International cooperation plays an important role in the fight against cross-border crimes. The unit responsible for dealing with mutual legal assistance and extradition matters at the Office is called the International Cooperation/Mutual Legal Assistance & Extradition Unit.

The unit is the focal point for receiving requests (both formal and informal) from enforcement agencies around the world. The parameters and procedures are set out in two main Acts namely the Mutual Assistance in Criminal and Related Matters Act 2003 and the Extradition Act 1970.

The unit works in close collaboration with the Central Authority which is the Attorney-General, on matters of mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and also with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade on matters of extradition. It also provides advice to the Interpol cell of the Mauritius Police Force.

In 2018, the Unit published the 'Mutual Legal Assistance Handbook-An Informative Guide' in order to sensitize prosecutors on the potential challenges they ​may face when triggering a request for mutual legal assistance.

Law officers of the unit regularly attend workshops and trainings on matters pertaining to mutual legal assistance and extradition matters, which not only help them keep up to date with developments in this field but also strengthen international cooperation among prosecutors.​

The Maritime Law & Human Trafficking Unit is comprised of dedicated law officers who have received specialized training through conferences and workshops.

The Maritime unit considers the threats of the maritime security and provides input regarding compliance with international standards. Given that maritime crimes have evolved and that they became more widespread and complex, maritime crimes warrant adaptable enforcement solutions and robust regulatory framework which is one of the focal points of the unit.

The Unit was involved in the drafting of the Piracy and Maritime Violence Act 2011, as well as the negotiations with Puntland and the then Transitional Federal Government of Somalia leading to the signature of post-trial transfer agreements with Somalia in May 2012. It also produced Handover Guidance for naval forces operating in the region, to guide them on how to collect evidence and exhibits and how to detain suspected pirates apprehended at sea. The Unit works in close collaboration with prosecutors in the region (Kenya and Seychelles) and other bodies such as UNODC and EUCAP Nestor.

Additionally, given that trafficking in person is an alarming illegal activity and a drastic violation of human rights, Mauritius, being one of the signatories to the Palermo Convention on human trafficking, has an international obligation to comply with the requirements of the convention. This unit ensures that the laws concerning human trafficking conforms to the convention and it also tracks the progress of the prosecutions of the cases pertaining human trafficking.​

Maritime Law 

Key Legislations -:

Piracy And Maritime Violence Act 2011

The Maritime Zones Act 2005

The Merchant Shipping Act 2007

The National Coast Guard Act 1988

Conventions -:

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea - UNCLOS

Human Trafficking

Key Legislations -:

Combatting Of Trafficking In Persons Act 2009

The Child Protection Act 1994

Conventions -:

Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Conventions against Transnational Organized Crime (Palermo Protocol)​

Economic crimes are a substantial threat to the development and stability of an economy. The Serious Fraud and Tax Evasion Unit is a specialized unit of the Office which is committed to fighting against cases of fraud, money laundering, tax evasion and forgery, among other financial crimes cases.

The police and the Independent Commission against Corruption investigate such cases following which they are mandated under the law to send the case files to the Office of the DPP to decide on prosecution. The dedicated prosecuting team of the unit shall then assess whether there is sufficient evidence and whether it is in the public interest to prosecute.

The Office of the DPP, through the Serious Fraud and Tax Evasion Unit, has also contributed in the Mutual Evaluation Assessment of Mauritius by the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG). Following recommendations made in the Mutual Evaluation Report, the ODPP has, through the Unit, taken several measures to ensure that the recommended actions are adopted. For instance, it has participated in the National Risk Assessment exercise whose main objective is to devise an effective risk-based AML/CFT regime and it is also a member of the Money Laundering Investigations Committee which ensures top level commitment from each member in the decision-making process with regards to pertinent issues related to AML/CFT policy and challenges.

Victims and witnesses play a vital role in reporting crime and giving evidence at court in order to restore justice. The main objective of the unit is to provide post investigation assistance and support to victims/witnesses of crime. One of the purposes of the setting up of the Victim and Witness support unit was because the conviction rates in cases of sexual offences upon children and young persons were on the low side and cases were discontinued as victims were reluctant to depone. This unit is mainly responsible to improve court practice in child abuse cases. The unit also deals with cases involving sexual violence, domestic violence, elderly rights and disability. It works in close collaboration with the Police Family Protection Unit, the Child Development Unit and the Brigade pour la protection des mineurs.​