Part 1

Mutual assistance in criminal matters
Chapter 5

Transfer of prisoners

Transfer of EU etc. prisoner to assist UK investigation
48
1
The Secretary of State may pursuant to an agreement with the competent authority of a participating country issue a warrant providing for any person to whom this section applies (“the overseas prisoner”) to be transferred to the United Kingdom for the purpose of assisting in the investigation of an offence.
The offence must be one which was or may have been committed in the participating country.
2
This section applies to a person who is detained in custody in a participating country—
a
by virtue of a sentence or order of a court exercising criminal jurisdiction there, or
b
in consequence of —
a
having been transferred there, or responsibility for his detention and release having been transferred there, from the United Kingdom under the Repatriation of Prisoners Act 1984;
b
having been transferred there, or responsibility for his detention and release having been transferred there, under any similar provision or arrangement from any other country or territory.
3
But, in relation to transfer to Scotland—
a
this section applies to any person who is detained in custody in a participating country,
b
the reference in subsection (1) to the Secretary of State is to be read as a reference to the Scottish Ministers.
4
A warrant may be issued in respect of an overseas prisoner under subsection (1) only if the competent authority provides a written statement made by the prisoner consenting to his being transferred for the purpose mentioned in that subsection.
5
Such consent cannot be withdrawn after the issue of the warrant.
6
A warrant under this section authorises—
a
the bringing of the prisoner to the United Kingdom,
b
the taking of the prisoner to, and his detention in custody at, any place or places in the United Kingdom specified in the warrant,
c
the returning of the prisoner to the country from which he has come.
7
Subsections (4) to (8) of section 5 of the 1990 Act have effect in relation to a warrant issued under this section as they have effect in relation to a warrant issued under that section.
8
A person is not subject to the Immigration Act 1971 (c. 77) in respect of his entry into or presence in the United Kingdom pursuant to a warrant under this section; but if the warrant ceases to have effect while he is still in the United Kingdom—
a
he is to be treated for the purposes of that Act as if he has then illegally entered the United Kingdom, and
b
the provisions of Schedule 2 to that Act have effect accordingly except that paragraph 20(1) (liability of carrier for expenses of custody etc. of illegal entrant) does not have effect in relation to directions for his removal given by virtue of this subsection.
S. 48 in force at 26.4.2004 by S.I. 2004/786, art. 3
Words in s. 48(2)(b) substituted (14.7.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), s. 153(7), Sch. 26 para. 52; S.I. 2008/1586, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 48(q)