Conference focuses on cross-border work
28 Jun 05
Criminal law reform meeting continues with day on international co-operation
International co-operation between criminal justice systems is today's focus for delegates at the International Society for the Reform of Criminal Law conference in Edinburgh.
The conference, which runs until Thursday, will compare the relationships between prosecution and police authorities and other criminal justice partners in different countries, and look at the way they work on a global scale. Matters affecting victims and witnesses from other countries, as well as suspects who cross borders, are on the agenda.
Judges, legislators, lawyers, academics and government officials from 40 countries around the world are meeting under the banner of ISRCL, a non-governmental association for work on the administration of criminal justice, both in individual jurisdictions and internationally.
Norman McFadyen, Scotland's Crown Agent, who is chairing a session on international co-operation, said:
"In today's world, when crime is international, our response to it must be international as well. In Crown Office we have an International Co-operation Unit, which is skilled and experienced in seeking and providing assistance in cases with an international dimension.
"Co-operation can be at an investigation stage, when prosecutors in Scotland are seeking evidence from another country, or it can involve witnesses from foreign countries travelling to Scotland to give evidence. It obviously works both ways, and Scottish authorities are always anxious to help their foreign counterparts in appropriate cases."