Extradition

Three Raymond Buildings has been at the forefront of extradition law for over fifty years and is the leading set in this field. From the Pinochet case, in which we were instructed on all sides of the proceedings, and Berezovsky, to, more recently, US v Abu Hamza, US v Gary McKinnon, the Rwandan cases, South Africa v Dewani, and Julian Assange, we have acted in many of the landmark cases and, as such, have been instrumental in shaping the development of extradition law.

The depth and breadth of expertise and experience within Chambers means that we are able to advise any party at all stages of the extradition process. We regularly advise and represent requesting states, foreign governments, the CPS and the Secretary of State, and requested individuals, from the initial hearing in Westminster Magistrates’ court through to appellate proceedings before the High Court, the Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights. We also advise on UK requests for extradition as well as on extradition proceedings in foreign and Commonwealth jurisdictions.

Our unparalleled reputation in this field is sustained by recognised extradition specialists at all levels of call. The late Clive Nicholls QC was co-author of the leading textbook, The Law of Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance (OUP), and senior members of Chambers act as expert witnesses on matters of UK extradition law in foreign jurisdictions and contribute to lectures and seminars both domestically and internationally. Three silks in chambers (Helen Malcolm QC, Hugo Keith QC and James Lewis QC) are consistently top ranked in Bar guides.

We are experts in mutual legal assistance and are instructed regularly by the UK authorities to advise upon and draft letters of request to foreign jurisdictions. We also provide advice and representation to individuals and companies affected by mutual legal assistance requests, including potential suspects and witnesses, and offer advice regarding their rights and possible grounds for challenging the process.

We provide advice to foreign governments wishing to make requests to the UK to obtain evidence for their own domestic proceedings and representation in any subsequent legal challenges brought by the subject of such a request.