Being subjected to an extradition request can be a devastating experience. Defendants often have little or no warning that an application will be made and the initial stages of the process can be traumatic. It is then often a shock to discover that current UK extradition law often allows only limited and narrowly defined possibilities to oppose and defeat the extradition request. It is therefore essential to access good advice at an early stage.

Our Extradition Team has the expertise to guide you through this difficult experience, give clear and accessible advice and to strongly promote and protect your interests. The team is headed by Martin Rackstraw (ranked in Chambers and Legal 500) who, amongst other cases, acted in the first case under the Extradition Act 2003 to be heard in the House of Lords Belgium-v-Cando Armas.

Our team have drawn on their experience of defending not only in extradition cases, but in many other very serious and often high profile criminal cases (see Criminal and Business Law team). We regularly defend in complex financial crime prosecutions, an area of law that has seen a large rise in extradition applications in recent years, and have particular expertise in cases involving international corruption.