Extradition - To the UK
Plain-English digest of CPS prosecution guidance.
AI-generated summary — not verbatim. This is a plain-English digest, not the official CPS text. It may omit detail or fall out of date. Do not rely on it for a charging decision — read the full guidance on cps.gov.uk and check the current legislation.
This guidance outlines the procedures and principles the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) follows when making extradition requests to bring individuals back to England and Wales for prosecution or sentencing. It details the legal basis for extradition requests, considerations of dual criminality, and the implications of various types of warrants. Additionally, it addresses issues such as confidentiality, nationality bars, and the handling of cases involving both accusation and conviction.
Key points
- Extradition requests are governed by the Extradition Act 2003.
- Prosecutors must ensure they are trial-ready before applying for a TaCA warrant.
- A combination of legal tools may be utilized for extradition depending on the case.
- Specialty provisions restrict prosecution to only those charges specified in the extradition request.
- Confidentiality is essential in some extradition processes to protect sensitive information.
- Requests for further information may arise from executing authorities of other states.
Public-interest factors
- Seriousness of the offence
- Impact on victims
- Public safety
- Resources required for prosecution
- Potential for fair trial
- Urgency of extradition
This is a factual digest of guidance published by the Crown Prosecution Service. Digested 2026-07-15. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the CPS.