Fiches Belges: United Kingdom (Third Country)

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

Yes but on a voluntary basis. Confrontation uses the ‘identification parade’ process where the witness sees the suspect in a line of others who resemble the suspect. This measure is rarely executed as video identification is more commonly used.

International legal framework applicable for this measure in your Member State

European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters 1959

* receive the request/decision for judicial cooperation

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 Tax offences in England and Wales contact: HMRC Criminal Law Advisory Team HM Revenue and Customs Solicitor's Office Room 2E/10 100 Parliament Street London SW1A 2BQ

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

The relevant police force

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

A suspect must be given a reasonable opportunity to have a solicitor or friend present, and the suspect shall be asked to indicate on a second copy of the notice whether or not they wish to do so. An identification parade may take place either in a normal room or one equipped with a screen permitting witnesses to see members of the identification parade without being seen. Before the identification parade takes place, the suspect or their solicitor shall be provided with details of the first description of the suspect by any witnesses who are attending the identification parade.

b. Other useful information

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