Section 12: Contents of request for assistance.

(1) A request for assistance under this Act shall contain all appropriate information as specified in this section, that is to say-
(a) specify the nature of the assistance requested;
(b) indicate any limit within which compliance with the request is desired, stating the reasons therefor;
(c) specify the identity of the agency or authority initiating the request;
(d) specify the nature of the criminal matter concerned;
(e) specify whether or not criminal proceedings have been instituted; and
(f) where criminal proceedings have been instituted, disclose the following information, that is to say-
(i) the court exercising jurisdiction in the matter;
(ii) the identity of the accused person;
(iii) the offences of which he stands accused and a summary of the facts;
(iv) the stage reached in the proceedings; and
(v) any date fixed for further stages in the proceedings;
(g) where criminal proceedings have not been instituted, the request shall disclose the offence which the Central Authority of the requesting country has reasonable cause to believe to have been committed, with a summary of the known facts.
(2) A request shall normally be in writing but if having regard to the urgency of the matter it is expedient to make a request orally, such request shall be confirmed in writing forthwith.