Hong Kong And Indonesia Sign Legal Assistance Pact

by Mary Swire, for LawAndTax-News.com, Hong Kong

07 April 2008

A legal assistance agreement has been signed by Hong Kong and Indonesia, the 23rd such pact that Hong Kong has put in place to boost international co-operation against serious crime.

SAR Secretary for Justice, Wong Yan Lung and Indonesian Attorney General, Hendarman Supandji signed the document on April 3rd.

It will allow for a wide range of reciprocal assistance to be offered in the investigation and prosecution of criminal offences and in the proceedings relating to criminal matters. It contains all the essential features and safeguards for international agreements of this type.

The assistance provided for under the agreement includes:

• Service of documents;
• Taking evidence;
• Effecting temporary transfer of people in custody to provide assistance;
• Facilitating the voluntary appearance of people to provide assistance;
• Providing documents and other records;
• Executing requests for search and seizure; and,
• Identifying, tracing, restraining, seizing, forfeiting and confiscating proceeds of crime.

The agreement will come into force 30 days after the date on which both parties have notified each other in writing that their respective requirements have been complied with.

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