Chapter 3
Specific provisions on the provision of assistance

Section 20
Taking of evidence and obtaining statements of persons in a court of law

Where the request for assistance made by an authority of a foreign State relates to the hearing of witnesses or experts, the production of documents and records, the arrangement of inspections or the production of any other materials to be used as evidence, or the hearing of the parties, and the execution of the request falls within the functions of the judiciary, the evidence shall be taken in the court of first instance where:

1) criminal proceedings are pending in a court of the requesting foreign State; or

2) it has been requested that the evidence be taken in a court.
The evidence shall be taken in the court of first instance of the district where the person to be examined is domiciled or habitually resident, or where the evidence can otherwise be taken in an appropriate way. A public prosecutor shall be present at the hearing, where deemed necessary by the court. The taking of evidence shall, where applicable, be governed by the Finnish law on proceedings in criminal matters.

Chapter 3
Specific provisions on the provision of assistance

Section 24
Communication of information from judicial records

On the request of an authority of a foreign State information from judicial records may be communicated in criminal matters to the requesting authority in accordance with this Act, under the same conditions as to Finnish authorities. The information from judicial records shall be provided by the Ministry of Justice.