UK and Italy reaffirm justice cooperation and sign a new prisoner transfer agreement
The United Kingdom and the Italian Republic have reaffirmed their close bilateral relationship, pledging to deepen cooperation across criminal, civil and international justice systems.
In a joint statement published on 28 January 2026 by the Ministry of Justice, both countries said justice collaboration is increasingly vital as threats to security and the rule of law become more complex and cross-border in nature. The two governments underlined their shared values of democracy and human rights and committed to upholding these principles domestically and internationally.
The statement confirmed a renewed ambition to strengthen justice cooperation for the benefit of citizens in both countries. This includes closer collaboration in criminal justice to protect victims and support public safety, alongside continued cooperation in civil and family justice to provide legal certainty and improve outcomes for individuals, families and children.
Both governments highlighted serious organised crime, including criminal activity originating in prisons, as a shared challenge. They agreed that greater strategic cooperation and the exchange of expertise would help strengthen resilience and enhance the effectiveness of their justice systems.
The UK and Italy also reaffirmed their shared commitment to the rule of law on the international stage. The statement noted their continued support for Ukraine and confirmed an intention to align efforts to support Ukraine’s reform and recovery.
In addition to bilateral cooperation, both countries committed to working together through multilateral institutions, including the Council of Europe and the United Nations, to ensure international legal frameworks remain effective in responding to modern challenges.
As part of the renewed partnership, the UK and Italy have signed a new bilateral Prisoner Transfer Agreement. The agreement is designed to enable effective transfers of prisoners between the two countries, allowing offenders to serve their sentences in their home state where appropriate.
According to the joint statement, the agreement aims to improve rehabilitation and reintegration outcomes, both during custody and following release. The two governments said they will work closely together to implement the agreement swiftly and effectively, ensuring it delivers tangible benefits in line with their shared objectives.
The statement concludes by emphasising the determination of both countries to deepen their justice relationship and build on existing foundations of trust and cooperation. Both sides expressed confidence that the strengthened partnership will deliver practical benefits for citizens in the UK and Italy and support broader international justice goals.