Britain is home to one of the largest Israeli communities abroad, and London is also a hub of business, finance and air travel. As a result, Israelis are arrested there not only over events in the United Kingdom but also on extradition requests from other countries, most often the United States. This page explains how extradition proceedings work in the United Kingdom, what can be argued in them, and how we manage a case that has a British side, an Israeli side and an American side at the same time.
Representing Israelis in proceedings in the United Kingdom
I have practised criminal law, extradition and international crime since 1998, and I serve as Chairman of the Extradition and International Crime Committee of the Israel Bar Association. In the United Kingdom, representation in court is by a British solicitor and barrister. Our firm manages the overall strategy, the relationship with the client and the family, and the coordination with Israel and with the requesting state, so that each part of the case is handled with the others in mind.
I am currently representing, together with attorney Shai Shorer, an Israeli arrested in the United Kingdom in connection with the deepfake affair, in which federal prosecutors in New York filed an indictment. The United States has requested his extradition, and the request has not yet been decided. Our position is that the indictment contains no evidence establishing his involvement. In September 2026 I took part in the DELF conference in London, the forum of lawyers who represent requested persons in extradition proceedings, which dealt with precisely these questions.
How extradition proceedings work in the United Kingdom
The law and the requesting states
Extradition from the United Kingdom is governed by the Extradition Act 2003. The United States and Israel are both listed under Part 2 of the Act, which applies to states outside the European Union. Proceedings of this kind involve both the government and the courts, and each of them has a separate decision to make.
The stages
Once the request has been certified by the government, the requested person is brought before a magistrates’ court, usually Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London. The court examines whether the extradition meets the requirements of the Act and whether there is a bar to extradition, for example a breach of the requested person’s human rights. If the court approves, the case passes to the Home Secretary for the final decision, and the decisions can be appealed to the High Court with permission. The court and the Home Secretary therefore decide different questions, and the defence prepares its arguments for each stage separately. The whole process can take months, and sometimes longer.
Bail
Bail is available in UK extradition proceedings, but it is not automatic. The court weighs the risk that the requested person will abscond, and in cases of this kind the conditions usually include a financial security, surrender of the passport and regular reporting, and sometimes electronic monitoring as well.
Three jurisdictions, one strategy
Where an Israeli is arrested in London on an American request, what is argued before the British court affects the defence in the United States, and what happens in Israel, such as a parallel investigation, affects both. Someone therefore needs to hold the whole picture: what to argue against extradition, whether to contest it at all, and how to keep the line of defence consistent across the three countries. The American side of these cases is covered on our page on criminal defence in the United States.
Extradition between Israel and the United Kingdom
Israel and the United Kingdom are both parties to the European Convention on Extradition. When Israel seeks someone’s return from the United Kingdom, the request goes through the same process before the British court. When the United Kingdom seeks extradition from Israel, the request is heard by the Jerusalem District Court, and an Israeli citizen and resident is extradited only on condition that he or she is returned to serve any prison sentence imposed in Israel. The Israeli side of that process is explained on our page on extradition to and from Israel.
What our representation covers
- Urgent review of the extradition request, the arrest warrant and the foreign indictment
- Joint work with British solicitors and barristers who specialise in extradition
- Preparing material from Israel in support of a bail application
- Coordination with the defence in the requesting state, for example in the United States
- Handling parallel proceedings in Israel and INTERPOL notices
- Careful media handling in cases that attract public attention
Why early action matters
The first hearing before the court in London takes place soon after the arrest, and it decides whether the requested person waits for the proceedings at home or in custody. The material presented at that hearing, including what can be gathered from Israel, therefore has to be ready quickly. If a member of your family has been arrested in the United Kingdom, contact our firm straight away. We can be reached 24/7 on +972-3-6969080.
Frequently asked questions
Will an Israeli arrested in the UK on an American request be extradited automatically?
No. A UK court examines whether the extradition meets the requirements of the law and whether there is a bar to extradition, and the Home Secretary makes the final decision. The decisions can be appealed to the High Court.
Is bail possible during UK extradition proceedings?
Yes, in appropriate cases, usually on conditions such as a financial security, surrender of the passport and regular reporting. It is not automatic, and the court weighs the risk of absconding.
How long do extradition proceedings in the UK take?
Usually months, and sometimes longer, particularly where an appeal is brought to the High Court.
Do Israel and the United Kingdom extradite to each other?
Yes. Both are parties to the European Convention on Extradition, and Israel is listed under Part 2 of the UK Extradition Act 2003.
Who represents me in court in London?
A British solicitor and barrister. We manage the overall strategy and coordinate with Israel and with the requesting state.
Official legal sources
- Extradition Act 2003, Part 2
- GOV.UK: Extradition processes and review
- European Convention on Extradition, 1957
This page provides general information and is not a substitute for legal advice based on the facts of a particular case. A Hebrew version of this page is available at עורך דין פלילי בבריטניה.
