OpenLegislation

Extradition Act 2003

2003 c. 41 · Enacted 20 November 2003 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 4 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 29 September 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 184repealedThe Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 Sch. 2
s. 185repealedThe Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 Sch. 2
s. 226(4)repealedThe Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 Sch. 2
s. 223(6)(a)words insertedAnti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 Sch. 11 para. 122

C1An Act to make provision about extradition.

[20th November 2003]

Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—C2C3C4C5

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act modified (1.1.2004) by The Extradition Act 2003 (Multiple Offences) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/3150), art. 2(2), Sch.

C2

Act extended (with modifications) (Overseas territories) (10.11.2016) by The Extradition Act 2003 (Overseas Territories) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/990), arts. 1(2), 3(1), Schs. 1, 3

C3

Act extended (with modifications) (Overseas territories) (10.11.2016) by The Extradition Act 2003 (Overseas Territories) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/990), arts. 1(1), 3(2), Schs. 1, 4

C4

Act modified (16.3.2020) by The Extradition Act 2003 (Amendments to Designations) Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/265), arts. 1(1), 3

C5

Act applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (13.3.2024) by The Crime and Courts Act 2013 (Application and Modification of the Extradition Act 2003) (England and Wales) Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/175), arts. 1(3), 3

Contents

  1. Part 1: Extradition to category 1 territories
  2. Introduction
  3. 1Extradition to category 1 territories
  4. 2Part 1 warrant and certificate
  5. Arrest
  6. 3Arrest under certified Part 1 warrant
  7. 4Person arrested under Part 1 warrant
  8. 5Provisional arrest
  9. 6Person arrested under section 5
  10. The initial hearing
  11. 7Identity of person arrested
  12. 8Remand etc.
  13. 8APerson charged with offence in United Kingdom before extradition hearing
  14. 8BPerson serving sentence in United Kingdom before extradition hearing
  15. The extradition hearing
  16. 9Judge’s powers at extradition hearing
  17. 10Initial stage of extradition hearing
  18. 11Bars to extradition
  19. 12Rule against double jeopardy
  20. 12AAbsence of prosecution decision
  21. 13Extraneous considerations
  22. 14Passage of time
  23. 15Age
  24. 16Hostage-taking considerations Repealed
  25. 17Speciality
  26. 18Earlier extradition to United Kingdom from category 1 territory
  27. 19Earlier extradition to United Kingdom from non-category 1 territory
  28. 19AEarlier transfer to United Kingdom by International Criminal Court
  29. 19BForum
  30. 19CEffect of prosecutor's certificates on forum proceedings
  31. 19DProsecutor's certificates
  32. 19EQuestioning of prosecutor's certificate
  33. 19FInterpretation of sections 19B to 19E
  34. 20Case where person has been convicted
  35. 21Person unlawfully at large: human rights
  36. 21APerson not convicted: human rights and proportionality
  37. 21BRequest for temporary transfer etc
  38. Matters arising before end of extradition hearing
  39. 22Person charged with offence in United Kingdom
  40. 23Person serving sentence in United Kingdom
  41. 24Extradition request
  42. 25Physical or mental condition
  43. Appeals
  44. 26Appeal against extradition order
  45. 27Court’s powers on appeal under section 26
  46. 28Appeal against discharge at extradition hearing
  47. 29Court’s powers on appeal under section 28
  48. 30Detention pending conclusion of appeal under section 28
  49. 30ADetention pending conclusion of appeal under section 28: Scotland
  50. 31Appeal to High Court: time limit for start of hearing
  51. 32Appeal to Supreme Court
  52. 33Powers of Supreme Court on appeal under section 32
  53. 33ZAScottish devolution issue: remand in custody or on bail
  54. 33ADetention pending conclusion of certain appeals under section 32
  55. 33BDetention pending conclusion of appeals relating to devolution issues
  56. 34Appeals: general
  57. Time for extradition
  58. 35Extradition where no appeal
  59. 36Extradition following appeal
  60. 36AExtradition following appeal: Scotland
  61. 36BJudge informed after extradition hearing that person is charged with offence in United Kingdom
  62. 36CJudge informed after extradition hearing that person is serving sentence in United Kingdom
  63. 37Undertaking in relation to person serving sentence in United Kingdom
  64. 38Extradition following deferral for competing claim
  65. 39Asylum claim
  66. 40Certificate in respect of asylum claimant
  67. Withdrawal of Part 1 warrant
  68. 41Withdrawal of warrant before extradition
  69. 42Withdrawal of warrant whileapplication or appeal to High Court pending
  70. 43Withdrawal of warrant while appeal to Supreme Court pending
  71. Competing Part 1 warrants
  72. 44Competing Part 1 warrants
  73. Consent to extradition
  74. 45Consent to extradition
  75. 46Extradition order following consent
  76. 47Extradition to category 1 territory following consent
  77. 48Other warrant issued following consent
  78. 49Other warrant issued: extradition to category 1 territory
  79. 50Other warrant issued: proceedings deferred
  80. 51Extradition request following consent
  81. 52Undertaking in relation to person serving sentence
  82. 53Extradition following deferral for competing claim
  83. Post-extradition matters
  84. 54Request for consent to other offence being dealt with
  85. 55Questions for decision at consent hearing
  86. 56Request for consent to further extradition to category 1 territory
  87. 57Questions for decision at consent hearing
  88. 58Consent to further extradition to category 2 territory
  89. 59Return of person to serve remainder of sentence
  90. Costs
  91. 60Costs where extradition ordered
  92. 61Costs where discharge ordered
  93. 62Costs where discharge ordered: supplementary
  94. 62AAppropriate amount: England and Wales
  95. 62BLegal costs: England and Wales
  96. Repatriation cases
  97. 63Persons serving sentences outside territory where convicted
  98. Interpretation
  99. 64Extradition offences: person not sentenced for offence
  100. 65Extradition offences: person sentenced for offence
  101. 66Extradition offences: supplementary
  102. 67The appropriate judge
  103. 68The extradition hearing
  104. 68AUnlawfully at large
  105. Part 2: Extradition to category 2 territories
  106. Introduction
  107. 69Extradition to category 2 territories
  108. 70Extradition request and certificate
  109. Arrest
  110. 71Arrest warrant following extradition request
  111. 72Person arrested under section 71
  112. 73Provisional warrant
  113. 74Person arrested under provisional warrant
  114. Provisional arrest without warrant
  115. 74AProvisional arrest where certificate issued under section 74B
  116. 74BCertificates enabling provisional arrest under section 74A
  117. 74CSection 74B supplementary: valid requests for arrest
  118. 74DPerson provisionally arrested under section 74A
  119. 74EPerson provisionally arrested under section 74A: next steps
  120. The extradition hearing
  121. 75Date of extradition hearing: arrest under section 71
  122. 76Date of extradition hearing: arrest under provisional warrant or under section 74A
  123. 76APerson charged with offence in United Kingdom before extradition hearing
  124. 76BPerson serving sentence in United Kingdom before extradition hearing
  125. 77Judge’s powers at extradition hearing
  126. 78Initial stages of extradition hearing
  127. 79Bars to extradition
  128. 80Rule against double jeopardy
  129. 81Extraneous considerations
  130. 82Passage of time
  131. 83Hostage-taking considerations
  132. 83AForum
  133. 83BEffect of prosecutor's certificates on forum proceedings
  134. 83CProsecutor's certificates
  135. 83DQuestioning of prosecutor's certificate
  136. 83EInterpretation of sections 83A to 83D
  137. 84Case where person has not been convicted
  138. 85Case where person has been convicted
  139. 86Conviction in person’s absence
  140. 87Human rights
  141. 88Person charged with offence in United Kingdom
  142. 89Person serving sentence in United Kingdom
  143. 90Competing extradition claim
  144. 91Physical or mental condition
  145. 92Case sent to Secretary of State
  146. Secretary of State’s functions
  147. 93Secretary of State’s consideration of case
  148. 94Death penalty
  149. 95Speciality
  150. 96Earlier extradition to United Kingdom from other territory
  151. 96AEarlier transfer to United Kingdom by International Criminal Court
  152. 97Deferral: person charged with offence in United Kingdom
  153. 98Deferral: person serving sentence in United Kingdom
  154. 99Time limit for order for extradition or discharge
  155. 100Information
  156. 101Making of order for extradition or discharge
  157. 102The appropriate day
  158. Appeals
  159. 103Appeal where case sent to Secretary of State
  160. 104Court’s powers on appeal under section 103
  161. 105Appeal against discharge at extradition hearing
  162. 106Court’s powers on appeal under section 105
  163. 107Detention pending conclusion of appeal under section 105
  164. 107ADetention pending conclusion of appeal under section 105: Scotland
  165. 108Appeal against extradition order
  166. 109Court’s powers on appeal under section 108
  167. 110Appeal against discharge by Secretary of State
  168. 111Court’s powers on appeal under section 110
  169. 112Detention pending conclusion of appeal under section 110
  170. 112ADetention pending conclusion of appeal under section 110: Scotland
  171. 113Appeal to High Court: time limit for start of hearing
  172. 114Appeal to Supreme Court
  173. 115Powers of Supreme Court on appeal under section 114
  174. 115ADetention pending conclusion of certain appeals under section 114
  175. 115BDetention pending conclusion of appeals relating to devolution issues
  176. 116Appeals: general
  177. Time for extradition
  178. 117Extradition where no appeal
  179. 118Extradition following appeal
  180. 118AExtradition following appeal: Scotland
  181. 118BScottish devolution issue: remand in custody or on bail
  182. 118CJudge informed after extradition order that person is charged with offence in United Kingdom
  183. 118DJudge informed after extradition order that person is serving sentence in United Kingdom
  184. 119Undertaking in relation to person serving sentence in United Kingdom
  185. 120Extradition following deferral for competing claim
  186. 121Asylum claim
  187. Withdrawal of extradition request
  188. 122Withdrawal of request before end of extradition hearing
  189. 123Withdrawal of request after case sent to Secretary of State
  190. 124Withdrawal of request whileapplication or appeal to High Court pending
  191. 125Withdrawal of request while appeal to Supreme Court pending
  192. Competing extradition requests
  193. 126Competing extradition requests
  194. Consent to extradition
  195. 127Consent to extradition: general
  196. 128Consent to extradition before case sent to Secretary of State
  197. Post-extradition matters
  198. 129Consent to other offence being dealt with
  199. 130Consent to further extradition to category 2 territory
  200. 131Consent to further extradition to category 1 territory
  201. 132Return of person to serve remainder of sentence
  202. Costs
  203. 133Costs where extradition ordered
  204. 134Costs where discharge ordered
  205. 135Costs where discharge ordered: supplementary
  206. 135AAppropriate amount: England and Wales
  207. 135BLegal costs: England and Wales
  208. Repatriation cases
  209. 136Persons serving sentences outside territory where convicted
  210. Interpretation
  211. 137Extradition offences: person not sentenced for offence
  212. 138Extradition offences: person sentenced for offence
  213. 139The appropriate judge
  214. 140The extradition hearing
  215. 140AUnlawfully at large
  216. 141Scotland: references to Secretary of State
  217. Part 3: Extradition to the United Kingdom
  218. Extradition from category 1 territories
  219. 142Issue of Part 3 warrant
  220. 143Undertaking in relation to person serving sentence Repealed
  221. 144Return to extraditing territory to serve sentence Repealed
  222. 145Service of sentence in territory executing Part 3 warrant
  223. 146Dealing with person for other offences
  224. 147Effect of consent to extradition to the United Kingdom
  225. 148Extradition offences
  226. 149The appropriate judge
  227. Extradition from category 2 territories
  228. 150Dealing with person for other offences: Commonwealth countries etc.
  229. 151Dealing with person for other offences: other category 2 territories Repealed
  230. General
  231. 151ADealing with person for other offences
  232. 151BDetention of person for trial in England and Wales for other offences
  233. 152Remission of punishment for other offences
  234. 153Return of person acquitted or not tried
  235. 153AUndertaking in relation to person serving sentence
  236. 153BReturn of person in pursuance of undertaking
  237. 153CReturn to extraditing territory to serve sentence
  238. 153DSections 153A and 153C etc : supplementary
  239. 154Restriction on bail where undertaking given by Secretary of State
  240. 155Service personnel
  241. 155ACategory 1 territories not applying Trade and Cooperation Agreement to old cases
  242. Part 4: Police powers
  243. Warrants and orders
  244. 156Search and seizure warrants
  245. 157Production orders
  246. 158Requirements for making of production order
  247. 159Computer information
  248. 160Warrants: special procedure material and excluded material
  249. Search and seizure without warrant
  250. 161Entry and search of premises for purposes of arrest
  251. 162Entry and search of premises on arrest
  252. 163Search of person on arrest
  253. 164Entry and search of premises after arrest
  254. 165Additional seizure powers
  255. Treatment following arrest
  256. 166Fingerprints and samples
  257. 167Searches and examination
  258. 168Photographs
  259. 169Evidence of identity: England and Wales
  260. 170Evidence of identity: Northern Ireland
  261. 171Other treatment and rights
  262. Delivery of seized property
  263. 172Delivery of seized property
  264. Codes of practice
  265. 173Codes of practice
  266. General
  267. 174Interpretation
  268. 175Customs officers
  269. 176Service policemen
  270. Part 5: Miscellaneous and general
  271. British overseas territories
  272. 177Extradition from British overseas territories
  273. 178Extradition to British overseas territories
  274. Competing extradition claims
  275. 179Competing claims to extradition
  276. 180Proceedings on deferred warrant or request
  277. 181Proceedings where extradition deferred
  278. Legal aid
  279. 182Legal advice, assistance and representation: England and Wales Repealed
  280. 183Legal aid: Scotland
  281. 184Grant of free legal aid: Northern Ireland
  282. 185Free legal aid: supplementary
  283. Re-extradition
  284. 186Re-extradition: preliminary
  285. 187Re-extradition hearing
  286. 188Re-extradition to category 1 territories
  287. 189Re-extradition to category 2 territories
  288. Non-UK extradition: transit through the United Kingdom
  289. 189AFacilitating transit through the United Kingdom
  290. 189BUnscheduled arrival in the United Kingdom
  291. 189CExercise of the extradition transit powers
  292. 189DCodes of practice
  293. 189ESections 189A to 189D: interpretation
  294. Conduct of extradition proceedings
  295. 190Crown Prosecution Service: role in extradition proceedings
  296. 191Lord Advocate: role in extradition proceedings
  297. 192Northern Ireland DPP and Crown Solicitor: role in extradition proceedings
  298. Parties to international Conventions
  299. 193Parties to international Conventions
  300. Special extradition arrangements
  301. 194Special extradition arrangements
  302. Human rights
  303. 195Human rights: appropriate tribunal
  304. Genocide etc
  305. 196Genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes
  306. Custody and bail
  307. 197Custody
  308. 197AExtradition of serving prisoner
  309. 198Bail: England and Wales
  310. 199Bail: Scotland
  311. 200Appeal against grant of bail
  312. 201Remand to local authority accommodation Repealed
  313. Evidence
  314. 202Receivable documents
  315. 203Documents sent by facsimile
  316. 204Warrant issued by category 1 territory: transmission by other electronic means
  317. 205Written statements and admissions
  318. 206Burden and standard of proof
  319. Live links
  320. 206AUse of live links at ... hearings
  321. 206BLive links: supplementary
  322. 206CLive links: interpretation
  323. Other miscellaneous provisions
  324. 207Extradition for more than one offence
  325. 208National security
  326. 209Reasonable force
  327. 210Rules of court
  328. 211Service of notices
  329. 212Article 95 alerts: transitional provision Repealed
  330. Interpretation
  331. 213Disposal of Part 1 warrant and extradition request
  332. 214Disposal of charge
  333. 215Trade and Cooperation Agreement list
  334. 216Other interpretative provisions
  335. General
  336. 217Form of documents
  337. 218Existing legislation on extradition
  338. 219Amendments
  339. 220Repeals
  340. 221Commencement
  341. 222Channel Islands and Isle of Man
  342. 223Orders and regulations
  343. 224Orders in Council
  344. 225Finance
  345. 226Extent
  346. 227Short title
  347. Schedule A1Specified category 2 territories
  348. Schedule 1: Re-extradition: modifications
  349. Part 1: Category 1 territories
  350. 1Paragraph 1
  351. 2Paragraph 2
  352. 3Paragraph 3
  353. 4Paragraph 4
  354. 5Paragraph 5
  355. 6Paragraph 6
  356. 7Paragraph 7
  357. Part 2: Category 2 territories
  358. 8Paragraph 8
  359. 9Paragraph 9
  360. 10Paragraph 10
  361. 11Paragraph 11
  362. 12Paragraph 12
  363. 13Paragraph 13
  364. 14Paragraph 14
  365. 15Paragraph 15
  366. 16Paragraph 16
  367. 17Paragraph 17
  368. 18Paragraph 18
  369. 19Paragraph 19
  370. 20Paragraph 20
  371. 21Paragraph 21
  372. 22Paragraph 22
  373. 23Paragraph 23
  374. 24Paragraph 24
  375. 25Paragraph 25
  376. 26Paragraph 26
  377. 27Paragraph 27
  378. 28Paragraph 28
  379. 29Paragraph 29
  380. 30Paragraph 30
  381. 31Paragraph 31
  382. 32Paragraph 32
  383. 33Paragraph 33
  384. 34Paragraph 34
  385. 35Paragraph 35
  386. 36Paragraph 36
  387. Schedule 2: Trade and Cooperation Agreement list
  388. 1Paragraph 1
  389. 2Paragraph 2
  390. 3Paragraph 3
  391. 4Paragraph 4
  392. 5Paragraph 5
  393. 6Paragraph 6
  394. 7Paragraph 7
  395. 8Paragraph 8
  396. 9Paragraph 9
  397. 10Paragraph 10
  398. 11Paragraph 11
  399. 12Paragraph 12
  400. 13Paragraph 13
  401. 14Paragraph 14
  402. 15Paragraph 15
  403. 16Paragraph 16
  404. 17Paragraph 17
  405. 18Paragraph 18
  406. 19Paragraph 19
  407. 20Paragraph 20
  408. 21Paragraph 21
  409. 22Paragraph 22
  410. 23Paragraph 23
  411. 24Paragraph 24
  412. 25Paragraph 25
  413. 26Paragraph 26
  414. 27Paragraph 27
  415. 28Paragraph 28
  416. 29Paragraph 29
  417. 30Paragraph 30
  418. 31Paragraph 31
  419. 32Paragraph 32
  420. Schedule 3: Amendments
  421. Introduction
  422. 1Paragraph 1
  423. Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (c. 13)
  424. 2Paragraph 2
  425. Criminal Justice Act 1967 (c. 80)
  426. 3Paragraph 3
  427. Suppression of Terrorism Act 1978 (c. 26)
  428. 4Paragraph 4
  429. 5Paragraph 5
  430. Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Act 1990 (c. 5)
  431. 6Paragraph 6
  432. Computer Misuse Act 1990 (c. 18)
  433. 7Paragraph 7
  434. Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990 (c. 31)
  435. 8Paragraph 8
  436. Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53)
  437. 9Paragraph 9
  438. United Nations Personnel Act 1997 (c. 13)
  439. 10Paragraph 10
  440. Terrorism Act 2000 (c. 11)
  441. 11Paragraph 11
  442. International Criminal Court Act 2001 (c. 17)
  443. 12Paragraph 12
  444. 13Paragraph 13
  445. Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40)
  446. 14Paragraph 14
  447. Schedule 4Repeals