Trial

Extradition is one of the most stressful experiences anyone can face. For those accused of a crime in the United Kingdom while living overseas, the process can drag on for years. Many people throw everything they have – emotionally, financially, and physically – into fighting extradition in the country where they are living.

But there’s a common misunderstanding here. Fighting extradition is not the same as fighting the underlying criminal charges in the UK. Extradition proceedings only decide whether or not you will be sent back. They do not determine your guilt or innocence. And all too often, people spend huge sums of money battling to remain abroad without putting any thought into how they will face the actual case once they eventually arrive back in Britain.

This article explains why it is crucial to think about your defence in the UK at the same time as you contest extradition overseas – and why early action can make a huge difference to the outcome of your case.

Extradition: What It Really Means

When someone is wanted in the UK to face investigation or charges, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the police can apply for extradition. Depending on the country you are in, this may involve lengthy hearings, appeals, and negotiations between governments.

What extradition proceedings do not do is test the evidence against you. You could spend years and thousands of pounds fighting extradition overseas, only to find that when you eventually arrive back in Britain the case is still waiting, untouched. In fact, some cases have collapsed in the UK because the evidence was weak – but only after the accused had already endured years of uncertainty abroad.

The Missed Opportunity

Time and again we see people who have invested every penny into resisting extradition, believing they were fighting the allegations themselves. Only when their final appeal is lost – sometimes after five, six, or even ten years – do they finally pick up the phone in a panic to secure representation in the UK.

That last-minute scramble is better than leaving things to chance with a duty solicitor on arrival, but it is far from ideal. By the time extradition is approved, much of the damage is already done. Key opportunities to influence the charging decision or challenge the evidence may have been lost.

What Could Have Been Done Earlier

Had even a fraction of the resources spent abroad been redirected towards building a UK defence strategy, the outcome might have been very different.

While your overseas legal team fights the extradition request, a UK-based defence consultant or solicitor can:

– Open a dialogue with the police and CPS.
– Make pre-charge representations to challenge weak evidence.
– Request disclosure and press investigators to follow up on reasonable lines of enquiry.
– Collect and preserve evidence in your favour before it disappears.
– Ensure your side of the story is on record long before you set foot on British soil.

In some cases, we have seen charges dropped entirely while extradition proceedings were still ongoing. That means years of stress, expense, and delay could have been avoided if someone had been working on the UK end from the very start.

The Importance of Dual Strategy

If you are facing extradition, think of it as a two-front battle. On one front, your foreign lawyers challenge the extradition request in the courts of the country you are living in. On the other, your UK defence team works to undermine the case here at home.

This dual approach does not just double your chances – it changes the whole dynamic. If prosecutors see that the evidence is being tested, that holes are being exposed, and that you have a credible defence already underway, they may decide the case is not strong enough to pursue. That could bring the matter to an end before the extradition process even finishes.

What If You Can’t Afford Private Representation?

Not everyone has the funds for private defence work in the UK while also paying for overseas lawyers. But that should not stop you from making contact.

Even where funding is limited, we can:

– Brief you on the extradition process and what to expect on return.
– Advise on what to say – and what not to say – to escorting officers during the flight back.
– Ensure that quality legal aid representation is in place for your arrival in the UK.
– Provide guidance so you are not blindsided at the airport or in the police station.

Sometimes the smallest bit of preparation makes the biggest difference. Walking into the UK system informed and prepared is far better than being thrown straight into the deep end.

Why Early Contact Matters

The earlier you reach out for help in the UK, the more options you will have. A well-planned defence strategy can:

– Shorten the investigation process.
– Reduce the risk of unnecessary bail conditions.
– Protect your reputation by heading off weak allegations.
– Give you peace of mind that someone is fighting your corner here while you are occupied abroad.

Waiting until the last few weeks before extradition is enforced means you are always on the back foot. Early contact allows us to take control of the narrative, rather than being dragged along by it.

Extradition is gruelling – financially, emotionally, and personally. But don’t fall into the trap of thinking that the extradition fight is the same as fighting the criminal case. It isn’t. Unless someone is working in the UK on your behalf, the case here just sits waiting for you, no matter how long you delay the inevitable abroad.

Even limited engagement with a UK-based defence team during the extradition process can mean the difference between walking into a prepared defence or arriving completely unarmed.

If you or someone you know is facing extradition to the UK, get in touch as soon as possible. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

The vast majority of sexual offences have no time limit on when charges can be brought. You will regularly see in the media cases where the allegations were of offences a great many years ago. The prosecution are however entitled to bring such charges if they believe that there is a realistic prospect of conviction and that the prosecution is in the public interest. Instructing a good solicitor is important as their work will be key in making the best representations on your behalf.

Immediately seek legal representation. Engaging a professional with the expertise that you need and who will guide you through every step could result in a marked and crucial difference in the outcome of your case. See our section on police station representation and solicitors 

You are putting yourself at great risk if you do this without first speaking to a solicitor. If the police want to talk to you then you are entitled free of charge to have a solicitor present in questioning. Check the legal help section if you don’t already have a lawyer.

Putting it simply. No you should not, at least without the advice of a solicitor. The police are duty bound to investigate any report of a sexual offence. If you report people for making false rumours the police will need you to tell them what the rumours are. Once you have told them you have reported yourself for the content of the rumours and they must investigate. Police often view this “self reporting” as a sign of guilt effectively they will claim you were getting your story in first. If there are false rumours circulating about you and you know what it is the rumours are alleging then simply gather and secure any evidence you have that proves your innocence. Screenshot media, write a time line of your involvement with that person. Do not delete any media from your devices as this action when discovered by forensics may be viewed as suspicious. Identify a solicitor (see our Legal Help section) and contact them to advise them what is happening. They will not likely be able to do anything but remember for their name for if you are called in or arrested for questioning. Request this solicitor to the police to be present during questioning.

Begin compiling evidence as soon as possible. Many find the process therapeutic. 

Keep notes of every tiny detail that occurs to you. Note times and dates of everything. 

Develop a timeline for what happened when you have details of the accusation. Look for evidence of your whereabouts and your accuser’s whereabouts. 

Save letters, record telephone calls and even conversations with your False Accuser or people harassing you – even the police. Try to get hard copies of all information – encourage mail or email communications rather than telephone. Give a copy of everything to someone you trust – and your solicitor. In the remote chance of an accuser or a member of their family contacting you by phone – be ready and record the conversation – there is a smartphone app that enables this. 

Copy all electronic media. Save all text messages. Download all your Facebook activity and other Social Media. Facebook saves messages even if you’re ‘unfriended’. Take screenshots. Monitor Social Media activity of your accuser and their friends (without communicating with them). Take screenshots. 

NOW!!!!! The sooner you start this the better. As soon as you know there is an accusation against you. Make a time line of your history with the party accusing you. Secure by means of download and screenshots anything that may assist your defence. Do not delete anything from your devices doing so, if your phones end up been seized may look suspicious. Keep any evidence you gather in a safe place. We do advise with a trusted person in a different residence. Alternatively in cloud storage is good. You can turn the sign in credentials over to your solicitor. You could also email a copy to yourself. Simply put keep the evidence safe as you may come to depend on it.