Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F1996B01853:body:0:p7
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F1996B01853
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 15495–18431

its sovereignty, security, ordre public, national interest or other essential interests.

 2. Where in conformity with this Treaty a request may be refused, the Requested Party shall, before notifying its refusal, consider whether assistance may be granted subject to such conditions as it deems necessary. If the Requesting Party accepts assistance subject to conditions, it shall comply with those conditions.

ARTICLE 17

CONTENTS OF REQUESTS

 1. Requests for assistance shall include the following information:
         (a) the authority on whose behalf the request is made;
         (b) the objects of, and reasons for, the request;
         (c) except in cases of request for service of documents, a summary description of the facts constituting the offence and a statement of the relevant law;
         (d) where possible the identity, location and nationality of any person concerned;
         (e) a description of the assistance sought including, where appropriate, details of the information or evidence sought, and in particular any documents, records or articles to be produced or any questions to be put to witnesses or to experts; and
         (f) details of any particular procedure that the Requesting Party wishes to be followed.

 2. Where appropriate the Requesting Party may indicate any time limit within which the assistance must be provided.

ARTICLE 18

CONFIDENTIALITY

 1. If so requested, each contracting Party shall endeavour, to the extent permitted by its law, to keep confidential requests for assistance and responses thereto.

 2. If, at the time of providing material in response to the request, the Requested Party so requests, the Requesting Party shall not use the information or evidence obtained, nor anything derived from either, for purposes other than those stated in the request without the prior consent of the Requested Party.

ARTICLE 19

LANGUAGES

Translation of requests and annexed documents shall not be required.

ARTICLE 20

RESPONSE TO REQUESTS

 1. If the Requested Party considers that the information contained in a request is not sufficient to enable the request to be dealt with in accordance with this Treaty, it may request additional information.

 2. The Central Office of the Requested Party shall, as soon as possible, inform the Requesting Party of any circumstances, when they become known to that Central Office, which are likely to cause a significant delay in responding to the request.

 3. The Central Office of the Requested Party shall as soon as possible inform the Requesting Party of any decision not to comply in whole or in part with a request for assistance and the reason for that decision.

ARTICLE 21

CERTIFICATION AND AUTHENTICATION

 1. Documents or materials supporting a request for assistance pursuant to Article 15 of this Treaty shall be authenticated in accordance with paragraph 3 of this Article.

 2. If requested by