Prosecution Guidance on International Cooperation
Plain-English digest of CPS prosecution guidance.
AI-generated summary — not verbatim. This is a plain-English digest, not the official CPS text. It may omit detail or fall out of date. Do not rely on it for a charging decision — read the full guidance on cps.gov.uk and check the current legislation.
This guidance outlines how prosecutors in England and Wales can obtain evidence from overseas for criminal investigations and proceedings. It covers various aspects of international cooperation, including the processes for requesting Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) and the transfer of proceedings to other jurisdictions. It emphasizes the importance of early consideration of international dimensions in cases and provides practical guidance on drafting requests for assistance.
Key points
- Prosecutors should identify the need for international evidence as early as possible.
- Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) is sometimes required to obtain evidence located overseas.
- Requests for evidence can be made via police-to-police cooperation when appropriate.
- Formal requests must adhere to domestic laws and international treaties.
- Confidentiality is essential in MLA requests to avoid unwanted disclosures.
- Evidence obtained must be admissible according to UK laws.
Public-interest factors
- Ensures effective prosecution of crime with international dimensions.
- Supports judicial cooperation between the UK and other countries.
- Facilitates the gathering of crucial evidence for criminal cases.
This is a factual digest of guidance published by the Crown Prosecution Service. Digested 2026-07-15. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the CPS.