Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Mutual legal assistance definition

What does Mutual legal assistance mean? Mutual legal assistance (MLA) is cross‑border co‑operation where one state asks another to obtain and use evidence, serve process, or carry out investigatory or enforcement steps for court proceedings, most often in criminal cases (extradition is separate). The term is descriptive rather than a single statutory definition; assistance is provided under treaties and domestic legislation and, in civil matters, through judicial comity. Core features include a legal basis (treaty or statute), routing via central authorities, and conditions such as dual criminality, necessity/proportionality, confidentiality/speciality, and respect for local admissibility and privilege. Typical MLA requests seek witness evidence, banking and communications records, production...

Mutual Legal Assistance under UK Law: Framework for Requests, UK Central Authority, Letters of Request, Evidence Use, Asset Freezing and Confiscation, and Disclosure—Key Case Law

Published by a LexisNexis Corporate Crime expert

Practice notes

MLA

is a framework for co-operation between States to secure support for the investigation or prosecution of criminal offences. MLA is ordinarily relied upon to access material unobtainable through voluntary co-operation between law Enforcement bodies, particularly where coercive powers must be used. It may likewise be invoked to seek help with the restraint and confiscation of criminal proceeds and linked enquiries. The scheme governing formal assistance requests under MLA operates in addition to any avenues for voluntary co-operation that might be pursued—there is no overarching bar on police forces giving voluntary assistance to overseas law enforcement agencies outside the confines of the Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 (C(IC)A 2003). In R (on the application of Akarcay) v Chief Constable of the West Yorkshire Police, the claimant contested West Yorkshire Police’s provision of evidence to Northern Cyprus, which would enable Northern Cyprus to bring proceedings against the claimant for offences committed in the UK at issue...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

Popular documents

Using the Judicial College Guidelines to assess general damages in personal injury claims

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Tomlin orders in England and Wales: CPR guidance on drafting, confidentiality, approval, variation, enforcement, limitation, CCA issues, court-specific requirements, sample wording and precedents

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Precedent: Deed of Surrender of Lease with Optional Premium, Settlement and Release, Landlord, Mortgagee and Guarantor Consents, Reimbursement and HM Land Registry Provisions (England and Wales)

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Precedent Statutory Declaration: Standard Wording under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...