The Saeima has adopted and the President promulgated the following laws: the European Convention on information on foreign law and its additional protocol, article 1. 7 June 1968 European Convention on information on foreign law (hereinafter referred to as the Convention) and its 15 March 1978 additional Protocol (hereinafter referred to as the Optional Protocol) with this law is adopted and approved. 2. article. In accordance with article 2 of the Convention, the first paragraph, provide that the Convention required for the execution of the receiving agencies in Latvia is the Ministry of Justice. 3. article. In accordance with article 2 of the Convention, the second part of the Convention that to complete nosūtītājaģentūr in the Republic of Latvia is the Ministry of Justice and the Prosecutor General's Office. 4. article. (1) requests for information provided for in article 1 of the Convention, to be submitted to the Ministry of Justice. Such requests may be submitted to the Court, including the Constitutional Court. The Ministry of Justice, if necessary, may accept these requests from the other institutions, which, in accordance with the laws and regulations is the settlement of disputes in civil and commercial cases.
(2) requests for information provided for in article 1 of the additional protocol, during the pre-trial investigation stage of criminal proceedings to be submitted to the General Prosecutor's Office, but the hearing stage of criminal proceedings, the Ministry of Justice. Such requests during the pre-trial investigation stage of criminal proceedings is entitled to submit prosecution and cognitive authority but criminal trial stage — the courts, the Constitutional Court also. 5. article. The General Prosecutor's Office of the Ministry and within its competence, are responsible for the preparation of responses to in accordance with the Convention and the additional protocol of requests submitted to provide information on the laws of the Republic of Latvia and other laws and regulations. 6. article. The Ministry of Justice and the General Prosecutor's Office, if necessary, have the right to conclude with the competent foreign authorities an additional agreement on the Convention and the additional protocol to be used for providing the information and the provision of this information to cover. 7. article. In accordance with article 5 of the additional protocol of the Republic of Latvia is not bound by chapter II of the additional protocol. 8. article. The law shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. With the law put the Convention and the additional protocol in English and their translation into Latvian language. 9. article. The Convention shall enter into force under article 17 thereof within the time and in order. Additional Protocol, article 7 within the prescribed time and manner, and shall notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Gazette "journal". The Parliament adopted the law of 1998 on 5 February. The President g. Ulmanis in Riga 1998 20 February, the European Convention on Information on Foreign Law preamble the member States of the Council of Europe, Considering the signator to heret, that the aim of the Council of Europe is the achievement of greater unity between its members; Convinced that the creation of a system of international mutual assistance in order to facilitat the task of judicial authorities in obtaining information on foreign law, will contribute to the attainmen of this aim, have agreed as follows: article 1-scope of the Convention 1) the Contracting Parties to supply one anothers undertak, in accordanc with the provision of the present Convention , with information on their law and procedure in civil and commercial fields as well as on their judicial organisation. 2) However, two or more Contracting Parties may decide to extend as between themselves the scope of the present Convention to fields other than those mentioned in the preceding paragraph. The text of such agreements shall be communicated to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Article 2-National # 411 bodies 1) In order to carry out the provision of the present Convention each Contracting Party shall set up a single body or appoin (hereinafter referred to as the "receiving agency"): a) to receive requests for the information referred to in article 1, paragraph 1, of the present Convention from another Contracting Party; (b)) to take action on these requests in accordanc with article 6. The receiving agency may be either a ministerial department or other State body. 2 Each Contracting Party) may set up or appoin one or more bodies (hereinafter referred to as "transmitting agency") to receive requests for information from its judicial authorities and to transmit them to the competent foreign receiving agency a. The receiving agency may be appointed as a transmitting agency. 3 Each Contracting Party shall communicate) to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe the name and address of its receiving agency and, where appropriate, of its transmitting agency or agencies. Article 3: authorities entitled to make a request for information) A request for information 1 shall always emanat from a judicial authority, even when it has not been drawn up by that authority. The request may be made only where proceedings have actually been instituted. 2 Any Contracting Party may,) if it has not set up or appointed a transmitting agency, indicates, by a declaration addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, which of its authorities it will be a judicial authority de within the meaning of the preceding paragraph. 3) two or more Contracting Parties may decide to extend as between themselves the present Convention to requests from authorities other than judicial authorities. The text of such agreements shall be communicated to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Article 4: the contents of a request for information request for information 1) shall state (A) the judicial authority from which it's as well as emanat the nature of the case. It shall specify as exactly as possible the questions on which information concerning the law of the requested State is desired, and where there is more than one legal system in the requested State, the system of the law on which information is requested. 2) the request shall also state the facts both for its proper cessary not understanding and for the formulation of an exact and precise reply. COP out of documents may be attached where it does not clarify the cessary scope of the request. 3) the request may include questions in fields other than those referred to in article 1, paragraph 1, where they relate to the principal questions specified in the request. 4) where a request is not drawn up by a judicial authority, it shall be accompanied by the decision of that authority authorising it. Article 5: Transmission of a request for information, A request for information shall be transmitted directly to the receiving agency of the requested State by a transmitting agency or, in the absence of such an agency, by the judicial authority from which it emanat. Article 6 — authorities empowered to reply 1) the receiving agency, which has received a request for information may either draw up the reply itself or transmit the request to another State or official body to draw up the reply. 2) the receiving agency may, in appropriate cases or for reasons of administrative organisation, transmit the request to a private body or qualified lawyer to draw up a the the reply. 3) where the application of the preceding paragraph is likely to the Costa, the involv receiving agency shall, before making the transmission referred to in the said paragraph, indicates to the authority from which the request emanated the private body or lawyer to whom the request will be transmitted, inform the said authority as accurately as possible of the cost, and the probabl request its consent. Article 7: the content of the reply the object of the reply shall be to give information in an objective and impartial manner on the law of the requested State to the judicial authority from which the request emanated. The reply shall contain, as appropriate, relevant legal texts and relevant judicial decision. It shall be accompanied, to the exten the cessary for the deemed not proper information of the requesting authority, by any addition of documents, such as extract from the doctrinal works and travaux préparatoir. It may also be accompanied by explanatory commentar. Article 8 — effects of the reply the information given in the reply shall not bind the judicial authority from which the request emanated. Article 9 — Communication of the reply the reply shall be addressed by the receiving agency to the transmitting agency, if the request had been transmitted by this agency, or to the judicial authority, if the request was sent directly by the latter. Article 10 — Duty to reply 1) the receiving agency to whom a request for information has been sent shall, subject to the provision of article 11, take action on the request in accordanc with article 6.2) where the reply is not drawn up by the receiving agency, the latter shall be bound to ensur that a reply is sent subject to the conditions specified in article 12 article 11 — Exception to the obligation to reply the requested State may refus to take action on the request for information if it is affected by the interests of the case giving rise to the request or if it consider that the reply might prejudice its sovereignty or security. Article 12 — time-limit for the reply the reply to a request for information shall be furnished as rapidly as possible. However, if the preparation of the reply requires a long time, the receiving agency shall so inform the requesting foreign authority and shall, if possible, indicates at the same time the data on which probabl the reply will be communicated. Article 13 — Additional information 1) the receiving agency, as well as the body or the person whom it has instructed to reply, in accordanc with article 6, may request the authority from which the request to provide emanat any additional information It does not draw up the cessary deemas the reply. 2) the request for additional information shall be transmitted by the receiving agency in the same way as is provided by article 9 for the communication of the reply. Article 14 — Language 1) the request for information and shall be of the annexe in the language or in one of the official languages of the requested State or be accompanied by a translation into that language. The reply shall be in the language of the requested State. 2) However, two or more Contracting Parties may decide it, as between themselves derogat, from the provision of the preceding paragraph. Article 15 — Costa 1) the reply shall not entail payment of any charges or expense except to those referred by it in the article 6, paragraph 3, which shall be borne by the State from which the request emanat. 2) However, two or more Contracting Parties may decide it, as between themselves derogat, from the provision of the preceding paragraph. Article 16 — Federal States In Federal States, the function of the receiving agency other than those exercised under article 2, paragraph 1 (a) may, for constitutional reasons, be conferred on other State bodies. Article 17 – Entry into force of the Convention 1 this Convention shall be open) to signature by the member States of the Council of Europe. It shall be subject to ratification or acceptance. The instrument of ratification or acceptance shall be deposited with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. 2 this Convention shall enter) into force three months after the date of the deposit of the third instrument of ratification or acceptance. 3) In respect of a signatory State ratifying or accepting subsequently, the Convention shall come into force three months after the date of the deposit of its instrument of ratification or acceptance. Article 18: the Accession of a State not a member of the Council of Europe 1) After the entry into force of this Convention, the Committee of Minister of the Council of Europe may invite any non-member State to accede theret. 2 Such accession shall be effected by) depositing with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe an instrument of accession which shall take effect three months after the date of its deposit. Article 19: the Territorial scope of the Convention Any Contracting Party may, 1) at the time of signature or when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance or accession, specify the territory or territories to which this Convention shall apply. 2 Any Contracting Party may, when) depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance or accession or at any later date, by declaration addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, extend this Convention to any other territory or territories specified in the declaration and for whose international relations it is responsible or on whose behalf it is authorised to give undertaking. 3) Any declaration made in pursuanc of the preceding paragraph may, in respect of any territory mentioned in such declaration, be withdrawn according to the procedure let down in article 20 of this Convention. Article 20: the Duration of the Convention and denunciation 1 this Convention shall remain) in force indefinitely. 2 Any Contracting Party may, in a) so far as it is concerned, denounc this Convention by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. 3 Such denunciation shall take effect) in the six months after the date of receipt by the Secretary General of such notification. Article 21: the Function of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall notify the member States of the Council and any State which has acceded to this Convention of: a any signature;) b any deposit of an instrument) of ratification, acceptance or accession; (c) any date of entry) into force of this Convention in accordanc with article 17 thereof; (d) any declaration received in pursuanc) of the provision of paragraph 2 of article 1, paragraph 3 of article 2, paragraph 2 of article 3 and paragraphs 2 and 3 of article 19; (e) notifications received in pursuanc) any of the provision of article 20 and the date on which denunciation takes effect. In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorised, have signed it there in this Convention. Done at London, this 7th June 1968, in French and English, both texts being equally authoritativ, in a single copy which shall remain deposited in the archives of the Council of Europe. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall transmit certified cop to it each of the signatory and acceding States.

Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Information on Foreign Law the member States of the Council of Europe, signatory of the heret, Having regards to the provision of the European Convention on Information on Foreign Law, opened for signature in London on 7 June 1968 (hereinafter referred to as the "Convention"); Considering that it is desirabl to extend the system of international mutual assistance established by that Convention in the field of criminal law and procedure, in a framework open to all multilaterals the Contracting Parties to the Convention; Considering that, with a view to eliminating the legal proceedings removes economic and permitting persons in an economically weak position more easily to exercise their rights in the member States, it is also to extend the desirabl system established by the Convention to the field of legal aid and advice in civil and commercial matters; Noting that article 1, paragraph 2, of the Convention provides that two or more Contracting Parties may decide to extend as between themselves the scope of the Convention to fields other than those referred to in the Convention; Noting that article 3, paragraph 3, of the Convention provides that two or more Contracting Parties may decide to extend as between themselves the Convention to requests from authorities other than judicial authorities, have agreed as follows: Chapter I article 1 the Contracting Parties to supply one anothers undertak, in accordanc with the provision of the Convention, with information on their substantive and procedural law and judicial organisation in the criminal field , including prosecuting authorities, as well as on the law concerning the enforcement of penal measure. This undertaking applies to all proceedings in respect of the prosecution of the offenc which, at the time of the request for information, falls within the jurisdiction of the judicial authorities of the requesting Party. Article 2 (A) A request for information on questions in the fields referred to in article 1 may: (a) not only from a emanat) Court, but from any judicial authority having jurisdiction to the prosecut offenc or execute the line that have been imposed with final and binding effect; and (b)) be made not only where proceedings have actually been instituted, but also when the institution of proceedings is envisaged. Chapter II article 3 Within the framework of the undertaking led in article 1, paragraph 1 of the Convention, the Contracting Parties agree that requests for information may: (a)) not only from a judicial emanat authority but also from any authority or person acting within official systems of legal aid or legal advice on behalf of persons in an economically weak position; and (b)) be made not only where proceedings have actually been instituted but also when the institution of proceedings is envisaged. Article 4 1) Each Contracting Party which has not set up or appointed one or more bodies to act as a transmitting agency as provided for in article 2, paragraph 2 of the Convention, shall set up such an agency or to appoin or agencies for the purpose of transmitting any request for information in accordanc with article 3 of this Protocol to the competent foreign receiving agency a. 2 Each Contracting Party shall communicate) to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe the name and address of the transmitting agency or agencies set up or appointed in accordanc with the preceding paragraph. Chapter III article 5 1) Any State may, at the time of signature or when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, declare that it will only be bound by one or the other of the Chapter I and II of this Protocol. 2) Any State having made such a declaration may, at any subsequent time, declare by a notification addressed to the mean of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe that it will be bound by the provision of both Chapter I and II. Such notification shall take effect from the date of its reception. 3 Any Contracting Party which is bound) by the provision of both Chapter I and II may at any time declare by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe that it will only be bound by one or the other of the Chapter I and II. Such notification shall take effect six months after the date of the receipt of such notification. 4) the provision of Chapter I or II, as the case may be, shall be applicable only between the Contracting Parties which are bound by the Chapter in question. Article 6 1 shall be open) this Protocol to signature by the member States of the Council of Europe, signatory to the Convention, who may become parties to it either by: a signature without reservation) in respect of ratification, acceptance or approval; (b) signature with reservation in respect) of ratification, acceptance or approval, followed by ratification, acceptance or approval. 2 Instruments of ratification), acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. 3) A member State of the Council of Europe may not sign this Protocol without reservation in respect of ratification, acceptance or approval, nor a ratify.â, accept or approve it, unless it has, simultaneously or previously, ratified or accepted the Convention. Article 7 1) this Protocol shall enter into force three months after the date on which three member States of the Council of Europe shall have become parties to the Protocol in accordanc with the provision of article 6.2) In the case of any member State which shall subsequently sign the Protocol without reservation in respect of ratification, acceptance or approval or which shall ratify.â, accept or approve it, the Protocol shall enter into force three months after the date of such signature or after the date of deposit of the instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval. Article 8 1) After the entry into force of this Protocol, any State which has acceded to or has been invited to accede to the Convention, may be invited, by the Committee of Minister to accede also to this Protocol. 2 Such accession shall be effected by) depositing with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe an instrument of accession which shall take effect three months after the date of its deposit. Article 9 1) Any State may, at the time of signature or when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, specify the territory or territories to which this Protocol shall apply. 2) Any State may, when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession or at any later date, by declaration addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, extend this Protocol to any other territory or territories specified in the declaration and for those international relations it is responsible or on whose behalf it is authorised to give undertaking. 3) Any declaration made in pursuanc of the preceding paragraph may, in respect of any territory mentioned in such declaration, be withdrawn by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Such withdrawals shall take effect six months after the date of receipt by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe of the notification. Article 10 1) Any Contracting Party may, in so far as it is concerned, denounc this Protocol by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. 2 Such denunciation shall take effect) in the six months after the date of receipt by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe of such notification. 3) Denunciation of the Convention shall automatically entail denunciation of this Protocol. Article 11 the Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall notify the member States of the Council and any State which has acceded to the Convention of: a any signature without reservation) in respect of ratification, acceptance or approval; b any signature with reservation in) in respect of ratification, acceptance or approval; (c) the deposit of an) any instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession; d any date of entry) into force of this Protocol in accordanc with article 7 thereof; (e) notifications received in pursuanc) any of the provision of article 4; (f) any declaration or notification received in) pursuanc of the provision of article 5; (g) any declaration received in pursuanc) of the provision of article 9 and any withdrawals of any such declaration; (h) any notification received in pursuanc) of the provision of article 10 and the date on which denunciation takes effect. In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorised, have signed theret this Protocol. Done at Strasbourg, this 15th day of March 1978, in English and in French, both texts being equally authoritativ, in a single copy which shall remain deposited in the archives of the Council of Europe. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall transmit certified cop to it each of the signatory and acceding States.

European Convention on information on foreign law, Council of Europe Member States which have signed this Convention, considering that the aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve greater unity among its Member States, convinced as an international system of mutual assistance, in order to facilitate the access of foreign judicial authority law, will contribute to this goal, have agreed to: 1. Article 1 scope of the Convention. the Contracting Parties undertake to provide each other, in accordance with the provisions of this Convention, information on the law and the process of civil and commercial areas as well as on their judicial organisation. 2. However, two or more Contracting Parties may decide to extend their sphere of application of the Convention to include other areas, not mentioned in the previous paragraph. The text must be submitted to the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe. 2. Article 1 of the national communication authority. To comply with the provisions of this Convention, each Contracting Party must establish or designate a single authority (hereinafter referred to as "receiving agencies") that: (a) receive from other Contracting Parties requests for information in accordance with this Convention, article 1, paragraph 1; (b) execute those requests in accordance with article 6. Receiving agencies may be either a Department of the Ministry or any other national authority. 2. each Contracting Party may establish or designate one or more authorities (hereinafter referred to as "nosūtītājaģentūr"), which will receive requests for information from their national judicial authorities and will send them to the competent foreign receiving agencies. The receiving agencies may also appoint about nosūtītājaģentūr. 3. each Contracting Party shall inform the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe on the receiving agencies and, if necessary, nosūtītājaģentūr, or the name and address of the Agency. Article 3 authorities that have the right to request information 1. A request for information may be submitted only by the judicial authorities, even if it is not itself it written. The request may be submitted only if is actually initiated legal proceedings. 2. any Contracting Party if it has not been established or appointed by the nosūtītājaģentūr, you can submit a European Declaration addressed to the Secretary General of the Council, specify which of its institutions it considers the institutions within the meaning of the previous paragraph. 3. two or more Contracting Parties may agree to extend between the application of this Convention to requests from the other institutions, which is not a judicial institution. The text must be submitted to the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe. Article 4 request for information content 1. The request for information must specify the judicial authority, which shall forward it, as well as the nature of the case. It is possible to explicitly specify the issues where you need information about the request, the recipient country and its laws, the legal system, for which the information is needed, if there is more than one beneficiary country the legal system. 2. The request must also indicate the facts necessary for the proper understanding of both it and the direct and accurate answers to the formulation. If it is necessary to specify the amount of the request, a copy of the document can be added. 3. the request may include issues in areas other than those referred to in article 1, paragraph 1, if they are related to the major issues identified in the request. 4. If the request is not a judicial institution, by the institution must be accompanied by the following decision on consent to the request. Article 5 request the dispatch of information to Nosūtītājģentūr or, if one has not been created, the institution in which the request for information, it should be sent directly to the receiving agencies, at the request of the beneficiary country. Article 6 authorities empowered to reply 1. Receiving agencies which has received a request for information, you can either prepare a response, or send a request to another government institution or an official response. 2. Receiving agencies may need administrative or organisational reasons, send a request to prepare a response to the private body or qualified lawyer. 3. If the application of the provisions of the preceding paragraph may result in expenditure before receiving agencies referred to in the preceding paragraph is made, the shipment must notify the institution which has submitted a request for a private lawyer or that the request will be released, indicating as precisely as possible the potential costs, and ask for its agreement. Article 7 answers content answers the purpose is to provide judicial institution that is sending the request, objective and true information on the law of the beneficiary country on request. The answer must contain, if necessary, the relevant legislation and judicial decisions. It is necessary to add any additional documents that are considered necessary for the proper functioning of institutions requesting information such as extracts from the doctrinal works and travaux préparatoir. It can also add explanatory comments. Article 8 effect of response response is not binding on the Court of the institution, which has submitted the request. Article 9 the receiving agencies Responsible should send the answer to nosūtītājaģentūr, if the request is sent by the Agency, or the institution of the Court, if it had submitted a request to the right. Article 10 obligation to reply 1. Receiving agencies that has been sent to the request for information, a request shall be executed in accordance with article 6, while respecting the provisions of article 11. 2. If the response is finished receiving agencies, it must provide a reply in accordance with the conditions provided for in article 12. Article 11 exceptions to the obligation to provide, at the request of the beneficiary countries the answer may refuse to execute a request for information if the thing, which appealed to its interests or hurt if it considers that a reply may jeopardise its sovereignty or security. Article 12 the response deadline for the response to the request for information is to be provided as quickly as possible. However, if presenting the response requires more time, the receiving agencies must inform the requesting foreign authority and, if possible, at the same time be informed of the possible date on which the response will be sent. 13. Article 1 of the additional information, as well as receiving agencies the authority or person who is authorized by it to respond in accordance with the provisions of article 6, may ask the institution which has submitted the request, to provide it with any additional information it considers necessary for the preparation of the response. 2. Receiving agencies should send the request to provide additional information in the same order that is defined in article 9 of the reply. Article 14 languages 1. to provide information and its annexes must be official, at the request of the beneficiary country or in one of the official languages, or else it must be accompanied by a translation into one of these languages. The answer must be in the language of the recipient country on request. 2. However, two or more Contracting Parties may agree between themselves and other provisions that differ from those referred to in the preceding paragraph. Article 15 expenditure 1. Answer is not associated with any fees or costs, except those referred to in article 6 and in paragraph 3 of which are to be borne by the country which has submitted the request. 2. However, two or more Contracting Parties may agree between themselves and other provisions that differ from those referred to in the preceding paragraph. Article 16 federal States federal States for constitutional reasons, can pass to other public authorities, the functions of the receiving agencies provided for in article 2 (a) above. Article 17 entry into force of the Convention 1 this Convention shall be open for signature the Member States of the Council of Europe. It is necessary to ratify or accept. The instrument of ratification or acceptance shall be submitted to the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe. 2. This Convention shall enter into force three months after submission of the third instrument of ratification or acceptance. 3. For a country that signed the Convention, but ratify or adopt it later, this Convention shall enter into force three months after it filed its instrument of ratification or deposited the instrument of acceptance. Article 18 States that are not Member States of the Council of Europe, accession 1. After this Convention has entered into force, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe may invite any State to join, which is not a Member State of the Council of Europe. 2. such accession shall be effected by giving the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe an instrument of accession which shall take effect three months after its submission. Article 19 territorial scope of the Convention 1. Any Contracting Party when signing this Convention or depositing its instrument of ratification be submitted, acceptance of accession, may specify the territory or territories to which the Convention will apply. 2. each Contracting Party, be submitted to the Convention's ratification, acceptance or accession, as well as any time later may submit to the European Council a declaration addressed to the Secretary General, in which it noted that expanding the scope of this Convention to another territory or territories specified in the Declaration and for whose international relations that Contracting Party is responsible or on whose behalf it is authorized to enter into commitments. 3. any declaration made under the preceding paragraph may, in respect of any territory mentioned in such declaration, be withdrawn by article 20 of the Convention. Article 20 duration and denunciation of the Convention 1 this Convention is concluded for an indefinite period. 2. Any Contracting Party may denounce this Convention in so far as it refers to it, by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. 3. Such denunciation shall take effect six months after receipt of such notification by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Article 21 functions by the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe's Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall inform the Member States of the Council of Europe and all parties to this Convention, the States of: (a) any signature; (b) in each case where storage is provided in the instrument of ratification, acceptance or accession; (c) every entry into force of this Convention, in accordance with its article 17; (d) any declaration received in accordance with article 1, paragraph 2, article 2, paragraph 3, article 3, paragraph 2 and article 19 point 2 and 3 of the rules; (e) any notification received in accordance with the provisions of article 20 and the date when the denunciation takes effect. Above, the Convention has been signed by the duly authorized persons. Made in London, 7 June 1968 in French and English languages, both texts being equally authentic, in a single copy which shall be deposited in the archives of the Council of Europe. The Secretary-General shall send certified copies to the Governments of all States which have signed this Convention or acceded thereto.

Additional Protocol to the European Convention on information on foreign law in the Member States of the Council of Europe which have signed the Protocol, noting the European Convention on information on foreign law, which was opened for signature in London, 7 June 1968 (hereinafter ' the Convention '); considering that it is desirable to extend the Convention established the international mutual assistance in criminal and criminal procedure system, based on that system of multilateralism and the availability of all the Contracting Parties to the Convention, believing that to avoid the existing economic hurdles for initiating the legal process and facilitate people in severe economic situation, the realization of the rights in the Member States, it is also desirable to extend the established system of the Convention, including legal aid and advice in civil and commercial matters , noting that article 1 of the Convention, paragraph 2 provides that two or more of the Contracting Parties may extend their sphere of application of the Convention to include areas not covered in the Convention, noting that article 3 of the Convention, paragraph 3 provides that two or more of the Contracting Parties may extend their sphere of application of the Convention, including at the request of the authorities, which is not a judicial institutions, have agreed as follows : Chapter I article 1 the Contracting Parties undertake to provide each other, in accordance with the provisions of the Convention, information on their substantive and procedural law, as well as for the Organization of the judiciary, including the criminal prosecution authorities as well as the law applicable to the enforcement of criminal sanctions. This commitment applies to any proceedings in respect of offences for which prosecution request to provide information at the time of departure is situated, the parties to the Court's jurisdiction. Article 2 to requests for information on issues in the areas referred to in article 1 may be submitted: (a) not just the Court, but also any judicial body which has the right to prosecute for offences or to execute the final and binding judgment given; (b) not only at the time when the proceedings are actually commenced but also when the proceedings are anticipated. Chapter II article 3 of the Convention, article 1 provided for in paragraph 1 of the commitments within the Contracting Parties agree that requests for information may be submitted: (a) not only the Court but also of the institution, any institution or person who, acting in the official legal aid or legal advice within the system, pushed the person names in hard economic situation. (b) not only at the time when the proceedings are actually commenced but also when the proceedings are anticipated. 1. Article 4 each Contracting Party which is not established or appointed by one or more authorities which act as nosūtītājaģentūr in accordance with article 2 of the Convention, paragraph 2 undertake to establish or appoint such agency or agencies to send any request for information to the competent foreign receiving agencies concerned in accordance with article 3 of this Protocol. 2. Each Contracting Party shall undertake to inform the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe in accordance with the preceding paragraph, or create nosūtītājaģentūr appointed or agency name and address. Chapter III article 5 1 any State signing this Protocol or submitting its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, declare that it is bound only by the Protocol chapter I or chapter II only. 2. any State which made such a declaration may at any time afterwards declare that it will be binding on both chapter I and chapter II rules, submit the notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, which shall enter into force on the date of receipt. 3. any Contracting Party that is bound by the chapter I and chapter II may at any time declare that it will be bound by the Protocol only, or only chapter I Chapter II shall be submitted to the notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Such notification shall take effect six months after receiving it. 4. Chapter I or, perhaps, the provisions of chapter II shall be applied only between the Contracting Parties which are bound by the relevant provisions of chapter. 6. Article 1 this Protocol may sign the Convention signed in Member States of the Council of Europe, who may become parties to the Protocol: (a) signature without submitting an instrument of ratification, acceptance or recognition; (b) by signing and submitting a reservation of ratification, acceptance or recognition of need, followed by ratification, acceptance or recognition. 2. The instruments of ratification, acceptance or recognition of documents submitted to the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe. 3. the Member State of the Council of Europe may not sign this Protocol without reservation as submitted, the instruments of ratification, acceptance or recognition of the need for, nor ratify, accept or recognize it if it simultaneously or previously not ratified or accepted the Convention. 7. Article 1 this Protocol shall enter into force three months after the three Council of Europe Member States have become parties to the Protocol in accordance with the provisions of article 6. 2. In respect of any Member State who shall subsequently sign this Protocol without submitting notice of deposit of instruments of ratification, acceptance or recognition of the need to ratify it, or accept or admit it, the Protocol shall enter into force three months after the date of such signature or the date of depositing the instruments of ratification, acceptance or recognition of the document. 8. Article 1. After this Protocol has entered into force, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe may invite to accede to any State which has acceded to or has been invited to accede to the Convention. 2. such accession shall be effected by giving the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe an instrument of accession which shall take effect three months after its submission. 1. Article 9 any State signing this Protocol or under its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, may specify the territory or territories to which this Protocol will apply. 2. Any State submitting a Protocol instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, as well as any time later may submit to the European Council a declaration addressed to the Secretary General, in which it noted that expanding the scope of application of this Protocol to another territory or territories specified in the Declaration and for whose international relations it is responsible or on whose behalf it is authorized to enter into commitments. 3. any declaration made under the preceding paragraph may, in respect of any territory mentioned in such declaration, be withdrawn by means of a notification adressed to the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe. Such withdrawal shall take effect six months after the notification is received by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. 10. Article 1. Any Contracting State may denounce this Protocol in so far as it refers to it, by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. 2. Such denunciation shall take effect six months after the notification is received by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. 3. denunciation of the Convention automatically implies denunciation of this Protocol. Article 11 the Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall inform the Member States of the Council and all States parties to the Convention of: (a) each signature of the event, do not submit a reservation of ratification, acceptance or recognition; (b) each signature event by submitting a reservation of ratification, acceptance or recognition; (c) of the atr when k storage is presented to the instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession; (d) the entry into force of this Protocol in accordance with the appropriate article 7; (e) any notification received in accordance with the provisions of article 4; (f) any declaration or notification received in accordance with the provisions of article 5; (g) any declaration received in accordance with the provisions of article 9 and following the Declaration of cancellation; (h) any notification received in accordance with the provisions of article 10 and the date on which the denunciation takes effect. Above, the Protocol has been signed by the duly authorized it. Drawn up in Strasbourg on 15 March 1978 in the English and French languages, both texts being equally authentic, in a single copy which shall be deposited in the archives of the Council of Europe. The Secretary-General shall send certified true copies to all the States which have signed this Protocol or acceded thereto.