Chapter 2
Provision of assistance

Section 7
Form and content of requests

A request for assistance transmitted by an authority of a foreign State to a Finnish authority may be made in writing, as a recording or orally; it may also be transmitted in an electronic message. Where the service of summons, notice, decision or other document is requested, the request shall be accompanied or supplemented by the document to be served. Where the authenticity of the request or any accompanying document is doubtful the Ministry of Justice or the competent authority may request for the necessary confirmation in writing. The request and the accompanying documents are exempt from legalisation or any similar formality.
The request shall, to the extent necessary for the proper execution of the request, indicate:
1) the authority making the request and the court or other authority where the criminal matter on which the request is based is subject to proceedings or investigations;
2) the object of and reason for the request;
3) the necessary information available on the persons concerned;
4) a description of the offence on which the request is based and the applicable provisions of criminal law;
5) a brief summary of the criminal act and the related facts, except where the service of a document is requested;
6) a description of the evidence sought and the information on documents and evidence; as well as
7) allowances and expenses to which a witness or expert requested to appear before an authority of the requesting State is entitled.
The request may be executed although the requirements provided for in paragraph 1 or 2 are not fully met, where the defects do not prevent the execution of the request.