We represented a client sought for extradition by France in connection with a conviction warrant relating to four offences concerning his alleged involvement in the trafficking of nearly 90kg of heroin. The client was originally sentenced by the French Court to a term of 3 years’ imprisonment on 15 February 2011.

We argued that extradition would be unjust, oppressive and disproportionate, and would also amount to an abuse of process. We further submitted that extradition would place our client at risk of inhuman and degrading treatment, contrary to Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

We obtained an expert report from French legal expert Ms Samira Denfer addressing legal and factual issues in relation to the extradition request, including evidence of severe overcrowding in Fleury-Mérogis and Fresnes prisons in the Paris region.

Following a contested extradition hearing in May 2026, the District Judge accepted our submissions. The Court found that extradition would be unjust and oppressive due to the passage of time under section 14 of the Extradition Act, and would also constitute a disproportionate interference with our client’s right to respect for private and family life under Article 8 ECHR.

Our client was represented by Solicitor and Higher Court Advocate, Will Bergstrom, with assistance from Caseworker, Ana Derham.