Overview
Louisa is a barrister specialising in extradition, international crime and human rights law. Louisa has been ranked in Chambers and Partners since 2017 and is recognised as a Band 1 leader in the field of extradition. Louisa is also ranked in the Legal 500 for her work in international crime and extradition.
Louisa is recognised for her hard work ethic, her ability to handle complex and sensitive cases and also her approachability.
Professional Panel Appointments:
- Attorney General's Panel of Counsel: B Panel.
- Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) General Crime panel: Level 2.
- Specialist Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Extradition panel: Level 3.
Extradition & International
Louisa is an experienced and established specialist extradition barrister, acting both on behalf of requesting foreign governments and requested persons. She has been practicing in this area of the law since 2008 and has a breadth of experience in numerous complex cases and has a record of success in matters concerning vulnerable individuals. She works tirelessly to obtain the best possible outcomes for her clients and is noted for her approachability and hard work ethic.
‘Extremely experienced and a pleasure to work with.’
The Legal 500 2019.
‘Brings tranquillity to high-pressure cases.’
The Legal 500 2020.
Louisa’s practice involves advising and providing representation throughout all stages of the extradition process. She has a busy appellate workload and has made applications to the ECHR and dealt with ancillary proceedings, including judicial review. Louisa also regularly advises individuals and judicial authorities regarding the preparation of extradition requests made to this jurisdiction from other countries.
Recent instructions have involved a number of Part 2 jurisdictions (Moldova, Armenia, USA, India, UAE, Switzerland and Nigeria) and the full spectrum of countries under the EAW system.
Louisa has dealt with numerous extradition requests issued against individuals wanted in the US. She has dealt with both Federal and State requests at first instance and on appeal.
She has represented requested persons facing US requests and also appeared on behalf of the US Government. This means she in in the advantageous position of being familiar with the procedures adopted by the CPS in connection with the US Department of Justice in pursuing an extradition request. This knowledge and experience is invaluable when advising requested persons facing an Interpol Red Notice or extradition request from the USA.
Prior to specialising in extradition, Louisa’s practice was principally in white collar financial crime, which provides her with an insight and understanding in connection with fraud, business crime and related matters in the context of extradition.
Louisa is experienced in raising forum arguments in extradition cases, an argument that features frequently in the context of US matters and has also advised on outgoing (import) extradition requests from the US.
Louisa has experience in challenging INTERPOL Red Notices, has assisted in negotiating prisoner transfer arrangements and has coordinated successful s21B interview requests.
Interpol
Judicial Review & Public Law
Louisa has appeared before the Administrative Court in a number of judicial review matters arising out of extradition proceedings before the magistrates’ court, and in writs for habeus corpus.
Immigration
Louisa accepts immigration instructions and her extensive experience in international human rights’ and extradition work, means that she is ideally placed to advise in relation to most immigration cases.
She is ideally placed to advise in cases with linked extradition proceedings.
Professional Memberships
- Defence Extradition Lawyers’ Forum.
- Extradition Lawyers Association.
Cases of Note
Bazys & Besan v Lithuania [2022] EWHC 1094 (Admin)
Nemeth, Lakatos & Horvath v Hungary [2022] EWHC 273 (Admin)
Greece v Hysa, Neli & Jalil [2022] EWHC 2050 (Admin)
Sula v Greece [2022] EWHC 230 (Admin)
Estevez v Italy [2021] EWHC 2069 (Admin)
Tabuncic and Coev vs Government of Moldova [2021] EWHC 1269 (Admin)
Leading case on prison conditions in Moldova and breaches to Article 3 ECHR
Taranenco v Romania [2020] EWHC 1198 (Admin)
USA v Leach
Accusation request raising issues concerning the validity of the request, dual criminality, Article 5 and Article 3.
Bowen v USA [2015] EWHC 1873 (Admin) and [2015] EWHC 1873 (Admin)
Civil commitment, Article 5
USA v Giese [2015] EWHC 3658 (Admin)
Assurances, civil commitment, mental disorder, Article 5 ECHR.
USA v Brenner
Accusation request raising Article 5 issues.
USA v Mitchell
Accusation requests raising issues under Article 5, Article 3, double jeopardy, abuse of process and Article 8.
Surovy v Slovakia [2019] EWHC 1309 (Admin)
Proportionality, exceptional circumstances under Crim PD XI para.50A.4.
Carpenter v Italy [2019] EWHC 211 (Admin)
s12A, charging decisions.
Beczer v Poland [2019] EWHC 1016 (Admin)
Time served.
Szlachetka v Poland [2019] EWHC 1329 (Admin)
Delay.
Bulgaria v Minchev [2019] EWHC 1925 (Admin)
Dual criminality.
Zagul v Poland [2019] EWHC 121 (Admin)
Article 8.
Ostalowski v Poland [2018] EWHC 416 (Admin)
Fresh evidence, mental health, Article 8.
Lekawski v Poland [2018] EWHC 1049 (Admin)
Delay & proportionality.
Biesek v Poland [2018] EWHC 124 (Admin)
Young offenders, Article 8.
Kemp v Spain [2016] EWHC 69 (Admin)
Credit for time served, curfews and proportionality.
