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Extradition Act 2003 in England

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