Extradition, Mutual Legal Assistance & International Investigations Solicitors London
If you are the subject of an extradition request, a European Arrest Warrant, an Interpol Red Notice or a cross-border criminal investigation, specialist legal advice at the earliest possible stage can change the outcome of your case. Call our extradition solicitors on +44 20 7387 2032 or complete our online enquiry form for confidential, urgent advice. We act for clients across London and throughout England and Wales, with 24/7 availability for arrests and urgent hearings.
Specialist Extradition and International Crime Solicitors
Extradition law is a highly specialised field. Proceedings move quickly, the procedural rules are strict, and the consequences of an unsuccessful challenge include removal from the UK, separation from family, loss of employment and detention abroad. Cases frequently involve parallel criminal investigations, asset freezing, Interpol notices and requests for evidence between states under mutual legal assistance arrangements.
Our solicitors defend individuals facing extradition requests from EU member states, the United States and other jurisdictions worldwide. We work closely with leading extradition Counsel, including specialists at the London extradition Bar, and with foreign lawyers, forensic accountants and country experts where the case demands it.
Early advice matters. Grounds of challenge such as defective warrants, oppressive delay, health, family life and prison conditions abroad need to be identified and evidenced from the outset, well before the final hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Extradition Proceedings We Handle
Our team advises and represents clients in connection with:
Arrest Warrants issued by EU member states and post-Brexit surrender arrangements
Extradition requests from the United States and other non-EU jurisdictions
Interpol Red Notices and diffusions, including applications for removal
Provisional arrest and first appearances at Westminster Magistrates’ Court
Bail applications in extradition proceedings
Contested extradition hearings and appeals to the High Court
Requests for further information and challenges to defective warrants
Human rights arguments under Articles 3 and 8 of the European Convention
We represent requested persons at every stage, from arrest through to appeal, and advise those who fear a request may be issued against them.
Recent Extradition Case Successes
Our extradition team has secured a series of significant results for clients, working alongside specialist Counsel:
Discharge after 17 years of delay
Our team, with James Stansfeld of Counsel, acted for a client whom the Polish authorities sought some 17 years after the alleged offence. She was not a fugitive, and the court accepted that the substantial unexplained delay, her ill health and her settled life in the UK made extradition oppressive and disproportionate. She was discharged.
Article 8 discharge for a fugitive client
In a separate Polish request, our team, with Nicholas Hearn of Counsel, secured the discharge of a client who was a fugitive. The court found that many years of unexplained delay by the requesting authority tipped the balance in his favour: extradition would have been a disproportionate interference with his Article 8 rights and those of his family.
Defective Polish warrant withdrawn with costs
Our client faced a European Arrest Warrant from Poland concerning drugs and fraud allegations. We argued that the warrant was defective. The Polish authority withdrew it, and costs were awarded to our client.
Defective Romanian warrant withdrawn
The Romanian authorities issued a warrant against our client. We again established that the warrant was defective, and it was withdrawn. James Stansfeld of Furnival Chambers was instructed Counsel in both warrant challenges, with Sean Reilly leading for the firm.
These outcomes reflect the value of detailed scrutiny of the warrant, early evidence gathering and carefully constructed legal argument.
Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA)
Mutual legal assistance is the formal mechanism by which states request evidence, documents, banking records or witness testimony from one another for use in criminal investigations and prosecutions. In the UK, requests are processed under the Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 and related treaties.
If you, your business or your bank has received notice of an MLA request, or you suspect that a foreign authority is gathering evidence against you through UK channels, specialist advice is needed without delay. We advise on:
Responding to production orders and evidence requests arising from foreign investigations
Challenging unlawful or overbroad requests
Restraint and freezing of assets at the request of overseas authorities
Protecting privileged and confidential material
Coordinating advice with lawyers in the requesting state
International and Cross-Border Investigations
Criminal investigations increasingly span multiple jurisdictions. Allegations of fraud, bribery, money laundering, sanctions breaches and market misconduct often involve simultaneous interest from UK agencies such as the SFO, NCA, FCA and HMRC alongside overseas bodies including the US Department of Justice and European prosecutors.
Our solicitors advise individuals and companies caught up in multi-jurisdictional investigations. We manage the UK strand of the case, coordinate with foreign counsel, advise on interviews and document production, and plan for the risk that an investigation abroad may mature into an extradition request or Interpol notice. Acting early on the international dimension of a case can prevent an arrest at a border years later.
Interpol Red Notices
A Red Notice can result in arrest when travelling, frozen bank accounts and serious reputational harm, sometimes without the subject ever having been notified.
We advise clients on establishing whether a notice exists, applying to the Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files (CCF) for disclosure and deletion, and managing travel and business risk in the meantime. Notices founded on politically motivated or abusive requests can be challenged and removed.
What to Do If You Are Arrested on an Extradition Warrant
Ask for a solicitor immediately
Do not answer questions about the underlying allegations.
Prepare for the first hearing
You will usually be brought before Westminster Magistrates’ Court promptly, and decisions taken at that first hearing, particularly on bail and consent, can shape the whole case.
Never consent to extradition without legal advice
Consent is very difficult to reverse and removes significant grounds of challenge.
Preserve your documents
Keep any documents that show your ties to the UK, your health circumstances and your history since the alleged offence.
Our Extradition and International Crime Team
Depending on the nature of your matter, your case may be handled by Jeffrey Lewis, Siobhain Egan, Miles Herman or Keith Wood, supported by our wider financial crime team and instructed specialist extradition Counsel. The team has substantial experience of contested extradition hearings, High Court appeals, Interpol challenges and complex cross-border investigations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be extradited from the UK for an old offence?
Possibly, but long unexplained delay can make extradition oppressive or disproportionate. Courts have discharged requested persons where many years have passed.
Can an extradition warrant be challenged?
Yes. Warrants can be challenged as defective, and on grounds including delay, health, family life, prison conditions and human rights.
Will I get bail in extradition proceedings?
Bail is possible in many cases. An early, well-prepared application with suitable conditions and sureties gives the best prospect of release.
What is an Interpol Red Notice?
A Red Notice is an international alert seeking a person’s arrest with a view to extradition. It can be challenged and deleted through Interpol’s CCF.
Should I consent to extradition?
Never consent without specialist legal advice. Consent is very difficult to reverse and removes significant grounds of challenge.
Contact Our Extradition Lawyers in London
If you or a family member is facing an extradition request, a Red Notice or an international criminal investigation, immediate specialist advice can protect your liberty, your family life and your career. Our solicitors are available 24/7 for urgent arrests and hearings.
To speak with a member of our specialist team, call +44 20 7387 2032 or complete our online enquiry form to arrange a confidential consultation.