Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) List and Countries: A 2025 Directory

In the complex world of international law enforcement, Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) are the foundational agreements that enable cross-border evidence gathering. However, a common and critical question arises: “Does my country have an MLAT with the country where the evidence is located?” The answer dictates the entire strategy for obtaining evidence abroad.

This 2025 Directory serves as a crucial resource for lawyers, law enforcement officials, and policymakers. We provide a structured overview of the global MLAT landscape, list key bilateral treaties for major nations, and explain how to navigate the resources that contain the full, legally binding text of these agreements. Please note: This directory provides references and resources; always verify treaty status with the relevant government Central Authority for your specific case.

📜 Understanding MLATs: A Quick Primer

A Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) is a bilateral agreement between two countries that establishes a formal channel for obtaining judicial assistance in criminal matters. It is the most secure and reliable method for acquiring evidence that is admissible in court.

Key components of Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties typically include:

Scope of Assistance: The types of assistance covered (e.g., taking testimony, producing documents, executing searches).
Central Authorities: The designated government agencies in each country responsible for transmitting and receiving requests.
Dual Criminality: Often a requirement that the act under investigation be a crime in both countries.
Grounds for Refusal: Specific reasons a country can deny assistance (e.g., national security, sovereignty).

🗺️ Global MLAT Networks: Key Country Groupings

Most countries are part of a complex web of bilateral treaties. However, some nations have particularly extensive networks.

1. The United States MLAT Network

The United States has one of the most extensive MLAT networks globally, with treaties in force with over 60 countries. This is managed primarily by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs (OIA).

A Selection of U.S. Bilateral MLAT Partners:

Americas: Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela.
Europe: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, Ukraine.
Asia-Pacific: Australia, Hong Kong (SAR China), India, Israel, South Korea, Philippines, Thailand.
Others: Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa.

Source: U.S. Department of State Treaty Affairs

2. The United Kingdom MLAT Network

Following its exit from the EU, the UK has been actively reaffirming its bilateral treaty network, in addition to those it was previously party to as an EU member.

A Selection of UK Bilateral MLAT Partners:

Europe: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine.
Asia-Pacific: Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea.
Others: Canada, Israel, South Africa, United States.

Source: UK Treaty Section, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

3. India’s MLAT Network

India has been rapidly expanding its judicial cooperation network to combat transnational crime and terrorism.

A Selection of India’s Bilateral MLAT Partners:

Asia: Bahrain, Bangladesh, China, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, UAE, Uzbekistan.
Europe: France, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
Others: Canada, United States, Egypt, Morocco.

Source: India Ministry of External Affairs

4. The European Union Framework

EU member states benefit from a powerful multilateral system governed by the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters and enhanced by mechanisms like the European Investigation Order (EIO). This system often supersedes bilateral treaties between member states, creating a streamlined process.

All 27 EU Member States are part of this framework: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.

Source: Council of Europe Treaty Office

🔍 How to Find the Official MLAT List and Text for Your Country

This directory provides a snapshot. For legal proceedings, you must consult the official, full text of the treaty. Here’s how to find it:

Identify Your Central Authority: The government body that handles MLA requests (e.g., the U.S. DOJ OIA, the UK Home Office, India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)) is the ultimate source of truth for treaty status and implementation.
Consult Official Treaty Databases:
- United Nations Treaty Collection (UNTC): A massive repository for multilateral treaties and many bilateral ones. Search for “Mutual Legal Assistance” or the specific country.
- U.S. Department of State Treaty Affairs: Contains all treaties the U.S. is party to, including MLATs.
- Council of Europe Treaty Office: Lists all conventions within the CoE framework, including the foundational European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters (1959).
- Your Country’s Official Gazette or Treaty Database: Most nations publish ratified treaties through an official government portal or foreign ministry website.
Leverage Resources from International Organizations:
- The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) SHERLOC portal is an invaluable database for international cooperation, including treaty status.
- The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) provides guidance to its member countries on legal frameworks.

⚠️ Critical Considerations When Using This Directory

Treaties in Force: A signed treaty is not necessarily in force. Ratification processes vary. Always confirm the treaty is ratified and active.
Specific Provisions: Each MLAT is unique. Some may exclude certain crimes (e.g., political or military offenses) or have specific procedures for financial or digital evidence.
Multilateral Conventions: Remember that broader conventions like the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) also contain MLA provisions and may apply between states even without a dedicated bilateral MLAT.

📊 Case Study: Using the Directory in Practice

Scenario: A Canadian lawyer needs to obtain witness statements from Germany for a fraud trial.

The Process:

The lawyer consults this directory and confirms Canada and Germany have an MLAT (they do).
They then navigate to the Canadian Department of Justice’s International Assistance Group website to access the full text of the Canada-Germany MLAT.
They review the specific articles on taking witness evidence and identify the designated Central Authorities: likely the Canadian Department of Justice and the German Federal Office of Justice.
They draft their Letter of Request in strict compliance with the treaty’s requirements and submit it through the official channel.

❓ MLA Treaty Directory FAQs

Q1: If there’s no bilateral MLAT, is cooperation impossible?
No. Cooperation can still occur based on the principle of reciprocity or through multilateral conventions like UNCAC or UNTOC, if both countries are parties. However, the process is less standardized and more discretionary.

Q2: How often are new MLATs signed?
New treaties are signed regularly as countries seek to strengthen their legal cooperation frameworks. It is essential to check for the most recent status through official channels.

Q3: Do MLATs cover tax crimes?
Many modern MLATs do include provisions for assistance in tax fraud and evasion cases. However, older treaties may contain a “fiscal exclusion” clause. The specific treaty text must be consulted.

Q4: Can a country suspend an MLAT?
Yes. A country can suspend treaty cooperation for another country due to diplomatic disputes, national security concerns, or a determination that the other party is not meeting its obligations under the treaty.

Q5: Where can I find the exact wording of a specific MLAT?
The best sources are the official treaty databases of the two countries involved or the UN Treaty Collection database. Your national Central Authority can also provide guidance.

🧭 Conclusion: Your First Step in a Cross-Border Investigation

This directory is designed to be the starting point for your international evidence-gathering strategy. Confirming the existence of Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties is the critical first step that defines the legal pathway ahead.

Always remember that while this resource provides a helpful overview, the ultimate authority on any treaty’s status and interpretation rests with the Central Authorities of the nations involved. Diligent verification is the hallmark of effective international legal practice.

For a detailed guide on how to use Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties; once you’ve confirmed its existence, read our article on How to Request Mutual Legal Assistance: A Step-by-Step Guide for Lawyers. To understand the broader context, start with our guide on What is Mutual Legal Assistance? The 2025 Complete Guide.