Legal Assistance Treaties (LATs)

Legal Assistance Treaties (LATs) are agreements between countries that facilitate the provision of legal support and cooperation. They enable governments to request and supply legal services—such as gathering evidence, serving documents, or providing legal advice—across borders. LATs help ensure legal processes are effectively managed when cases involve multiple jurisdictions, promoting efficiency, fairness, and international cooperation in legal matters like criminal investigations or civil proceedings. Essentially, they create a formal framework that simplifies cross-border legal assistance while respecting each country's sovereignty and legal systems.