Individuals in Cross-Border Investigations or Proceedings: The UK Perspective

Cross-border cooperation

The United Kingdom might cooperate with overseas agencies or regulators in various ways when investigating or prosecuting an individual, ranging from informal ‘intelligence sharing’ to mutual legal assistance (MLA). The main domestic legislation governing MLA in the United Kingdom is the Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 (CICA), Part 1 of which deals with criminal cases.

The United Kingdom is party to a number of bilateral and multilateral MLA treaties. While it is not necessary for an MLA treaty to exist between the relevant countries for a request to be made under CICA, requests are more likely to be successful where a treaty basis exists. Cooperation with EU Member States was changed by the United Kingdom’s exiting of the European Union. On 24 December 2020, the United Kingdom and the European Union signed the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which includes specific provisions on cooperation and MLA, and facilitates the application between EU Member States and the United Kingdom of certain previous MLA treaties and conventions. While the TCA ensures there remains a strong cooperative relationship, certain investigative tools, such as European investigation orders, can no longer be used.

This article was first published on Global Investigations Review in January 2024; for further in-depth analysis, please visit GIR The Practitioner’s Guide to Global Investigations – Edition 8.