Paul Blanchard v Spain: Extradition, Spanish Intelligence and a Successful High Court Appeal

George Hepburne-Scott represented Paul William Donald Blanchard in extradition proceedings brought by Spain and subsequently appeared for him, led by Mark Summers QC, in the successful Divisional Court appeal in Blanchard v Juzgado de Instrucción No. 5 de la Audiencia Nacional, Spain [2021] EWHC 1776 (Admin)

The Spanish Extradition Proceedings

Paul Blanchard was sought by the Spanish authorities in connection with allegations arising from an investigation into organised crime and money laundering. The case had an unusual and complex background, including Blanchard's assertion that he had previously provided information and assistance to Spanish law-enforcement and intelligence authorities.

George Hepburne-Scott represented Blanchard in the original extradition proceedings at Westminster Magistrates' Court. The District Judge ordered his extradition to Spain, and that decision was appealed to the High Court.

The appeal raised a number of issues concerning the validity and adequacy of the European Arrest Warrant and the legal requirements governing extradition to Spain.

Successful Divisional Court Appeal

The appeal was heard by the Divisional Court and resulted in a significant victory for Blanchard. George Hepburne-Scott appeared for Blanchard alongside Mark Summers QC.

The Court considered a number of challenges to the European Arrest Warrant, including whether it adequately identified the offence for which extradition was sought and inconsistencies concerning the applicable maximum sentence.

In Blanchard v Juzgado de Instrucción No. 5 de la Audiencia Nacional, Spain [2021] EWHC 1776 (Admin), the appeal was allowed and the extradition order was quashed. Blanchard was discharged from the extradition proceedings arising from that warrant.

A Further Extradition Request from Spain

Following the successful 2021 appeal, the Spanish authorities subsequently issued a further extradition request concerning Blanchard. Extradition was again ordered at Westminster Magistrates' Court, leading to further High Court proceedings.

By this stage, Blanchard's formally instructed legal team had changed. George Hepburne-Scott was no longer formally instructed as counsel, although he continued to provide some assistance to the new legal team during aspects of the later proceedings.

The renewed proceedings formed part of the same long-running extradition dispute and continued to raise issues concerning the passage of time and Blanchard's asserted history of cooperation with the Spanish authorities.

Spain Withdraws the Extradition Request

The renewed extradition proceedings continued through a further appeal to the High Court. Blanchard was represented in the later proceedings by a new legal team, including solicitor Karen Todner.

In 2026, the Spanish authorities ultimately withdrew the extradition request. The extradition order was quashed and Blanchard was discharged, bringing the long-running proceedings to an end.

The final discharge followed several years of litigation, during which Blanchard had successfully challenged the earlier Spanish warrant in the 2021 Divisional Court proceedings in which George Hepburne-Scott had represented him.

Significance of the Blanchard Extradition Case

The Blanchard proceedings illustrate the complexity that can arise in long-running extradition litigation, particularly where successive extradition requests, challenges to the validity of an arrest warrant and unusual factual issues concerning alleged cooperation with foreign law-enforcement authorities intersect.

George Hepburne-Scott represented Blanchard throughout the original Westminster Magistrates' Court proceedings and in the successful 2021 Divisional Court appeal, led by Mark Summers QC. He also provided some assistance to the subsequent legal team during the later stages of the case.

The case forms part of George Hepburne-Scott's wider practice representing requested persons in complex and high-profile extradition proceedings and High Court extradition appeals.