The MLA Tool is a web-based application designed to operate seamlessly across a wide range of devices and operating systems, ensuring broad accessibility and consistent user experience. It enables cooperation between States, by assisting criminal justice practitioners, particularly officers of central authorities, in drafting MLA requests, as well as in sharing draft requests with their counterparts for quality control and co-drafting purposes.
The MLA tool provides guidance to practitioners through each step of the drafting process, helping them to fill in all relevant information.
The MLA Tool was last upgraded in 2025 with a view to comply with United Nations security standards, including those related to secure configuration and network infrastructure integration. The upgraded tool is capable of running on all devices and it has an enhanced user interface.
The upgrade of the MLA Tool in 2025 was made possible thanks to the generous contribution from China, under the strategic cooperation between the Ministry of Justice of China and UNODC, to further implement the Joint Plan of Action on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.
Access the MLA Tool
Access to the MLA Tool is reserved for officials from national central and competent authorities and Permanent Missions to the United Nations who have an individual account to access the CNA Directory.
The MLA Tool is structured around three main inter-operable modules:
This module enables the integration of specific means of cooperation, such as transfer of criminal proceedings and videoconferencing; as well as of references to joint investigations and international cooperation to conduct controlled deliveries (under the title "Any other form of assistance’).
This module includes streamlined guidance to avoid overlaps with traditional MLA features.
This module includes guidance and resources on expedited preservation of stored computer data, access to stored computer data and real-time collection of traffic data.
The MLA Tool is synchronised with the SHERLOC knowledge management portal, and the Online Directory of Competent National Authorities (CNA Directory).
Looking for additional international cooperation resources hosted on SHERLOC?
For further information or assistance, please contact:
Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking Branch
Division for Treaty Affairs
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
UNODC Legal Mailbox: unodc-legal@un.org
