The parties to the Convention agree to offer each other "the widest measure of mutual assistance" in investigating crimes, procuring evidence, and in prosecuting criminal suspects.
The Convention also sets out rules for the enforcement of such letters rogatory by the authorities of the requested state.
The Convention was concluded in Strasbourg, France, on 20 April 1959 and entered into force on 12 June 1962.
In 2009, San Marino became the 47th and final member state of the Council of Europe to ratify the Convention, making it one of the few universal Conventions amongst member states of the Council.
The Convention has also been ratified by Chile, Russia, Israel, and South Korea.