PART 1INTRODUCTION

Purpose of this Order3

1

This Order has effect for the purpose of enabling the United Kingdom to co-operate with the Mechanism in the investigation and prosecution of persons accused of committing Mechanism crimes and the punishment of persons convicted of such crimes.

2

Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), this Order has effect—

a

to provide for the arrest and delivery to the Mechanism of persons accused or convicted of a Mechanism crime and for the arrest in cases of urgency of persons suspected of having committed a Mechanism crime;

b

to secure the attendance before the Mechanism of persons as witnesses or to assist in investigations;

c

to give effect to requests by the Mechanism for the discontinuance of certain proceedings in courts constituted under any enactment or rule of law applying in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland;

d

to provide the Mechanism with other forms of assistance in the investigation and prosecution of Mechanism crimes;

e

to enforce orders of the Mechanism for the preservation or restitution of property and to give effect to requests to determine the ownership of property; and

f

to make provision for the immunities and privileges of the Mechanism and persons connected with it.

3

Nothing in this Order prevents the provision of assistance to the Mechanism otherwise than under this Order.