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International Crime & Extradition Defence Solicitors

Extradition proceedings can move quickly and may determine whether you are surrendered from the UK to face prosecution, sentencing or an existing sentence in another country. 

Our Solicitors can advise from the point of arrest, examine the request made against you and represent you throughout extradition proceedings. We will assess the evidence and legal basis relied upon by the requesting state, identify any grounds on which extradition may be challenged and advise you clearly on the steps ahead.

Draycott Browne has more than 25 years of experience defending serious criminal allegations and is recognised by Chambers UK for Crime. Our team also includes solicitors accredited under the Law Society’s Criminal Litigation Accreditation scheme, providing experienced representation in complex criminal proceedings with an international dimension.

If you have been arrested under an extradition warrant, notified of an extradition request or are concerned that proceedings may be brought against you in the UK, contact our criminal defence team for confidential advice.

What is extradition? 

Extradition is the process by which one country can ask for the return of a person from another country so that they can stand trial, or to serve a sentence that has been passed upon them. The UK has relationships with over 100 countries worldwide for extradition proceedings – but even if there is no arrangement in place, it is still possible in some circumstances for an extradition request to be made.

Extradition requests may arise where an individual is wanted overseas for prosecution or to serve a sentence. For requests from EU Member States, surrender is now governed by the arrangements in the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which have applied since 1 January 2021, alongside Part 1 of the Extradition Act 2003.

Requests from other countries may proceed under Part 2 of the Extradition Act 2003 or other applicable extradition arrangements. An INTERPOL Red Notice may also be relevant where overseas authorities are seeking to locate a person pending extradition proceedings.

If you find yourself in this situation, it is crucial that you speak to our extradition solicitors immediately, in order to ensure that your rights are upheld.

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Our legal team is available 7 days a week

Criminal Defence Expertise for International Crime 

Our Experienced Serious Crime Team

Shaun Draycott

Shaun Draycott

Managing Director & Serious Crime Solicitor
Rob Mann

Rob Mann

Director & Serious Crime Solicitor
Venessa Schweitzer

Venessa Schweitzer

Consultant Litigator
Caitlin Cardwell

Caitlin Cardwell

Crown Court Litigator
Meet the Team

What is an interpol red notice?

An INTERPOL Red Notice is a request circulated internationally to locate a person and, where permitted by the law of the country concerned, provisionally arrest them pending extradition, surrender or similar legal action.

A Red Notice is not itself an international arrest warrant and does not automatically give authorities in the UK a power to arrest. Its legal effect depends on the domestic law and extradition arrangements that apply.

Red Notices are published at the request of an INTERPOL member country or qualifying international tribunal and contain identifying information about the person concerned and details of the offence for which they are wanted.

 These can commonly include:

 

  • Murder
  • Rape
  • Child Abuse
  • Armed Robbery

It should be noted that INTERPOL has no power to arrest or force local authorities to enforce the Red Notice in any specific way, as each member country can decide the legal validity of the Notice and issue proceedings as they see fit.

The extradition process

The process for extradition from the UK differs depending on whether the request is made from a Category 1 territories, or a Category 2 territory. (Categories are defined under the Extradition Act 2003 – legislation that sets out how overseas governments are able to secure the surrender of individuals who are resident in the UK.)

For a Category 1 territory, a Part 1 warrant is issued by a judicial authority in the requesting territory and transmitted to the UK. The National Crime Agency acts as the designated authority responsible for receiving and certifying qualifying warrants.

Once the warrant has been certified, the requested person may be arrested and brought before the appropriate court. If they do not consent to extradition, the court will arrange an extradition hearing and consider whether the statutory requirements for extradition are met and whether any bars or other grounds for refusing extradition apply.

Part 1 proceedings involving EU Member States operate under the surrender arrangements contained in the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement and the Extradition Act 2003.

How is an extradition request defended?

Draycott Browne’s extradition solicitors have extensive knowledge and experience of The Extradition Act 2003, and considerable experience of assisting clients facing charges of international crime or expedition. We know how to build a robust defence case on your behalf, and we know what is involved in challenging extradition under the Part 1 or Part 2 procedures of the Extradition Act 2003. We also understand how certain articles of the Human Rights Act can be used to create a defence, such as your rights to a family life, and to avoid inhumane and degrading treatment. We can plea bargain and do everything that we can to secure a reduction in sentence where necessary.

Specialist International Crime & Extradition Lawyers

  • 24/7 Availability
  • Proven Success in High Profile Cases
  • Non-Judgemental Representation Tailored to Your Situation

Protect your future with trusted, expert legal defence—contact Draycott Browne’s International Crime & Extradition Solicitors today.

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How Draycott Browne can help?

When we act for you, we take as much of the burden from you as we can; we will communicate with all of the relevant authorities, investigators and national and international police on your behalf, ensuring that your legal rights are safeguarded. We will robustly challenge any requests or extradition proceedings where there are grounds to do so.

We have extensive experience of dealing with arrest warrants from Part 1 and Part 2 territories and have international contacts who collaborate with us on matters of extradition and investigations into offences including money laundering, fraud and corruption. It is vital that you respond to any request for extradition in the right way – an error may seriously jeopardise your chances of achieving a good outcome. Ensuring that you have knowledgeable and tenacious representation is key to achieving the best possible end result.

In relation to international crime and extradition, we can:

 

  • offer advice and representation to overseas nationals who are involved in UK police investigations
  • aid with confiscation, restraint and receivership
  • act in tax investigations
  • assist with fraud, financial crime and FCA investigations
  • assist overseas lawyers
  • negotiate cross border legal problems
  • challenge Interpol Red Notices
  • work with and advise relevant embassies in relation to international crime and investigations
  • advise on all aspects of international crime
  • deal with political and economic extradition
  • handle extradition order appeals
  • assist executives from the UK if they find themselves facing fraud allegations in the US.

When you choose Draycott Browne to assist you with your case, you can have faith in the fact that you will have access to some of the best extradition and international crime solicitors working in this area of the law. We offer advice and assistance around the clock and have a formidable reputation in the legal world for our skilful defences and our unwavering commitment to each case. Get in touch with us as soon as you can – our dedicated serious crime legal team are ready to help you with the challenges ahead.

24 hour availability

Our legal advisors are available to respond to your needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We will represent you at the police station and throughout the duration of your case to make sure you are treated fairly and appropriately.

Funding your defence

Legal Aid may be available for extradition proceedings depending on your financial circumstances and the stage of the case. We can advise you on eligibility and the funding arrangements available.

Private funding can provide greater flexibility where the case involves complex international evidence, urgent applications or the need to obtain material from foreign lawyers, experts or other witnesses. It can also allow additional time to analyse the request in detail and prepare challenges to extradition where there are proper legal grounds to do so.

Our Solicitors will explain the likely work involved, the available funding options and the areas of the case that may require additional preparation.

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Our legal team is available 7 days a week

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Contact the International Crime Solicitors

If you or a loved one has been arrested for an international crime, or has an international arrest warrant to their name, it is essential that you engage the expertise of professional solicitors who will be able to help and advise you on a defence strategy as soon as possible.

By entrusting your case to us, you can be assured that you will have a team of highly experienced and tenacious legal specialists who have a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of this area of law.

As one of the UK's leading Criminal Defence Law Firms, we are highly regarded nationally across the legal profession and noted for consistently delivering positive results for our clients.

Our expert International Crime Solicitors regularly act for clients in Manchester, Preston, Blackpool, Liverpool, Leeds, Nottingham, Birmingham, and London. As recognised criminal lawyers we can represent you wherever you live in England and Wales.

Our legal team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you or somebody you know has been arrested and needs expert legal representation, contact Draycott Browne today.

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