .................................................................................................................
Identity number or social security number: ................................................................................
Type and number of the identity document(s) (ID card, passport), if available:
.............................................................................................................................
Date of birth: ...............................................................................................................
Place of birth: ..............................................................................................................
Residence and/or known address; if address not known, state the last known address:
.............................................................................................................................
Workplace (including contact details):......................................................................................
Other contact details (email, phone No): ...................................................................................
Language(s) which the person understands: ................................................................................
Please describe the position the concerned person currently holds in the proceedings:
☐ Suspected or accused person
☐ Victim
☐ Witness
☐ Expert
☐ Third Party
Other (Please specify): ......................................................................................................
(ii) In the case of legal person(s)
Name: ......................................................................................................................
Form of legal person: ......................................................................................................
Shortened name, commonly used name or trading name, if applicable:
.............................................................................................................................
Registered seat/office: ......................................................................................................
Registration number: .......................................................................................................
Address of the legal person: ................................................................................................
Other contact details (email, phone No): ...................................................................................
Name of the legal person’s representative: .................................................................................
Please describe the position the concerned person currently holds in the proceedings:
☐ Suspected or accused person
☐ Victim
☐ Witness
☐ Expert
☐ Third Party
☐ Other (Please specify): ................................................................................................
2. Any other relevant information:
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................L 199/108 EN Official Journal of the European Union 9.8.2023
SECTION G: Measure required
1. Please specify the measure required:
☐ Search and seizure (If ticked section H1 must be completed)
☐ Provision of documents and/or business records
☐ Provision of banking materials or information from other financial institutions (If ticked section H2 must be
completed)
☐ Service of procedural documents and judicial decisions with assistance of requested State
☐ Obtaining information or evidence which is already in the possession of the requested State
☐ Obtaining information contained in databases held by police or judicial authorities
☐ Statements and Hearings (If ticked Section F (Identity of the natural or legal persons concerned) and Section I
(Formalities and procedures requested for the execution), must be completed):
☐ witness
☐ expert
☐ suspected or accused person
☐ victim
☐ third party
☐ Hearing by videoconference, telephone conference or other audio-visual transmission. (If ticked section H4 must
be completed):
☐ witness
☐ expert
☐ suspected or accused person
☐ victim
☐ third party
☐ Obtaining subscriber / entity data (If ticked section H3 must be completed)
☐ Obtaining traffic / events (including location) data (If ticked section H3 must be completed)
☐ Obtaining content data (If ticked section H3 must be completed)
☐ Investigative measure implying the gathering of evidence in real time, continuously and over a certain period of
time:
☐ monitoring of banking or other financial operations
☐ controlled deliveries
☐ other (If so please specify):......................................................................................
☐ Provisional measure(s) for the purpose of preserving evidence, maintaining an existing situation or protecting
endangered legal interests (If ticked section H5 must be completed)
☐ Temporary transfer of a person held in custody to the requesting State (If ticked section H6 must be completed)
☐ Temporary transfer of a person held in custody to the requested State (If ticked section H6 must be completed)
☐ Covert investigation (If ticked section H7 must be completed)
☐ Other (If so please specify): ...........................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
2. Please describe the assistance required, and, if known, the locations where the evidence is located/believed to be
located and any necessary information needed to carry out this measure. To request any formalities or procedures
are observed please see section I: .....................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................9.8.2023 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 199/109
SECTION H: Additional requirements for certain measures
Fill out the sections relevant to the investigative measure(s) requested:
SECTION H1: Search and seizure
Natural or legal person linked to search. If more than one, please provide the details for each:
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
Premises to be searched. Please provide details on how the person is linked to the premises. If more than one, please
provide the information for each: ..........................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
What evidence is being sought? Identify the material for which you want to search in as much detail as
practicable: .................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
Why do you believe that the evidence is likely to be found in the place mentioned above and to be relevant and of
substantial value to the investigation: ......................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
Is there any risk of privileged material being recovered? If so, please provide detail:
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
Will any officials of the requesting State need to be present at the search? (If yes, please provide details in section I):
☐ Yes
☐ No
Any known information relating to investigations in other states which may impact this search and seizure
request: .....................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
Please provide any other relevant information relating to the search and seizure:
.............................................................................................................................
SECTION H2: Provision of information on bank or other financial accounts
If more than one account is concerned, please provide the information for each account.
Please specify what information is being sought:
☐ Information on bank accounts that the person holds in respect of which he or she has the power of attorney
☐ Information on other financial accounts that the person holds or in respect of which he or she has the power of
attorney
☐ Information on banking operations:
☐ Bank Statements
☐ Account opening documentation
☐ Power of Attorney or additional name on account
☐ Other (If so please specify): .....................................................................................
☐ Information on other financial operations:
☐ Account Statements
☐ Account opening documentation
☐ Power of Attorney or additional name on account
☐ Other (If so please specify): .....................................................................................
If available, please provide:
Name of Account Holder: ..................................................................................................L 199/110 EN Official Journal of the European Union 9.8.2023
Name of bank/financial institution: ........................................................................................
IBAN or Account Number and Sort Code: .................................................................................
Time Scale for transactions: ................................................................................................
☐ Other (If so, please specify): ........................................................................................
Please provide additional justification as to why this evidence is likely to be relevant and of substantial value to the
investigation, including the link of the account to the crime committed: ..................................................
.............................................................................................................................
If necessary, please provide any additional information likely to be required to execute this request: ......................
.............................................................................................................................
SECTION H3: Subscriber, traffic, location and content data
Type of data requested:
☐ Subscriber / entity data (e.g. subscription to phone number or IP address), specify: .................................
.......................................................................................................................
☐ Traffic / events data, specify: .........................................................................................
☐ Location data, specify: ................................................................................................
☐ Content data (e.g. web/mailbox dump or message log, snapshot), specify: ...........................................
.......................................................................................................................
☐ Other, specify: ........................................................................................................
All requests for subscriber, traffic or location, and content data requires the following information:
☐ Date (DD/MM/YYYY): ................................................................................................
☐ Timestamp (hh:mm:ss): ..............................................................................................
☐ Time Zone: ...........................................................................................................
Provide further details to help identify the data requested:
☐ IP address (and Port number if applicable): ...........................................................................
☐ Telephone number(s): ................................................................................................
☐ IMEI number(s): ......................................................................................................
☐ Other (Please specify): ................................................................................................
SECTION H4: Video or telephone conference or other audio-visual transmission
If hearing by videoconference or telephone conference or other audio-visual transmission is requested:
Please indicate the name of the authority that will conduct the hearing (please include name of the person who will
conduct the hearing/contact details/language where available): ............................................................
.............................................................................................................................
Proposed date(s) (DD/MM/YYYY): ..........................................................................................
Start time of conference (hh:mm:ss): .......................................................................................
Time Zone: .................................................................................................................
Approximate length of hearing: ............................................................................................
Technical details:
Site name: ..................................................................................................................
Communication system: ...................................................................................................
Contacts of technician (language): .........................................................................................
Pre-test date and time: ......................................................................................................9.8.2023 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 199/111
Contact details for pre-test operator if known: .............................................................................
Language and interpretation arrangements: ................................................................................
Any other requirements (If so please specify): ..............................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
☐ This request concerns an accused person or the suspect and the hearing is, or forms part of, the trial of that
person
Reason(s) why it is not desirable or possible for the witness or expert to attend in person:
.............................................................................................................................
Please specify if the individual, suspected or accused person has given their consent:
☐ Yes
☐ No
☐ I request that the person’s consent is sought before this request proceeds
SECTION H5: Provisional measures
If a provisional measure for the purpose of preserving evidence, maintaining an existing situation or protecting
endangered legal interests is requested, please indicate whether:
☐ the item is to be transferred to the requesting State
☐ the item is to remain in the requested State; please indicate an estimated date:
for lifting of provisional measure: ....................................................................................
for the submission of a subsequent request concerning the item: ....................................................
SECTION H6: Transfer of a person held in custody
(1) If a temporary transfer to the requesting State of a person held in custody for the purpose of the investigation is
requested, please indicate whether the person consented to this measure:
☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ I request that the person’s consent is sought
(2) If a temporary transfer to the requested State of a person held in custody for the purpose of investigation is
requested, please indicate whether the person consented to this measure:
☐ Yes ☐ No
If necessary, please provide any additional information: ...................................................................
SECTION H7: Covert Investigations
Please indicate the reasons why you consider the covert investigative measure relevant for the purpose of the criminal
proceedings:
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
Please provide the following information:
(a) Information for the purpose of identifying the subject of the covert investigation: ....................................L 199/112 EN Official Journal of the European Union 9.8.2023
(b) The desired start date and duration of the covert measure: ............................................................
(c) Details of vehicles/address of the covert measure: .....................................................................
(d) If necessary, please provide any additional information relevant for execution of this request:
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................9.8.2023 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 199/113
SECTION I: Formalities and procedures requested for the execution
1. Tick and complete, if applicable
☐ It is requested that the relevant / competent authority of the requested State comply with the following formalities
and procedures (including any rights/ cautions/warnings that need to be communicated to the person): ............
.............................................................................................................................
2. Tick and complete, if applicable
☐ It is requested that one or several officials of the requesting State is present during the execution of the request in
support of the competent authorities of the requested State.
Name, job title and contact details of the officials:
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
Languages that may be used for communication, if different from language indicated in section J:
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
Nature of assistance to be provided by official(s) of requesting State, and/or any further relevant details:
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
3. Secure transmission of information and/or evidence
Please specify a secure electronic transmission route, if electronic transmission is accepted:
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
If electronic transmission is not accepted or would be inappropriate in this case, please advise the method of
transmission requested: ....................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................L 199/114 EN Official Journal of the European Union 9.8.2023
SECTION J: Details of the authority which issued the request
1. Name of authority which issued the request: .........................................................................
Name of representative/contact point: .....................................................................................
Address: ....................................................................................................................
Tel. No: (country code) (area/city code) .....................................................................................
E-mail: .....................................................................................................................
2. If different from the above, name of the authority conducting criminal investigation:
.............................................................................................................................
Name and title of an official conducting criminal investigation: ...........................................................
.............................................................................................................................
Address: ....................................................................................................................
Tel. No: (country code) (area/city code) .....................................................................................
E-mail: .....................................................................................................................
3. Languages in which it is possible to communicate with the requesting authority:
.............................................................................................................................
4. If different from above, the contact details of the person(s) to contact for additional information or to make
practical arrangements for the transfer of evidence:
Name/Title/Organisation: ..................................................................................................
Address: ....................................................................................................................
E-mail: .....................................................................................................................
Contact Phone No: .........................................................................................................9.8.2023 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 199/115
SECTION K: Signature
By signing this form, I certify that:
— the content of the request as set out in this form is accurate and correct,
— this request has been issued by a competent authority,
— the issuing of this request is necessary for the purpose of the proceedings, and
— the investigative measures requested could have been ordered under the same conditions in a similar domestic case,
and where applicable the necessary authorisation has been obtained.
Signature of the requesting authority and/or its representative:
Name: ......................................................................................................................
Post held: ...................................................................................................................
Date: .......................................................................................................................
Official stamp (if available):
List of enclosures (if applicable):
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................