Fiches Belges: United Kingdom (Third Country)

Is this measure possible in your Member State under International Judicial Cooperation?

Yes, but procedural documents may be sent directly by the Member State to the persons in the UK to whom they relate. The UK strongly encourages direct transmission of procedural documents to persons by post, unless this is not legally possible under the domestic law of the requesting authority.

International legal framework applicable for this measure in your Member State

2000 EU Mutual Legal Assistance Convention

* receive the request/decision for judicial cooperation

Only where direct service by post is not possible, in England or Wales or Northern Ireland contact: UK Central Authority International Criminality Unit Home Office 3rd Floor Seacole Building 2 Marsham Street London SW1P 4DF Scotland contact: International Co-operation Unit Crown Office 25 Chambers Street Edinburgh EH1 1LA

* execute/recognise the measure (if other than the receiving authority)

The central authority will serve the documents by post, or personally by hand if requested. Where personal service is specifically requested, the central authority can arrange for the document to be served by the police.

Accepted languages for the request/decision

All requests should be in English. If an English translation is not provided, is incomplete, or is not carried out to a high professional standard, the request will be sent back to the requesting authority.

Deadlines for the execution of the request/decision (where applicable)

N/A

a. Special requirements

Failure to state which exception to direct postal service under Article 5 of the EU Mutual Assistance Convention 2000 applies may result in the request being refused.

b. Other useful information

HMRC is not a central authority for the purpose of the service of documents. The link below gives information for competent authorities abroad about obtaining evidence within the UK (or abroad) to assist in criminal investigations or proceedings: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mutual-legal-assistance-mla-requests