Australian Government: Attorney-General's Department
Australian Government: Attorney-General's DepartmentAchieving a Just and Secure Society

Regional Legal Assistance Unit

The Australian Government is committed to working cooperatively with countries in the region to strengthen legal frameworks that contribute to the fight against terrorism.

The Regional Legal Assistance Unit (RLAU) is available to provide training, legislative assistance and advice to countries in the region to assist with:

  • implementing obligations under the international counter-terrorism instruments and related Security Council Resolutions, and
  • strengthening international legal cooperation frameworks including extradition and mutual assistance, as required by those instruments.

Background

RLAU was established in July 2005 as part of a broader regional counter-terrorism package adopted by the Government in the 2005–06 budget. The establishment of RLAU followed the Bali Regional Ministerial Meeting on Counter-Terrorism held in February 2004. That meeting, which focused on legal and law enforcement cooperation, highlighted gaps in the region’s counter-terrorism and international legal cooperation frameworks.

Role of RLAU

RLAU has two primary roles: 

  • providing assistance to countries in the region to strengthen their counter-terrorism legal frameworks, and 
  • working with countries to improve legal cooperation arrangements to support the fight against terrorism.

RLAU works with the governments of other countries to ensure that all forms of terrorist activity are criminalised, by developing legislation that implements the international counter terrorism conventions and protocols and related Security Council Resolutions. RLAU can also assist governments to establish or strengthen frameworks for international legal cooperation, including extradition and mutual assistance.

RLAU provides assistance tailored to the specific needs and priorities of the requesting country. Assistance projects may include any combination of the following types of technical assistance, depending on the needs of the country:

  • workshops and training on legal concepts and international obligations
  • advice and guidance on strengthening domestic legal regimes to counter terrorism
  • assistance with drafting relevant laws
  • assistance with the adoption of legislation through the parliamentary process, and 
  • assistance in the practical implementation of legislation, including training of relevant authorities.

Other types of assistance may also be considered depending on the needs of the requesting country.

Requesting assistance

Countries interested in engaging RLAU to provide technical legal assistance should:

  • download the request form and send the completed form directly to the Director, RLAU, and
  • arrange for a formal letter requesting assistance to be sent at Ministerial level to the Australian Attorney-General, the Hon Robert McClelland MP.

Both the request form and letter should contain as much information as possible. This will assist RLAU to develop an appropriate program of legal assistance for the requesting country.

RLAU is also available to discuss assistance options prior to a formal request being made. If you have any questions or would like further information please do not hesitate to contact the Director of RLAU by phone or email.

Contact

Director
Regional Legal Assistance Unit
Attorney-General’s Department
3-5 National Circuit Barton
ACT 2600 AUSTRALIA

Email: rlaumb@ag.gov.au