All you need to know about extradition
UK Extradition Lawyer will work tirelessly to ensure that no stone is left unturned to defeat your extradition request. As a highly regarded London-based lawyer, I represent clients on extradition matters in both Westminster Magistrates’ Court and the High Court. Contact me today.
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About extradition
Extradition proceedings are complex, and I encourage anyone who is worried about a possible extradition to contact me.
If you or a family member are currently facing extradition proceedings, please call me, George Hepburne Scott. Extradition on a European arrest warrant is not a formality if you have the right legal representation.
In order to extradite from the UK there are a number of bars or hurdles the prosecution must overcome, together with a range of procedural issues. The bars to extradition include:
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Double jeopardy: This means facing proceedings for the same offence twice.
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Passage of time: Where so much time has passed since the original offence that it is unfair or oppressive to proceed against a defendant.
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Age: Where the defendant would have been under the UK age of criminal responsibility when the original offence took place.
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Hostage taking: Whether an earlier extradition has already taken place from another country, consent may be needed before another extradition takes place.
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Extraneous issues: This means when the proceedings in the foreign state are actually a cover for an ulterior motive, or where the person will be disadvantaged during the foreign proceedings because of that same ulterior motive; for example, racial or political victimisation.
Fees
I can operate through Legal Aid in many cases - in other words, the Government will pay your fees, although you will have to pass the means test for this. I can also accept private instructions and where this is the case I provide extremely competitive fee structures.
Extradition appeals
If a person is ordered to be extradited at the magistrates’ court, that person has a right of appeal to the High Court. In some cases, there may be a right of appeal to the Supreme Court, but permission, or ‘leave to appeal’, is required. I provide unrivalled expertise in extradition proceedings.
Bail in extradition proceedings
There is a presumption in favour of bail in extradition proceedings where there has not yet been a conviction in the foreign country. The foreign country (usually represented by the CPS), will often try to prevent this, by making objections in court on the basis of the likelihood that the person will not attend. Because there is often an accusation that the person has ‘escaped justice’ in the original country, this may be quite persuasive to a judge. Because of this, evidence of ties to the UK and their family life here can be particularly important. The court may often require a cash security before granting bail.
In cases where the person has already been convicted in the foreign state, bail may be more difficult to obtain.
CONTACT ME TODAY
If you need more information about extradition, contact UK Extradition Lawyer in London today. I am a leading extradition lawyer.
020 3597 7595