All posts in the Extradition category

US-UK extradition treaty – will Home Affairs Committee report silence public disquiet?

Earlier today the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee published a report on the US-UK extradition treaty. A further report on the operation of the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) is expected later this year.

Both reports emerge from curious circumstances, coming so soon after the publication of the independent Sir Scott Baker review in September 2011. That review was the most exhaustive analysis of this country’s extradition laws ever undertaken, devoting no less than 51 pages to the US-UK extradition treaty (the report of the Home Affairs Committee stretches to only 10 pages). Many of those who made representations to Sir Scott’s panel gave similar evidence to the MPs comprising the Home Affairs Committee. So why another report?

British Russian Law Association celebrates a successful 2011

The Annual General Meeting of The British Russian Law Association (BRLA) took place at The Reform Club in London last night. At this well attended event, the re-elected Chairman Professor Bill Bowring thanked Rupert D’Cruz for his tireless and unselfish efforts during his 20 years as a leader of the organisation. Robert Brown, partner, Corker Binning was also re-elected as Vice-Chairman of the Association.

How best to reform UK extradition law – some suggestions for Sir Menzies Campbell’s review

Last Friday’s judgments in the cases of Tappin and O’Dwyer have again focused minds on the vexed issue of the UK-US extradition treaty. Two questions were asked repeatedly on news channels around the UK. Is the treaty fair and balanced? And if not, how should it be reformed?

Scott Baker’s extradition review – no whitewash

The human rights organisation Liberty is “baffled” by it. The mother of Gary McKinnon calls it “pathetic”. The Home Secretary, on the other hand, says she is “very grateful” for it. Sir Scott Baker’s review of the UK’s extradition laws, released to the public yesterday after one year of work and at a reported cost of £250,000, has certainly provoked a range of reactions. At 486 pages in length, the one accusation nobody could make is that Sir Scott’s analysis lacks thoroughness.