This will mean that EU convictions may be admitted as evidence of bad character of a defendant in the same way as convictions in England and Wales are currently admitted. Similarly, EU convictions will be taken into account when considering whether to grant bail (particularly for homicide and rape); determining the seriousness of an offence when sentencing; determining sentence on the "three strikes and out" principle for Class A drug trafficking or domestic burglary and the making of Referral Orders in the Youth Court
Details of EU convictions will be obtained by letters of request sent to the relevant prosecutor or Court overseas.
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 applies equally to convictions outside Great Britain and there should, therefore, only be limited reference to spent convictions in open Court
Circular 2010/12 Ministry of Justice