Ruta is a passionate, proactive, and adaptable solicitor advocate with over 15 years’ experience in criminal defence and extradition law. Recognised for her genuine client care, composure under pressure, and quick thinking, she has earned a reputation as a highly sought-after expert in her field.

Her extensive experience spans complex criminal and extradition cases involving international jurisdictions. Ruta has successfully represented clients facing extradition requests from countries worldwide including the USA, Canada, Brazil, Russia, Norway, Italy, Portugal, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, France, Belgium, and numerous other EU states. This global exposure, combined with her excellent track record, underscores her status as an expert extradition lawyer.

Ruta has cemented her reputation as a skilful and knowledgeable advocate by tackling some of the most challenging criminal cases across a variety of courts from Youth Magistrates and Crown Courts to Appeal, High, and Divisional Courts.

Ruta is regularly commended for her approachability, professionalism, and willingness to go the extra mile for her clients. She stays current with developments in international justice systems to enhance her background knowledge and to better understand the wider context of her work.

Notable Cases

R v J Crown Court: Defended the lead defendant accused of conspiring to breach s25 of the Immigration Act. The defendant was implicated in facilitating the attempted smuggling of a record number of individuals into the UK via a large boat.

Germany v HP: Successfully resisted the extradition of a respected professional accused of rape in Germany. The proceedings were discontinued in Germany, and the warrant was withdrawn in both Germany and the UK, reaffirming the client’s impeccable character and reputation.

USA v A: Represented A, who was accused of conspiring to hack and defraud US banks of substantial sums of money. The case concluded with A securing an exceptionally favourable deal with the FBA and US authorities.

L v USZ: Represented requested persons at a Divisional Court, where we argued for prison assurances, conditions, and mutual trust and recognition. This is the leading case on the Lithuanian prison conditions argument. under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

DS v Portugal: The client faced a conviction warrant of 2 years and 2 months for allegedly “abusing the assistant” (noting that the assistant was her mother). We challenged the charge on several grounds including s10 (for unclear particulars), s25, and Articles 3 and 8, arguing that extradition would be oppressive and unjust given the client’s mental health condition and the presence of her newborn baby (born in the UK). Despite ongoing care proceedings (after the baby was taken from a psychiatric hospital by social services), the extradition proceedings were successfully discontinued and the warrant was withdrawn.

M v Portugal: Appealed in the High Court against an extradition order to Portugal based on a conviction warrant for aggravated robbery. Mr. M’s mental health issues were a significant factor in our successful appeal.

S v Portugal
Faced with a conviction warrant for dated fraud and drug offences, our client benefited from Portugal’s application of a one-year pardon, which reduced the warrant’s term from 1 year and 10 months to 10 months. This reduction strengthened our proportionality argument and ultimately led to the extradition warrant being discharged.

L v Poland: Our client, who recently underwent cervical cancer cell removal and is a mother to a toddler over two years old, was charged with company fraud in Poland. Despite her minor role in the offence and the fact that the matters date back over a decade, permission to appeal has been granted.

W v Poland: Represented an elderly client facing a dated accusation of rape. Given her health concerns including diabetes, a previous hip replacement, and various gastrointestinal and other ailments, we are currently awaiting permission to appeal.

K v. Poland: In a High Court appeal regarding a conviction for drug supply that resulted in a lengthy sentence, we argued under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Our client, a father of four with a wife suffering from anorexia, benefited from this human rights argument.

I v Italy: Extradition was ordered in September for a client accused of trafficking people from Turkey to Italy. The European Arrest Warrant described him as the mastermind behind the largest uncovered human trafficking ring. We contested the prison conditions in Italy by calling an expert to testify. Notably, during a 2019 visit to Italy when the client was assisting in recovering the remains of a drowned Iraqi as a favour to a friend, the Italian authorities tapped his phone, and the telephone recordings are now being used as evidence against him. The client chose not to appeal the Magistrates’ Court decision and instead rushed to Italy to stand trial.

W v Poland: Represented a father of three who faced a conviction and an EAW for possessing cannabis and an incident involving the unauthorised use of bicycles. However, our argument emphasising his private life in the UK won, and he was discharged last year.

Education & Qualifications:

• Higher Rights of Audience advocacy
• Legal Practice Course
• Graduate Diploma in Law
• Bachelors degree in Politics, Public administration and diplomacy
• Bachelors degree in Business management