By: Belfast Project: the Government Says The Case Is Not Moot | Letters Blogatory

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 11:00:07 +0000

[…] As predicted, the government has responded to Boston College’s suggestion of the death of Dolours Price by arguing that the investigation in the UK is not limited to making a criminal case against Ms. Price herself. In it’s memorandum, the government chides BC for making an argument so cursory that it “would ordinarily be deemed waived,” but because the question goes to the courts’ jurisdiction, it addresses the substantive points. First, the government claims that the subpoenas sought materials htat “very well might include interviews implicating persons other than Price in [Jean] McConville’s death.” Second, and perhaps more interestingly, the government rebuts BC’s arguments based on the MLAT itself. BC had argued that under Article 1, § 1bis of the MLAT, mutual legal assistance is only available “for matters in which the administrative authority anticipates that no prosecution or referral, as applicable, will take place.” But the government points out that § 1bis and its limitations are inapplicable, because it applies only where assistance is requested by a “national administrative authorities” conducting an investigation “with a view to a criminal prosecution.” The more general provisions of the treaty permit “mutual legal assistance … for the purpose of proceedings” that include “any measure or step taken in connection with the investigation or prosecution of criminal offenses.” It’s hard to say, and I may be reading between the lines too much, but the government may be saying that while the UK are conducting an investigation of criminal investigation, there is not necessarily a plan for prosecution. Who knows? Unfortunately, we do not have access to the government’s ex parte submissions. […]

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By: Belfast Project: the Government Says The Case Is Not Moot | Letters Blogatory