European Arrest Warrants and International Extraditions

The Right Solicitor for the Job

We represent respondents in European Arrest Warrants and International extradition proceedings. These proceedings invariably occur quickly and without notice. A defendant/respondent is arrested, usually going about their daily business, and is brought to a station and informed they will be taken to the High Court that same day. Little time is available to properly deal with these complicated cases so having the right representation at an early stage is imperative. Our advice and the know-how needed to navigate extradition proceedings cannot be understated.

High Court and Bail

By using us as your legal representatives, we can advise you on the following:
1. What is this about and why you are being brought to the High Court immediately.
2. The likelihood of being granted bail pending the outcome of the extradition proceedings. This advice also includes the impact a bail application will have on the proceedings in the requesting country if you are surrendered. All possible bail conditions can be advised, including any money for bail, and how best to succeed in a bail application.
3. The likelihood of success in defending the extradition hearing and the methods used to defend these claims. Understanding how to approach these cases requires expert legal knowledge and skill. Our experience in successfully resisting these applications can help you or a family member if faced with an application by the State to have you extradited.
4. The comfort in knowing you are being advised by professionals who understand and respect the seriousness of these types of cases. We take our role as legal advisers in this area of practice seriously and appreciate the outcome of these matters will significantly impact the lives of many people.

Arrest and Information

The State, via the High Court and the Minister for Justice, will have received information from the arresting country. Once received, the State, via the Gardaí, will arrest the defendant. Once arrested there will be an outline in the information as to the reasons for the arrest. It should contain the details on the requesting country, the reasons for the arrest and all relevant information related to why the defendant is to be arrested and extradited.

These cases someone who is face trial in the requesting country; sometimes it involves a defendant who has been convicted and is to be sentenced. 

The most common arrests in Ireland involve cases to the continent, under the European Arrest Warrant process, or to the United Kingdom. There is an international agreement in place to the with Ireland and the UK for these matters and Brexit has not prevented the extradition of defendants from Ireland to the UK. This has been upheld by the courts in this jurisdiction and by the European Court of Justice (ECJ). 

If you have a case involving extradition proceedings to the United Kingdom, Europe, USA or any other country; or if you are worried about something related, please contact us immediately as we can help.