Extradition Act 2003

Extradition Act 2003 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 16 September 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date.

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the affected provisions when you open the content using the Table of Contents below.

Changes and effects yet to be applied to :

s. 11(1)(j) inserted by 2006 c. 48Sch. 13para. 4(1)(a) (Amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Amending provision 2006 c. 48, Sch. 13 para. 4 repealed (14/10/2013) by 2013 c. 22, Sch. 20 para. 9)
s. 11(2) words substituted by 2006 c. 48Sch. 13para. 4(1)(b) (Amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Amending provision 2006 c. 48, Sch. 13 para. 4 repealed (14/10/2013) by 2013 c. 22, Sch. 20 para. 9)
s. 19B inserted by 2006 c. 48Sch. 13para. 4(2) (Amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Amending provision 2006 c. 48, Sch. 13 para. 4 repealed (14/10/2013) by 2013 c. 22, Sch. 20 para. 9)
s. 79(1)(e) inserted by 2006 c. 48Sch. 13para. 5(1)(a) (Amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Amending provision 2006 c. 48, Sch. 13 para. 5 repealed (14/10/2013) by 2013 c. 22, Sch. 20 para. 9)
s. 79(2) words substituted by 2006 c. 48Sch. 13para. 5(1)(b) (Amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Amending provision 2006 c. 48, Sch. 13 para. 5 repealed (14/10/2013) by 2013 c. 22, Sch. 20 para. 9)
s. 83A inserted by 2006 c. 48Sch. 13para. 5(2) (Amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Amending provision 2006 c. 48, Sch. 13 para. 5 repealed (14/10/2013) by 2013 c. 22, Sch. 20 para. 9)
s. 184 repealed by S.I. 2005/1965 (N.I.)Sch. 2
s. 185 repealed by S.I. 2005/1965 (N.I.)Sch. 2
s. 223(6)(a) words inserted by 2014 c. 12Sch. 11para. 122
s. 226(4) repealed by S.I. 2005/1965 (N.I.)Sch. 2

Introductory Text
Part 1 Extradition to category 1 territories
1. Introduction
  1. 1.Extradition to category 1 territories
  2. 2.Part 1 warrant and certificate
  1. 3.Arrest under certified Part 1 warrant
  2. 4.Person arrested under Part 1 warrant
  3. 5.Provisional arrest
  4. 6.Person arrested under section 5
  1. 7.Identity of person arrested
  2. 8.Remand etc.
  3. 8A.Person charged with offence in United Kingdom before extradition hearing
  4. 8B.Person serving sentence in United Kingdom before extradition hearing
  1. 9.Judge’s powers at extradition hearing
  2. 10.Initial stage of extradition hearing
  3. 11.Bars to extradition
  4. 12.Rule against double jeopardy
  5. 12A.Absence of prosecution decision
  6. 13.Extraneous considerations
  7. 14.Passage of time
  8. 15.Age
  9. 16.Hostage-taking considerations
  10. 17.Speciality
  11. 18.Earlier extradition to United Kingdom from category 1 territory
  12. 19.Earlier extradition to United Kingdom from non-category 1 territory
  13. 19A.Earlier transfer to United Kingdom by International Criminal Court
  14. 19B.Forum
  15. 19C.Effect of prosecutor's certificates on forum proceedings
  16. 19D.Prosecutor's certificates
  17. 19E.Questioning of prosecutor's certificate
  18. 19F.Interpretation of sections 19B to 19E
  19. 20.Case where person has been convicted
  20. 21.Person unlawfully at large: human rights
  21. 21A.Person not convicted: human rights and proportionality
  22. 21B.Request for temporary transfer etc
  1. 22.Person charged with offence in United Kingdom
  2. 23.Person serving sentence in United Kingdom
  3. 24.Extradition request
  4. 25.Physical or mental condition
  1. 26.Appeal against extradition order
  2. 27.Court’s powers on appeal under section 26
  3. 28.Appeal against discharge at extradition hearing
  4. 29.Court’s powers on appeal under section 28
  5. 30.Detention pending conclusion of appeal under section 28
  6. 30A.Detention pending conclusion of appeal under section 28: Scotland
  7. 31.Appeal to High Court: time limit for start of hearing
  8. 32.Appeal to Supreme Court
  9. 33.Powers of Supreme Court on appeal under section 32
  10. 33ZA.Scottish devolution issue: remand in custody or on bail
  11. 33A.Detention pending conclusion of certain appeals under section 32
  12. 33B.Detention pending conclusion of appeals relating to devolution issues
  13. 34.Appeals: general
  1. 35.Extradition where no appeal
  2. 36.Extradition following appeal
  3. 36A.Extradition following appeal: Scotland
  4. 36B.Judge informed after extradition hearing that person is charged with offence in United Kingdom
  5. 36C.Judge informed after extradition hearing that person is serving sentence in United Kingdom
  6. 37.Undertaking in relation to person serving sentence in United Kingdom
  7. 38.Extradition following deferral for competing claim
  8. 39.Asylum claim
  9. 40.Certificate in respect of asylum claimant
  1. 41.Withdrawal of warrant before extradition
  2. 42.Withdrawal of warrant whileapplication or appeal to High Court pending
  3. 43.Withdrawal of warrant while appeal to Supreme Court pending
  1. 44.Competing Part 1 warrants
  1. 45.Consent to extradition
  2. 46.Extradition order following consent
  3. 47.Extradition to category 1 territory following consent
  4. 48.Other warrant issued following consent
  5. 49.Other warrant issued: extradition to category 1 territory
  6. 50.Other warrant issued: proceedings deferred
  7. 51.Extradition request following consent
  8. 52.Undertaking in relation to person serving sentence
  9. 53.Extradition following deferral for competing claim
  1. 54.Request for consent to other offence being dealt with
  2. 55.Questions for decision at consent hearing
  3. 56.Request for consent to further extradition to category 1 territory
  4. 57.Questions for decision at consent hearing
  5. 58.Consent to further extradition to category 2 territory
  6. 59.Return of person to serve remainder of sentence
  1. 60.Costs where extradition ordered
  2. 61.Costs where discharge ordered
  3. 62.Costs where discharge ordered: supplementary
  4. 62A.Appropriate amount: England and Wales
  5. 62B.Legal costs: England and Wales
  1. 63.Persons serving sentences outside territory where convicted
  1. 64.Extradition offences: person not sentenced for offence
  2. 65.Extradition offences: person sentenced for offence
  3. 66.Extradition offences: supplementary
  4. 67.The appropriate judge
  5. 68.The extradition hearing
  6. 68A.Unlawfully at large
  1. Introduction
    1. 69.Extradition to category 2 territories
    2. 70.Extradition request and certificate
    1. 71.Arrest warrant following extradition request
    2. 72.Person arrested under section 71
    3. 73.Provisional warrant
    4. 74.Person arrested under provisional warrant
    1. 74A.Provisional arrest where certificate issued under section 74B
    2. 74B.Certificates enabling provisional arrest under section 74A
    3. 74C.Section 74B supplementary: valid requests for arrest
    4. 74D.Person provisionally arrested under section 74A
    5. 74E.Person provisionally arrested under section 74A: next steps
    1. 75.Date of extradition hearing: arrest under section 71
    2. 76.Date of extradition hearing: arrest under provisional warrant or under section 74A
    3. 76A.Person charged with offence in United Kingdom before extradition hearing
    4. 76B.Person serving sentence in United Kingdom before extradition hearing
    5. 77.Judge’s powers at extradition hearing
    6. 78.Initial stages of extradition hearing
    7. 79.Bars to extradition
    8. 80.Rule against double jeopardy
    9. 81.Extraneous considerations
    10. 82.Passage of time
    11. 83.Hostage-taking considerations
    12. 83A.Forum
    13. 83B.Effect of prosecutor's certificates on forum proceedings
    14. 83C.Prosecutor's certificates
    15. 83D.Questioning of prosecutor's certificate
    16. 83E.Interpretation of sections 83A to 83D
    17. 84.Case where person has not been convicted
    18. 85.Case where person has been convicted
    19. 86.Conviction in person’s absence
    20. 87.Human rights
    21. 88.Person charged with offence in United Kingdom
    22. 89.Person serving sentence in United Kingdom
    23. 90.Competing extradition claim
    24. 91.Physical or mental condition
    25. 92.Case sent to Secretary of State
    1. 93.Secretary of State’s consideration of case
    2. 94.Death penalty
    3. 95.Speciality
    4. 96.Earlier extradition to United Kingdom from other territory
    5. 96A.Earlier transfer to United Kingdom by International Criminal Court
    6. 97.Deferral: person charged with offence in United Kingdom
    7. 98.Deferral: person serving sentence in United Kingdom
    8. 99.Time limit for order for extradition or discharge
    9. 100.Information
    10. 101.Making of order for extradition or discharge
    11. 102.The appropriate day
    1. 103.Appeal where case sent to Secretary of State
    2. 104.Court’s powers on appeal under section 103
    3. 105.Appeal against discharge at extradition hearing
    4. 106.Court’s powers on appeal under section 105
    5. 107.Detention pending conclusion of appeal under section 105
    6. 107A.Detention pending conclusion of appeal under section 105: Scotland
    7. 108.Appeal against extradition order
    8. 109.Court’s powers on appeal under section 108
    9. 110.Appeal against discharge by Secretary of State
    10. 111.Court’s powers on appeal under section 110
    11. 112.Detention pending conclusion of appeal under section 110
    12. 112A.Detention pending conclusion of appeal under section 110: Scotland
    13. 113.Appeal to High Court: time limit for start of hearing
    14. 114.Appeal to Supreme Court
    15. 115.Powers of Supreme Court on appeal under section 114
    16. 115A.Detention pending conclusion of certain appeals under section 114
    17. 115B.Detention pending conclusion of appeals relating to devolution issues
    18. 116.Appeals: general
    1. 117.Extradition where no appeal
    2. 118.Extradition following appeal
    3. 118A.Extradition following appeal: Scotland
    4. 118B.Scottish devolution issue: remand in custody or on bail
    5. 118C.Judge informed after extradition order that person is charged with offence in United Kingdom
    6. 118D.Judge informed after extradition order that person is serving sentence in United Kingdom
    7. 119.Undertaking in relation to person serving sentence in United Kingdom
    8. 120.Extradition following deferral for competing claim
    9. 121.Asylum claim
    1. 122.Withdrawal of request before end of extradition hearing
    2. 123.Withdrawal of request after case sent to Secretary of State
    3. 124.Withdrawal of request whileapplication or appeal to High Court pending
    4. 125.Withdrawal of request while appeal to Supreme Court pending
    1. 126.Competing extradition requests
    1. 127.Consent to extradition: general
    2. 128.Consent to extradition before case sent to Secretary of State
    1. 129.Consent to other offence being dealt with
    2. 130.Consent to further extradition to category 2 territory
    3. 131.Consent to further extradition to category 1 territory
    4. 132.Return of person to serve remainder of sentence
    1. 133.Costs where extradition ordered
    2. 134.Costs where discharge ordered
    3. 135.Costs where discharge ordered: supplementary
    4. 135A.Appropriate amount: England and Wales
    5. 135B.Legal costs: England and Wales
    1. 136.Persons serving sentences outside territory where convicted
    1. 137.Extradition offences: person not sentenced for offence
    2. 138.Extradition offences: person sentenced for offence
    3. 139.The appropriate judge
    4. 140.The extradition hearing
    5. 140A.Unlawfully at large
    6. 141.Scotland: references to Secretary of State
    1. Extradition from category 1 territories
      1. 142.Issue of Part 3 warrant
      2. 143.Undertaking in relation to person serving sentence
      3. 144.Return to extraditing territory to serve sentence
      4. 145.Service of sentence in territory executing Part 3 warrant
      5. 146.Dealing with person for other offences
      6. 147.Effect of consent to extradition to the United Kingdom
      7. 148.Extradition offences
      8. 149.The appropriate judge
      1. 150.Dealing with person for other offences: Commonwealth countries etc.
      2. 151.Dealing with person for other offences: other category 2 territories
      1. 151A.Dealing with person for other offences
      2. 151B.Detention of person for trial in England and Wales for other offences
      3. 152.Remission of punishment for other offences
      4. 153.Return of person acquitted or not tried
      5. 153A.Undertaking in relation to person serving sentence
      6. 153B.Return of person in pursuance of undertaking
      7. 153C.Return to extraditing territory to serve sentence
      8. 153D.Sections 153A and 153C etc : supplementary
      9. 154.Restriction on bail where undertaking given by Secretary of State
      10. 155.Service personnel
      11. 155A.Category 1 territories not applying Trade and Cooperation Agreement to old cases
      1. Warrants and orders
        
        156.Search and seizure warrants
        
        157.Production orders
        
        158.Requirements for making of production order
        
        159.Computer information
        
        160.Warrants: special procedure material and excluded material
        
        161.Entry and search of premises for purposes of arrest
        
        162.Entry and search of premises on arrest
        
        163.Search of person on arrest
        
        164.Entry and search of premises after arrest
        
        165.Additional seizure powers
        
        166.Fingerprints and samples
        
        167.Searches and examination
        
        168.Photographs
        
        169.Evidence of identity: England and Wales
        
        170.Evidence of identity: Northern Ireland
        
        171.Other treatment and rights
        
        172.Delivery of seized property
        
        173.Codes of practice
        
        174.Interpretation
        
        175.Customs officers
        
        176.Service policemen
        
        British overseas territories
        
        177.Extradition from British overseas territories
        
        178.Extradition to British overseas territories
        
        179.Competing claims to extradition
        
        180.Proceedings on deferred warrant or request
        
        181.Proceedings where extradition deferred
        
        182.Legal advice, assistance and representation: England and Wales
        
        183.Legal aid: Scotland
        
        184.Grant of free legal aid: Northern Ireland
        
        185.Free legal aid: supplementary
        
        186.Re-extradition: preliminary
        
        187.Re-extradition hearing
        
        188.Re-extradition to category 1 territories
        
        189.Re-extradition to category 2 territories
        
        189A.Facilitating transit through the United Kingdom
        
        189B.Unscheduled arrival in the United Kingdom
        
        189C.Exercise of the extradition transit powers
        
        189D.Codes of practice
        
        189E.Sections 189A to 189D: interpretation
        
        190.Crown Prosecution Service: role in extradition proceedings
        
        191.Lord Advocate: role in extradition proceedings
        
        192.Northern Ireland DPP and Crown Solicitor: role in extradition proceedings
        
        193.Parties to international Conventions
        
        194.Special extradition arrangements
        
        195.Human rights: appropriate tribunal
        
        196.Genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes
        
        197.Custody
        
        197A.Extradition of serving prisoner
        
        198.Bail: England and Wales
        
        199.Bail: Scotland
        
        200.Appeal against grant of bail
        
        201.Remand to local authority accommodation
        
        202.Receivable documents
        
        203.Documents sent by facsimile
        
        204.Warrant issued by category 1 territory: transmission by other electronic means
        
        205.Written statements and admissions
        
        206.Burden and standard of proof
        
        206A.Use of live links at . hearings
        
        206B.Live links: supplementary
        
        206C.Live links: interpretation
        
        207.Extradition for more than one offence
        
        208.National security
        
        209.Reasonable force
        
        210.Rules of court
        
        211.Service of notices
        
        212.Article 95 alerts: transitional provision
        
        213.Disposal of Part 1 warrant and extradition request
        
        214.Disposal of charge
        
        215.Trade and Cooperation Agreement list
        
        216.Other interpretative provisions
        
        217.Form of documents
        
        218.Existing legislation on extradition
        
        219.Amendments
        
        220.Repeals
        
        221.Commencement
        
        222.Channel Islands and Isle of Man
        
        223.Orders and regulations
        
        224.Orders in Council
        
        225.Finance
        
        226.Extent
        
        227.Short title
        
        SCHEDULE A1Specified category 2 territories
        
        Australia Austria Belgium Bulgaria Canada Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark.
        
        Part 1 Category 1 territories
        
        1.In section 11(1), omit paragraphs (c), (g) and (h).
        
        2.Omit sections 14, 18 and 19.
        
        3.In section 21(3) and section 21A(5), for “must” substitute “.
        
        4.In section 31(2), for paragraphs (a) and (b) substitute “.
        
        5.In section 39(2)(a), for “a certificate is issued under section.
        
        6.In section 44(2)(a), for “following his arrest under this Part”.
        
        7.In section 45(1), for the words from “arrested” to “issued”.
        
        8.In section 78, omit subsections (2), (3), (5) and (8).
        
        9.In section 78, for subsection (4) substitute—
        
        10.In section 78(6), for “any of the questions” substitute “.
        
        11.In section 78(7), for “those questions” substitute “ that question.
        
        12.In section 79(1), omit paragraph (c).
        
        13.Omit section 82.
        
        14.In section 87(3), for the words from “must send the.
        
        15.In section 87, after subsection (3) insert—
        
        16.In section 103(1)— (a) for the words from “sends a.
        
        17.In section 103(2), for the words from “the person” to.
        
        18.In section 103, omit subsections (3), (5), (6), (7) and.
        
        19.In section 103(9), for the words from “the Secretary of.
        
        20.In section 104, omit subsections (1)(b), (6) and (7).
        
        21.In section 106, omit subsections (1)(b), (7) and (8).
        
        22.In section 117(1)(a), for “the Secretary of State” substitute “.
        
        23.In section 117(1)(b), for the words from “permitted period” to.
        
        24.In section 117, after subsection (1) insert—
        
        25.In section 117(2), for “the Secretary of State” substitute “.
        
        26.In section 119(1)(a), for “the Secretary of State” substitute “.
        
        27.In section 119, in subsections (2) to (6) and in.
        
        28.In section 120, after subsection (1) insert—
        
        29.In section 121(2)(a), for “a certificate is issued under section.
        
        30.In section 127(1), for the words from “arrested” to “requested”.
        
        31.In section 127(3), before paragraph (a) insert—
        
        32.In section 127, omit subsections (4) and (5).
        
        33.In section 128, after subsection (1) insert—
        
        34.In section 128(4), for the words from “send the case”.
        
        35.In section 128, after subsection (5) insert—
        
        36.After section 128 insert— Extradition to category 2 territory following.
        
        1.Participation in a criminal organisation.
        
        2.Terrorism.
        
        3.Trafficking in human beings.
        
        4.Sexual exploitation of children and child pornography.
        
        5.Illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
        
        6.Illicit trafficking in weapons, munitions and explosives.
        
        7.Corruption , including bribery.
        
        8.Fraud, including that affecting the financial interests of the European.
        
        9.Laundering of the proceeds of crime.
        
        10.Counterfeiting currency, including of the euro.
        
        11.Computer-related crime.
        
        12.Environmental crime, including illicit trafficking in endangered animal species and.
        
        13.Facilitation of unauthorised entry and residence.
        
        14.Murder, grievous bodily injury.
        
        15.Illicit trade in human organs and tissue.
        
        16.Kidnapping, illegal restraint and hostage-taking.
        
        17.Racism and xenophobia.
        
        18.Organised or armed robbery.
        
        19.Illicit trafficking in cultural goods, including antiques and works of.
        
        20.Swindling.
        
        21.Racketeering and extortion.
        
        22.Counterfeiting and piracy of products.
        
        23.Forgery of administrative documents and trafficking therein.
        
        24.Forgery of means of payment.
        
        25.Illicit trafficking in hormonal substances and other growth promoters.
        
        26.Illicit trafficking in nuclear or radioactive materials.
        
        27.Trafficking in stolen vehicles.
        
        28.Rape.
        
        29.Arson.
        
        30.Crimes within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.
        
        31.Unlawful seizure of aircraft/ships/spacecraft.
        
        32.Sabotage.
        
        Introduction
        
        1.The amendments specified in this Schedule shall have effect.
        
        2.In Schedule 3 to the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (c.
        
        3.Section 34 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967 (c. 80).
        
        4.Sections 1 (offences not to be regarded as of a.
        
        5.For section 5 of the Suppression of Terrorism Act 1978.
        
        6.Section 22(1) of the Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Act 1990.
        
        7.Section 15 of the Computer Misuse Act 1990 (c. 18).
        
        8.Section 49 of the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990.
        
        9.In section 47 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c.
        
        10.Section 6(1) of the United Nations Personnel Act 1997 (c.
        
        11.Section 64(5) of the Terrorism Act 2000 (c. 11) (offences.
        
        12.Section 71 of the International Criminal Court Act 2001 (c.
        
        13.(1) Part 2 of Schedule 2 to the International Criminal.
        
        14.Section 191 of the Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40) (offences.