Assistance of States in the attendance and testimony of witnesses and production of documents

Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act

CHAPTER 11:24

MUTUAL ASSISTANCE IN CRIMINAL MATTERS ACT

PART V
CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AND INVESTIGATIONS

MUTUAL SERVICE OF PROCESS

33A. Service of overseas process in Trinidad and Tobago.

(1) This section shall apply where the Central Authority receives from the central authority of a Commonwealth country or such similar authority of a non-commonwealth country—

(a) a summons or other process requiring a person to appear as a defendant or attend as a witness in criminal proceedings in the Commonwealth or non-commonwealth country ; or
(b) a document issued by a Court exercising criminal jurisdiction in the Commonwealth or non-commonwealth country and recording a decision of the Court made in the exercise of that jurisdiction,
together with a request for that process or document to be served on a person in Trinidad and Tobago.

(2) The Central Authority shall cause the process or document to be served by post or, if the request is for personal service, direct the Commissioner of Police to cause it to be personally served on the person concerned.

(3) Service of a process or document under this section shall not impose any obligation on any person under the law of Trinidad and Tobago to comply with it.

(4) A process or document served under this section shall be accompanied by a notice—

(a) stating the effect of subsection (3);
(b) indicating that the person on whom it is to be served may seek legal advice as to the possible consequence if he fails to comply with the process under the law of the Commonwealth or non-commonwealth country where it was issued; and
(c) indicating that under that law he may not, as a witness, be accorded the same rights and privileges as would be accorded to him in criminal proceedings in Trinidad and Tobago.

(5) Where, under this section, the Commissioner of Police is directed to cause any process or document to be served, he shall use his best endeavours to have it served and immediately transmit to the Central Authority if the process or document is—

(a) served, an affidavit or other certificate of service, stating how and when it was served; or
(b) not served, an affidavit or other certificate of service, stating that fact and the reason.

Rome Statute

Article 64 Functions and powers of the Trial Chamber

6. In performing its functions prior to trial or during the course of a trial, the Trial Chamber may, as necessary:

(b) Require the attendance and testimony of witnesses and production of documents and other evidence by obtaining, if necessary, the assistance of States as provided in this Statute;