Who are Interpol Lawyers London
Interpol Lawyers London refers to a group of legal professionals or a law firm based in London that specializes in dealing with cases related to Interpol. This includes helping individuals who have been issued Red Notices by Interpol, which are requests to locate and provisionally arrest an individual pending extradition. These lawyers are experienced in international law and criminal defense, providing advice and representation for those facing extradition or seeking to challenge or remove Interpol notices.
Our team specializes in defending clients who are dealing with Interpol notices and extradition warrants. We have extensive experience in challenging red and diffused notices, ensuring efficient and confidential case management.
Our reputation is built on successfully defending our clients and effectively solving their problems. We take pride in providing high-quality legal services, grounded in a deep understanding of international law and Interpol procedures. Just like our partners at 12 King’s Bench Walk in London, we aim to efficiently resolve your legal issues and are ready to support you at every step, ensuring legal protection and peace of mind.
Interpol lawyers in London
In the era of globalization, more people and companies are faced with international legal issues: from extradition arrangements and cross-border searches to politically motivated cases affecting reputation and freedom.
Interpol lawyers are specialists in the field of international criminal and extradition law who:
- Protect clients listed in Interpol databases;
- Challenge red notices and other forms of international search;
- Support extradition procedures in the UK and other countries.
Such specialists have extensive experience in the Interpol extradition act, handling cases involving various countries, authorities, and jurisdictions, including the UK National Crime Agency (NCA), the UK Home Office, and the Interpol Files Control Commission.
London has long been a global center for legal services and litigation. The UK capital is home to some of the best law firms specializing in international cases, as well as courts that make extradition decisions in many countries. The British judicial system has traditionally respected the principles of a fair trial and protection from arbitrariness. This makes London an attractive jurisdiction for challenging red notices, particularly if they are politically motivated or infringe on the rights of the accused.
Interpol lawyers provide expert assistance in the following areas:
- Case analysis and legal assessment. A lawyer conducts a legal analysis of the notice: whether it complies with the Interpol charter, whether it violates human rights standards, and whether it can be challenged or canceled.
- Preparation and submission of a complaint to the CCF Commission. If the notice is unfounded, the lawyer will file an appeal with the CCF, seeking its removal or suspension. This may be critical for restoring reputation and removing restrictions when crossing borders.
- Representation in courts. In the case of an extradition request, the lawyer defends the client in the Magistrates’ Court or High Court, challenges the extradition, citing the threat of torture, political persecution, unfair trial, and other reasons;
- Liaison with NCA and UK Home Office. Lawyers participate in official correspondence and negotiations with the British authorities – the National Crime Agency and the Ministry of the Interior, seeking to end the search and block the extradition process;
- International coordination. Such cases are rarely limited to one country. Lawyers in London work closely with lawyers in other countries (for example, in the country of origin of the request), coordinate defense in several jurisdictions, and forward requests to foreign ministries of justice, courts, and prosecutors’ offices.
Contact our team now! Our lawyers will analyze the legality of the notification, file petitions to remove data from the Interpol database, protect you from unjustified extradition, help restore your reputation and ensure freedom of movement. Entrust the matter to professionals who know how to act in international legal conflicts and effectively interact with Interpol.
Interpol in the UK
Interpol is an international criminal police organization that unites law enforcement agencies in more than 190 countries. However, on the territory of each country, Interpol does not act as an independent body, but through a national representative office – the National Central Bureau. In the UK, this function is performed by the National Crime Agency (NCA).
The UK participates in Interpol as a full member, but Interpol does not have supranational powers within the country. These notices are not legally binding orders for arrest or extradition. All requests are assessed by the British authorities for compliance with domestic law and international obligations.
The NCA is the official representative of Interpol in the UK. The National Central Bureau is not required to automatically implement a Red Notice. It is only effective after reviewing the legality of the notice and taking into account UK law. Its functions:
- Receive, verify, and process Interpol notifications;
- Transfer of information to local law enforcement agencies;
- Coordination of interaction with international partners;
- Deciding on the possibility of detention and the need to initiate extradition proceedings.
An Interpol Red Notice is an information request issued by a member state that asks other states to temporarily detain a person pending an extradition request. Red Notice contains information about the search for a person suspected or accused of committing a serious crime.
A Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant. It is considered a formal process for additional verification of a person’s criminal activity, but not as an automatic reason for detention. For a real arrest in the UK, you need:
- Confirmation of the corresponding request from a foreign state;
- Consideration of the case by British law enforcement and judicial authorities.
- Issuance of a warrant by a British court under the Extradition Act 2003.
While in the UK, you have every right to challenge the legality of the notification in court, contact the CCF Commission with a request to cancel the notification, engage lawyers to justify the risks of extradition, and declare that the case is not politically motivated.
International crimes in the UK
International crimes in Britain are acts that:
- Breach international law or the UK’s obligations under international conventions;
- Committed within the framework of transnational schemes, covering several jurisdictions;
- Threatens global security, the economy, human rights, or international order.
Money Laundering. The UK is considered one of the most active jurisdictions in the fight against money laundering. The Criminal Finances Act 2017 and the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 POCA give the government broad powers to freeze, seize, and trace assets. Money laundering can be associated with corruption, drug trafficking, organised crime, and terrorist financing.
Terrorism. The UK has a strict counter-terrorism regime, including the Terrorism Act 2000 and the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019. Terrorism offenses include participation in terrorist organizations, financing terrorism, preparing terrorist attacks, or recruitment. These cases are overseen by MI5, the Counter-Terrorism Police, and the Home Office.
Drug Trafficking. The investigation of transnational drug trafficking is carried out by the National Crime Agency with the support of the police and customs. The UK is actively involved in joint operations with Europol, Interpol, and the UN against major drug cartels and drug supply routes into Europe.
Corruption & Bribery. According to the UK Bribery Act 2010, the UK has one of the strictest anti-corruption laws in the world. Both foreign officials and British companies doing business abroad may be under investigation. Commercial corruption, illegal financing of political structures, and bribes are all under the control of the Serious Fraud Office.
Human Trafficking. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 allows for prosecution for international human trafficking, forced labor, and sexual exploitation. The UK actively works with Europol and Interpol to identify cross-border criminal groups.
Various bodies are involved in the investigation of international crimes in the UK. The National Crime Agency handles cases of transnational organized crime, money laundering, trade people, and drugs. The Serious Fraud Office and the Office of Public Prosecutions are responsible for investigating major corruption, fraud, and commercial crimes.
UK Police Counter Terrorism Units deal with terrorist threats. Home Office and Border Force carry out border control and participate in extradition procedures. These departments work closely with foreign partners when making arrests, seizing assets abroad, and sharing intelligence.
What is an Interpol Red Notice?
An Interpol Red Notice is essentially an international alert used by Interpol to notify its member countries about a person who is wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence based on an offense they’ve committed. It’s like a global wanted poster. The notice provides important information about the individual, such as their identity details, legal reasons for their wanted status, and any other relevant legal information. However, it’s crucial to understand that a Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant. Instead, it serves as a request to locate and provisionally arrest the person in question, to extradite them based on the legal processes of the involved countries.
An Interpol Red Notice is an international request for the temporary arrest of an individual with the aim of their extradition. These notices are used to inform law enforcement agencies in various countries about individuals who are wanted. While a notice is not an arrest warrant, it significantly complicates a person’s ability to move freely, making them vulnerable to detention when crossing borders.
The danger of a red notice lies in its potential use to target political opponents or business rivals. Additionally, such a notice can impact a person’s reputation and freedom of movement, limiting their ability to travel and lead a normal life. Therefore, it’s crucial to respond promptly to these notices and seek Interpol lawyers in London to protect your rights.
Why Choose Interpol Law Firm?
Our Interpol law firm in London specializes in defending clients who have received Interpol notices. We offer a unique combination of experience, professionalism, and a personalized approach. Our advantages include:
- Expertise: our deep understanding of international law and Interpol procedures enables us to effectively protect our clients’ interests.
- Proven track record: We’ve successfully contested and removed numerous Interpol notices, providing our clients with protection and peace of mind.
- Confidentiality: We guarantee complete confidentiality for all our dealings, ensuring the protection of your personal information and reputation.
- Personalized approach: every case is unique, so we develop customized strategies that take into account all the specifics of your situation.
Removing an Interpol Red Notice
Our Interpol law firm in London offers services for the removal of the red notices Interpol. We provide a full range of services, including:
- Request for access: We submit a request for full information on your case to assess the validity of the notification.
- Preventive request to Interpol: We’re working with Interpol to prevent the issuance of a notice if there are grounds to dispute it.
- Notification removal: We work to cancel unfair notifications by using legal and diplomatic channels.
- Legal consultation: We provide comprehensive legal support and consultations on all matters related to Interpol notices.
Extradition and UK international agreements
The UK is one of the most active jurisdictions in the field of international cooperation in crime and investigation cases. Thanks to a wide network of extradition agreements and a high level of confidence in its judicial system, the country often becomes either an initiator or a participant in extradition processes.
The Extradition Act 2003 is the main legal act regulating the extradition procedure. The law divides countries with which extradition can be pursued into two categories:
Category 1 countries are those that were previously part of the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) system. Before Brexit, this included all EU countries. Following the UK’s exit from the EU, cooperation continues through separate bilateral agreements, but extradition procedures still remain simplified and expedited.
Category 2 countries on the UK extradition treaties list are all other states with which Britain has bilateral or multilateral extradition treaties. Extradition in such cases requires a lengthy legal process, including trial, possible appeals, and approval by the Home Office.
The UK court will always assess whether the request complies with human rights principles, whether it is not politically motivated, and whether the requesting state guarantees a fair trial.
Extradition proceedings in the UK are strictly regulated. The request comes from a foreign country through diplomatic channels, usually the Home Office or the National Crime Agency. If the request is compliant, the Magistrates’ Court will issue an arrest warrant.
The person is arrested, their rights are explained, and their first hearing is held within 48 hours. The court evaluates the existence of an extradition agreement, the nature of the charge (double criminalization), the evidence presented, and compliance with due process.
The court may decide to extradite. If positive, final approval is granted by the Minister of the Interior (in cases of category 2 countries). The accused has the right of appeal to the High Court and, in exceptional cases, to the UK Supreme Court.
The UK recognizes several grounds on which extradition is prohibited, even where relevant treaties are in place:
- Political motivation. The court will refuse extradition if the case is political (for example, opposition activities, participation in rallies, anti-corruption investigations), or there is a threat of persecution for political beliefs, nationality, religion, or sexual orientation.
- Risk of torture. Extradition is prohibited if the requesting state has human rights issues like a practice of torture, inhumane treatment in detention, ill-treatment of prisoners, and there is a high probability that the accused will become a victim of ill-treatment after extradition.
- Lack of a fair trial. If the judicial system of the requesting country is not independent and subject to political influence, there are no guarantees of due process, access to a lawyer, presumption of innocence, and right of appeal, extradition will be refused.
- Risk of the death penalty. The UK does not extradite to countries where the death penalty is provided unless clear guarantees are provided that this penalty will not be applied.
- Lapse of time. If many years have passed since the alleged crime and this has affected the possibility of a fair trial, the court may refuse extradition. Delay in making a request is also important, especially if it is unreasonable.
- Dual criminality. The offense specified in the request must be a criminal offense in both jurisdictions with a minimum penalty of 1 year in prison.
- Not the same thing twice. If a person has already been convicted or acquitted or has served a sentence for the same actions in another country, extradition is not possible.
Our international law firm has significant experience in extradition cases in the UK. We conduct a legal analysis of an extradition request, represent interests in UK courts, and prepare a defense at all stages of the process – from arrest to appeal.
UK and USA
The UK and US have an extradition agreement dating back to 2003, which came into force in 2007. Under the treaty, evidence of guilt is not required to extradite a person from the UK to the US, while the reverse procedure requires a higher evidentiary standard.
One of the most famous cases was that of Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks. The US sought his extradition from Britain on charges of espionage and unauthorized disclosure of classified materials. The case demonstrated how politicized extradition can be, even under existing treaties.
Great Britain and India
Cooperation between the UK and India in the field of extradition is one of the most active. The bilateral agreement allows the consideration of cases related to economic crimes, money laundering, corruption, and fraud. In recent years, India has repeatedly sent extradition requests against businessmen and politically influential individuals hiding in London.
An example would be the case Vajaya Mallya, former owner of the failed Kingfisher airline. He is accused in India of financial fraud involving billions of rupees. A British court approved his extradition in 2018, but the process was delayed due to legal challenges and procedural nuances.
UK and Russia
Extradition relations between the UK and Russia are extremely limited. Although agreements formally exist, in practice British courts practically do not extradite persons at Russia’s request. The main reason is the risk of human rights violations, the lack of guarantees of a fair trial, and the frequent use of criminal cases for political purposes.
British authorities have repeatedly stated that they cannot guarantee the security of extradited persons. The UK remains a major haven for politically persecuted individuals, including businessmen, former officials and activists.
UK and UAE
There is a formal extradition agreement with the UK and the United Arab Emirates, but in practice, requests from the Emirates are subject to strict scrutiny. The reason is systemic complaints against the UAE judicial system, including accusations of a lack of transparency, arbitrariness, and cruel conditions of detention.
British courts require strict human rights guarantees, especially when it comes to cases of money laundering and fraud or violations in the banking sector. The UAE also doesn’t always feel obligated to comply with UK’s requests.
Great Britain and China
Extradition to China from the UK is practically not carried out. The main reasons lie in human rights concerns, lack of fair trial guarantees, and the risk of torture.
Despite the economic ties between the countries, the PRC’s legal system is seen as opaque and dependent on political interests. The UK also raises concerns about the lack of an independent judiciary, limited access to lawyers, and the high likelihood of politically motivated prosecution.
Great Britain and Spain
Before the UK left the European Union, extradition with Spain was carried out under the European Arrest Warrant (EAW), which provided a fast and simplified procedure. After Brexit, cooperation continued on the basis of new bilateral agreements providing for the preservation of the foundations of mutual legal assistance.
Spain and Great Britain are actively exchanging extradition requests, especially in cases related to economic crimes, drug trafficking, and evasion of justice. The procedure now requires more formalities than under the EAW, but the parties maintain a high level of legal trust.
Great Britain and Italy
UK-Italy cooperation in the field of extradition is characterized by a high degree of trust and procedural coherence. After Brexit, agreements have been maintained between the countries, allowing extradition to continue according to a scheme close to the previous EAW rules. The UK regularly extradites people accused of organized crime, human trafficking, smuggling, and financial crimes.
Great Britain and Germany
Germany regularly sends requests for the extradition of suspects in criminal offenses, including cybercrime, fraud, and money laundering. The procedure requires more time compared to the period before Brexit, however, the general approach remains the same: in the absence of signs of human rights violations and political motivation, extradition takes place within the framework of agreed norms. British courts willingly cooperate with German colleagues, considering cases on an expedited basis.
Reach Out to Interpol Attorneys
To find out if you are on Interpol’s wanted list reach out to our lawyers. Our Interpol red notice law firm in London offers immediate assistance and consultations. Our expertise in international law and Interpol procedures ensures you reliable protection and an effective solution to your problem.
Don’t let a red notice ruin your life. Contact us today for a confidential consultation and start the process of protecting your rights and freedom.
