New rules change how extradition courts consider trials in absence and rights to a retrial. The arrest date determines whether the amendments apply.

Looking for an extradition solicitor or specialist extradition lawyer? George Hepburne-Scott is an experienced extradition barrister representing clients in complex UK extradition proceedings and appeals.

George Hepburne-Scott acted as sole counsel for Sundar Nagarajan in US extradition proceedings arising from an international investigation involving alleged terrorist financing, sanctions and links to Hezbollah.

George Hepburne-Scott represents Joe Chappell in the first extradition request from Japan to the UK, a landmark case involving human rights, Japanese detention conditions and diplomatic assurances.

George Hepburne Scott was hand-picked to represent Mr Modi at a bail hearing in this landmark extradition case. George Hepburne Scott's representation was reported globally: The Guardian - Diamond Tycoon arrested in London The Telegraph - India's most wanted businessman arrested The Times - Fugitive diamond magnate case Fox News - Indian diamond tycoon arrested in London over alleged role in $2bn banking scandal Daily Mail - Fugitive diamond tycoon arrested in London re $2bn

George Hepburne-Scott represented Paul Blanchard in a successful Divisional Court extradition appeal against Spain, part of a long-running case involving successive extradition requests and alleged cooperation with Spanish authorities.

George Hepburne-Scott represented Michal Herba in the UK extradition proceedings arising from the high-profile Chloe Ayling kidnapping case.

The first UK prosecution arising from the 1994 Rwandan genocide follows two unsuccessful attempts to extradite Dr Vincent Brown to Rwanda. We examine the 2009 and 2017 High Court judgments and the significance of the new UK charges.

George Hepburne-Scott represented two applicants in Chromczuk & Ors v Polish Judicial Authority [2026] EWHC 2276 (Admin), a High Court extradition case examining Article 3 ECHR and current evidence concerning prison conditions in Poland.

George Hepburne-Scott represented the appellant in Badea v Romania, a reported High Court extradition case concerning Article 8 ECHR and proportionality under the post-Brexit UK-EU extradition framework.

George Hepburne-Scott represented the successful appellant in Fedorowicz v Lithuania, a significant High Court extradition case concerning dual criminality and the territorial scope of section 45 of the Serious Crime Act 2015.

The Chief Magistrate discharged an extradition request from Ukraine after finding that extradition would disproportionately interfere with M.K.'s private and family life under Article 8 ECHR.

On 18 June 2026, in A.M. v Poland (Ref: AC-2025-LON-004580), George Hepburne-Scott secured the successful discharge of his client in the High Court on appeal against extradition to Poland. The case arose from a Polish extradition request based upon an aggregate sentence of eight years’ imprisonment imposed in respect of 64 offences. The Appellant’s previous solicitors and counsel had lodged an application for permission to appeal but subsequently ceased acting and advised the

Expertise in Extradition Matters George Hepburne-Scott of UK Extradition Lawyer has secured significant successes in two separate extradition matters before the High Court. His expertise in this niche field is evident in the outcomes he has achieved for his clients. N.C. v France: A Complex Case In the case of N.C. v France, George contested the extradition request on behalf of his client. He advanced substantial and complex arguments under sections 2 and 12A of the Extraditi

George Hepburne-Scott has been ranked as a Leading Junior for Extradition in The Legal 500 UK Bar Guide 2026, recognising his specialist practice in extradition law.

George Hepburne Scott has provided comment in The Independent and The Mirror on the challenges in extraditing the prime suspect in the Madeleine McCann case, German citizen Christian Brueckner, to the UK to face trial. "Because he is a German citizen, Germany is highly unlikely to extradite him to the UK. Under the German Basic Law and the post-Brexit EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, Germany can refuse to surrender its own nationals, and in practice it does. If there is

On 16 February 2026, George Hepburne-Scott's client was discharged by a District Judge at Westminster Magistrates' Court. The defendant had faced a sentence of 3 years' immediate custody on the basis of an Extradition Arrest Warrant issued by Romania for historical driving offences including a breach of a suspended sentence. The Romanian authorities had tried previously to extradite the defendant in 2017 but had failed to issue an assurance re prison conditions (that is now m

On 7 May 2026, George Hepburne Scott secured a successful outcome for his client at a High Court extradition appeal Poland v R.J. The case involved an application to re-open the appeal following the receipt of fresh evidence. There followed a complex series of applications to (a) re-open the appeal, (b) admit fresh evidence, and (c) order fresh social services reports. Ultimately the case revolved around the best interests of a 15-year-old boy, whom the Appellant was the sole

George Hepburne Scott of UK Extradition Lawyer had a great win in the High court in a recent Romanian Extradition case. Judgment in the case of MB v Romania was handed down on 14 June 2024 and can be viewed here Mr Justice Julian Knowles in his judgment noted that the appeal was brought with the permission of Hill J against the order for MB’s extradition to Romania made by District Judge Minhas on 8 March 2023. MB’s extradition was sought to serve a combined sentence for driv

On 9 July 2024 our client was discharged by Mrs Justice Heather Williams (the High Court judge) in the High Court on an extradition appeal in the case or J.N. v Poland. George Hepburne Scott had argued that the decision of the district judge at Westminster Magistrates’ Court was incorrect and the High Court judge agreed. Essentially, the district judge had not given enough weight to the unexplained passage on time (14 years) during which (although technically a fugitive) the