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Treaties
The responsibility for concluding treaties involving the United Kingdom lies with the Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs. The FCO is responsible for our policy aspects of all treaties, as well as dealing with questions of form, practice and procedure.
The FCO's Treaty section has two main roles – to advise on practice and procedural matters in relation to the production of treaties, and to provide information on those treaties to which the United Kingdom is, or has been, a party.
Treaty Section provides a number of regular services:
The Procedures Team:
- advise on UK Treaty practice and procedure including preparation of treaty texts, Instruments of Ratification and Full Powers
- publish UK Treaties as Command Papers with Explanatory Memoranda
- register UK treaties that have been extended into force with the United Nations
The Information Team:
- provide a Treaty enquiry service which can identify bilateral or multilateral treaties involving the UK
We also offer:
- lists on a range of issues and other related information, including status lists for the Brussels and Lugano Conventions, and the 1958 Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards
- Treaty texts on certain specified subjects, such as Investment and Prisoner Transfer agreements
- act as depositary for 36 multilateral treaties
These pages further contain:
- a Glossary of treaty terms (intended as guidance only, and should not be considered authoritative)
- Treaties applying to UK Overseas Territories. When the UK is involved in the negotiation or signature of any treaty which could apply to the OTs it is important they are fully consulted at the earliest stage.
- links to international organisations, other States' treaty websites, and other international law websites useful for further research.
Enquiries service
Our treaty information section maintains a database of UK treaties, which holds details of all the treaties to which the UK is, or has been, a party.
Practice & Procedures
Advice on UK treaty practice and procedure including preparation of treaty texts, instruments of ratification and full powers.
Depositary
The UK is the legal depositary for numerous multilateral treaties, on a wide range of subjects.
Publication of Treaties - introductory note
Information on the publication of treaties.
Treaty Links
Links to international organisations, other States' treaty websites, and other international law websites useful for further research.
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Contact us
Our Treaty Enquiry Service (which is free of charge) is open from 0900 to 1700 Monday to Friday.
Tel: 020 7008 1109
Fax: 020 7008 1115.
Email:treaty.fco@gtnet.gov.uk
Written enquiries can also be made to:
Treaty Enquiry Service
Legal Advisers Directorate
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Rm W.LG 167
London
SW1A 2AH
