8.1 Templates
A number of templates are available for download and use by PILON member law enforcement agencies and central authorities to assist in the preparation and processing of mutual assistance requests. The templates are a guide only and consideration should be given to adapting to the particular needs and legislative requirements of your country.
Download (DOCX, 38.9 KB) Mutual Legal Assistance Questionnaire for Law Enforcement
Download (DOCX, 25.0 KB) Mutual Legal Assistance Request
Download (DOCX, 18.7 KB) Affidavit of business employee
Download (DOCX, 13.7 KB) Affidavit of a law enforcement officer or government official
Download (DOCX, 18.0 KB) Direct request to service provider for voluntary disclosure of data
Download (DOCX, 18.0 KB) Emergency request to service provider for data
8.2 Further Contacts and Resources
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
Requesting Mutual Legal Assistance in criminal matters from APEC Economies: A Step-by-Step Guide (February 2015)
Council of Europe
The Convention on Cybercrime of the Council of Europe (CETS No. 185 or commonly referred to as the Budapest Convention)
Council of Europe Electronic Evidence Guide: A basic guide for police officers, prosecutors and judges (Version 2.1, March 2020)
Council of Europe Electronic Evidence Guide: A basic guide for police officers, prosecutors and judges (Version 2.1, March 2020).
Other resources available at https://www.coe.int/en/web/cybercrime/resources including specific information on international cooperation.
International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law
The Good Practices for Central Authorities sets out the institutional, legal and practical considerations needed to create and support durable legal institutions.
International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL)
INTERPOL runs three Global Programmes to fight crime (counter-terrorism, cybercrime and organised and emerging crime) and developed the i-24/7 global police communications system, enabling law enforcement direct access to databases in real-time. Authorities making or actioning MARs may use INTERPOL’s global network and data to source the evidence sought and INTERPOL officers may help facilitate international informal ‘police-to-police’ requests for information. INTERPOL has a significant presence in the Pacific region, including NCB in Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu.
Pacific Transnational Crime Network (PTCN)
The Pacific Transnational Crime Network (PTCN) provides a Police-led proactive criminal intelligence and investigative capability to combat transnational crime in the Pacific through a multi-agency and regional approach.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
The Mutual Legal Assistance Request Writer Tool was developed by UNODC to assist criminal justice practitioners in drafting MARs.
The UNODC Online Directory of Central Authorities is available to central authorities and government agencies with a user account.
UNODC Practical Guide for Requesting Electronic Evidence Across Borders was published in January 2019 and is available for member states’ criminal justice officials through the UNODC Sherloc Portal.