Production of evidence - authority - ICC proceedings

Portuguese Republic

Law No. 144/99, of 31 August, on International Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters

Part I
General

CHAPTER II
General rules of procedure


Article 28
Handing over of property or money

1. Where the request for co-operation concerns, exclusively or not, the handing over of property or money, these may be handed over only if they are not required for the purpose of producing evidence in connection with a criminal offence over which the Portuguese authorities have jurisdiction.

2. Handing over may be delayed; property and money may be handed over on condition that they are returned.

3. Any rights which bona fide third parties or legitimate owners or possessors may have over the property shall be preserved; any rights of the State that might result from the property being declared lost in its favour shall also be preserved.

4. If there is opposition to the handing over, property or money shall be handed over only subsequent to a final decision of the competent authority.

5. Where extradition is requested, the handing over as mentioned in paragraph 1 above may be executed even where extradition does not take place, notable because of the escape or death of the person sought.

Part II
Extradition

CHAPTER I
Extradition from Portugal

Section II
Extradition procedure


Article 55
Objections of the person claimed

5. The ways and means of producing evidence that were indicated by the parties may, not later than the day before their being produced, be replaced by other ways and means, if such replacement does not entail any adjournment.

Part II
Extradition

CHAPTER I
Extradition from Portugal

Section II
Extradition procedure


Article 55
Objections of the person claimed

4. If property is seized, both the person claimed and the public prosecutor may put forward their views on the matter.

5. The ways and means of producing evidence that were indicated by the parties may, not later than the day before their being produced, be replaced by other ways and means, if such replacement does not entail any adjournment.


Article 56
Producing of evidence

1. Any steps requested or taken at the initiative of the judge, in particular steps taken in order to decide on the property seized, must be done within 15 days, in the presence of the person concerned, his counsel, an interpreter if necessary and the public prosecutor.

2. After the production of evidence, the public prosecutor and the counsel may each hold the file for a period of no longer than five days. They may produce submissions.

Part VI
Mutual legal assistance in criminal matters

CHAPTER I
Provisions common to different forms of assistance


Article 145
Principle and scope

2. Assistance shall include in particular the following:

b) the procuring of evidence;

Part I
General

CHAPTER II
General rules of procedure

Article 28
Handing over of property or money

1. Where the request for co-operation concerns, exclusively or not, the handing over of property or money, these may be handed over only if they are not required for the purpose of producing evidence in connection with a criminal offence over which the Portuguese authorities have jurisdiction.

2. Handing over may be delayed; property and money may be handed over on condition that they are returned.

3. Any rights which bona fide third parties or legitimate owners or possessors may have over the property shall be preserved; any rights of the State that might result from the property being declared lost in its favour shall also be preserved.

4. If there is opposition to the handing over, property or money shall be handed over only subsequent to a final decision of the competent authority.

5. Where extradition is requested, the handing over as mentioned in paragraph 1 above may be executed even where extradition does not take place, notable because of the escape or death of the person sought.

Part II
Extradition

CHAPTER I
Extradition from Portugal

Section II
Extradition procedure

Article 55
Objections of the person claimed

5. The ways and means of producing evidence that were indicated by the parties may, not later than the day before their being produced, be replaced by other ways and means, if such replacement does not entail any adjournment.

Part II
Extradition

CHAPTER I
Extradition from Portugal

Section II
Extradition procedure

Article 55
Objections of the person claimed

4. If property is seized, both the person claimed and the public prosecutor may put forward their views on the matter.

5. The ways and means of producing evidence that were indicated by the parties may, not later than the day before their being produced, be replaced by other ways and means, if such replacement does not entail any adjournment.

Article 56
Producing of evidence

1. Any steps requested or taken at the initiative of the judge, in particular steps taken in order to decide on the property seized, must be done within 15 days, in the presence of the person concerned, his counsel, an interpreter if necessary and the public prosecutor.

2. After the production of evidence, the public prosecutor and the counsel may each hold the file for a period of no longer than five days. They may produce submissions.

Part VI
Mutual legal assistance in criminal matters

CHAPTER I
Provisions common to different forms of assistance

Article 145
Principle and scope

2. Assistance shall include in particular the following :

b) the procuring of evidence ;

Rome Statute

Article 93 Other forms of cooperation

1. States Parties shall, in accordance with the provisions of this Part and under procedures of national law, comply with requests by the Court to provide the following assistance in relation to investigations or prosecutions:

(b) The taking of evidence, including testimony under oath, and the production of evidence, including expert opinions and reports necessary to the Court;

Article 99 Execution of requests under articles 93 and 96

2. In the case of an urgent request, the documents or evidence produced in response shall, at the request of the Court, be sent urgently.