Services
About The Service
Extradition
If you are facing an extradition request, have been arrested under an international warrant, or are sought by a foreign jurisdiction, you need immediate specialist legal representation. At Powell Spencer & Partners, our London-based extradition defence team offers urgent, expert advice and representation in extradition matters: whether you are being surrendered from the UK, fighting extradition from abroad, or challenging a foreign request to the UK.
What is Extradition & Why It Matters
Extradition is the formal process under which one state requests the surrender of a person from another state to face criminal proceedings or serve a sentence. In the UK context, this involves the Extradition Act 2003 (among other legislation) and may include requests from abroad or the UK sending someone to another country.
Key features include:
The court hearing a request and assessing whether legal and human-rights bars apply.
The role of the Home Secretary in approving extradition once the court has made its decision in certain cases.
The potential for major personal, legal and immigration consequences if surrender is ordered or granted.
Why Choose Us for Your Extradition Defence?
We specialise in extradition law, international criminal law and cross-border representation — particularly relevant in cases with serious allegations, financial or regulatory elements, or sensitive human-rights issues.
We provide urgent access and speak with you immediately — early legal advice is critical in extradition cases where deadlines and surrender timetables apply.
We handle the full spectrum of extradition matters: challenging incoming extradition to the UK, defending UK nationals sought abroad, considering forum bars, human-rights defences and negotiating representations.
We offer comprehensive strategy: from arrest and detention in extradition proceedings, to bail applications, disclosure, challenging certification and appeals.
Transparent funding: We assess your eligibility for legal aid or provide clear private-fee options so you understand costs and options from day one.
Our Extradition Defence Services
Arrest & Detention Advice
If you’ve been arrested under an extradition warrant, we attend immediately, advise on rights, bail options and build early defence strategy.
Challenging Extradition Requests to the UK
We analyse requests from foreign states, identify grounds to resist surrender (such as human-rights bars, forum bar, time-bar, discrimination) and prepare representations.
Defending UK Nationals Facing Extradition from the UK
For UK residents or nationals threatened with extradition, we advise on treaty issues, the Extradition Act, mandatory surrender steps and defence options, including negotiating plea or resolution where appropriate.
Forum Bar & Human-Rights Defences
We advise and act on grounds including where substantial conduct occurred in the UK (forum bar), risk of unfair trial or treatment in requesting state and issues of time passage or discrimination.
Post-Extradition and Appeal Work
If extradition is approved or the surrender executed, we help with appeal, review of conditions, removal or deportation risk, representation in requesting jurisdiction and cross-border enforcement issues.
Key Considerations & What You Should Know
Time is critical – Extradition processes often move quickly once a warrant is issued or request certified, so early legal intervention is vital.
Serious consequences – Extradition may lead to trial overseas, significant custodial sentences, deportation, professional consequences or life-changing impact.
Complex international/treaty issues – Case law, treaties (including the Extradition Act 2003), human-rights conventions and politics may play a crucial part.
Human-rights challenges are important – Bars such as risk of torture, unfair trial or inhumane treatment may be decisive in resisting extradition.
Funding requirements – Extradition defence can be highly complex and expensive; understanding funding (legal aid or private fee) is essential.
Our Process & Transparent Fees
Initial urgent consultation – We assess the extradition threat: incoming or outgoing, which country, the offence, funding, likely strategy.
Strategy development – Review of the warrant/request, treaty, possible bars, bail options, representation decision and timing.
Representation & hearings – Attend detention/bail hearings, prepare submissions, negotiate or contest surrender, manage disclosure and advocate for you.
Outcome & next steps – Whether outcome is surrender, refusal, appeal or return, we guide on consequences including sentencing abroad, immigration/ citizenship impact, removal or professional fallout.
Fees: We provide clear estimates upfront. We assess whether your case is eligible for legal aid; where not, we provide fixed-fee or structured payment options.
Contact Our Extradition Defence Solicitors in London If you are subject to an extradition request, been arrested on an international warrant, or fear a foreign state is seeking your surrender — act now.Let Powell Spencer & Partners provide best-in-class extradition defence, protect your rights and make a difference when your future is at stake.
FAQs – Extradition Defence UK
Q: What is the “forum bar”?
A: The forum bar allows UK courts to refuse extradition if a significant portion of the conduct occurred in the UK and it would not be in the interests of justice to try abroad.
Q: Can I be extradited even if I’m a British national?
A: Yes — British nationals may be surrendered abroad if treaty or law allows, though there may be additional defences and grounds to resist.
Q: Will I go straight to prison if extradited?
A: Not automatically — you may face trial overseas, or charges may be dropped or settled; however risk is serious.
Q: Is legal aid available for extradition cases?
A: Yes — many extradition defence cases meet the “interests of justice” test. We can check your funding eligibility and help apply.