header-logo header-logo

16 March 2007 / Ana Stanic
Issue: 7264 / Categories: Features , Constitutional law , Commercial
printer mail-detail

Fat cats beware

US/UK extradition procedures leave few get-out clauses for white collar criminals, says Ana Stanic

Norris v Government of the US [2007] EWHC 71 (Admin), [2007] All ER (D) 199 (Jan) is only the second instance in which the Divisional Court has confirmed that a British national should be extradited for white collar crimes pursuant to the controversial US/UK Treaty of Extradition 2003 (the Treaty) and the Extradition Act 2003 (EA 2003).

The first time such extradition proceedings were brought under the Treaty and EA 2003 was in respect of the three NatWest bankers in the high-profile Enron-related case. That case confirmed that the Treaty and EA 2003’s removal of the requirement to establish a prima facie case for extradition from the UK to the US does not breach the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights (the Convention).

In Norris the High Court addressed the following issues:
(i) Is a conspiracy to price-fix a crime under English law and, in particular, a conspiracy to defraud?
(ii) Does a person need to be capable of

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

DAC Beachcroft—Paul Brehony

DAC Beachcroft—Paul Brehony

Commercial disputes practice expands with partner hire in London

Ward Hadaway—Maria Coster

Ward Hadaway—Maria Coster

Partner appointed to lead family and matrimonial department in Leeds

Slater Heelis—Helen Marsh

Slater Heelis—Helen Marsh

Commercial property team expands in Manchester with partner appointment

NEWS
SRM Recruitment has been announced as the headline sponsor of the Law Society RFC Festival of Sport 2026, which will take place on 20 September at Richmond Athletic Association. The specialist legal search firm joins the event as organisers prepare to welcome more than 110 teams across five sports, including rugby sevens, netball and five-a-side football
The civil justice landscape could be heading for a shake-up, with reform of the Solicitors Act 1974 gathering pace
Global mobility is transforming family law, creating new challenges around jurisdiction, assets and child arrangements
A series of procedural developments could have significant practical consequences for litigators. Writing in NLJ this week, columnist Stephen Gold highlights important updates ranging from digital court reforms to family procedure and admissions of liability
As family structures evolve, the law may face difficult questions about inheritance rights for those in polyamorous relationships
back-to-top-scroll