If a person is accused or convicted of a crime in another country in their absence, they face the possibility of being extradited to that country to face the consequences.
For individuals facing such a situation, extradition can often be one of the most critical stages of their overall defence. This is why it is vital that anyone who is subject to an extradition request – or believes they are about to be – seeks immediate advice from experts in this complex and involved area of law.
Our lawyers have represented individuals whose extradition has been requested by a number of countries, including the United States, Brazil, Germany and Kuwait. The offences alleged by these states have often included financial crime, such as fraud and corruption.
Rahman Ravelli has been at the cutting edge of extradition cases since Brexit led to the UK withdrawing from the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) scheme.
Extradition Lawyers - What We Do
Rahman Ravelli acts for individuals in complex extradition matters, either when extradition is the sole issue or when it is part of a larger, cross-border financial crime investigation.
Our extradition team lawyers advise clients on the technical, statutory and human rights challenges that are available when resisting extradition requests. They are skilled at gathering evidence to support all challenges to extradition and have well-established connections with a number of international experts and local lawyers worldwide. This enables us to assist clients, wherever in the world they may be facing extradition-related issues.
At Rahman Ravelli, we believe that extradition can often be a pivotal point in defending a client. This is why our advice in all such cases is pragmatic, strategic and based on our lawyers’ in-depth expertise and experience.
We have particular prowess in using extradition as leverage to negotiate with law enforcement authorities to secure favourable bail packages, reduce the charges against an individual or even discontinue prosecutions. We are also adept at securing specific guarantees to safeguard an individual in the event that extradition does occur.
Extradition proceedings can present reputational risk. But our extradition lawyers frequently work on high-profile cases and are highly experienced in handling all aspects of reputation management, including protecting clients from the brunt of adverse publicity.
Before Extradition
Rahman Ravelli also advises clients before extradition proceedings formally commence – often challenging INTERPOL Red Notices. A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and arrest a person pending extradition or other legal action.
As frequent precursors to formal extradition proceedings, INTERPOL Red Notices can have a significant impact on an individual’s freedom. Our successful challenges to such notices have involved arguments relating to procedural impropriety or politically-motivated requests.
As we are experienced in representing companies and individuals who are either witnesses or suspects in international criminal investigations, we advise clients about their rights and obligations and how best to pre-empt risks and tactically engage with investigating authorities.
Our involvement in associations such as the International Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the European Criminal Bar Association, the Defence Extradition Lawyers Forum and the International Association of Young Lawyers has seen us forge a strong international legal network. We work closely with those in our network to navigate local law and procedure and achieve the best outcomes for clients.
Representation of an Irish national seeking to delete an INTERPOL Red Notice issued by the Brazilian authorities.
Representation of a British hedge-fund manager facing extradition to Germany on a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) in connection with his alleged participation in the multijurisdictional tax fraud scheme known as Cum-Ex.
Advice to the founder of one of the largest private investment firms in Qatar, in a challenge to an INTERPOL Red Notice, requested by Kuwaiti authorities in connection with a purported embezzlement and fraud scheme.
Extradition and bail advice to a London-based trader indicted for fraud offences in the US.
Representation of a Nigerian national facing extradition from the UK to the US for his alleged participation in a multinational scheme using stolen credit card numbers to purchase tens of millions of dollars’ worth of retail merchandise.
Advice to a UK barrister on aspects of US criminal law and Bureau of Prisons’ policies relevant to a client’s pending extradition proceedings.
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Legal Articles
Double jeopardy and Interpol red notices Niall Hearty of Rahman Ravelli details a case where the double jeopardy rule was seen to override an Interpol red notice
2 min read - Published Jun 2021
U.S. Extradition Challenges Rahman Ravelli outlines the issues in a case that shows how British courts can be receptive to challenges to US extradition attempts
