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clerks@churchcourtchambers.co.uk
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DX 458 London Chancery Lane
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Year of Call - 1999
“A force of nature. George has a very quick mind and an electric personality, and is great fun to work with”
Giles Bark-Jones, Principal, Bark & Co, a 'Top Tier' Legal 500 Firm
George is a well-established barrister with an excellent reputation for his specialist knowledge of extradition law and human rights, advocacy and drafting. His background is in serious crime; in this context George has acted in cases of terrorism, murder, drug conspiracies, serious sexual offences and other serious crime. As can be seen below, George has a particular expertise in extradition appeals and securing bail in extradition proceedings.
George is highly experienced at conducting extradition proceedings under Part 1 and Part 2 of the Extradition Act 2003. He has represented numerous individuals before the Westminster Magistrates’ Court and the High Court. George can provide informed advice and effective advocacy at each stage of proceedings.
George relishes advocacy in all its forms, whether addressing a jury, the Court of Appeal, High Court or a District Judge and believes that practising across a number of different fields and forums is a positive advantage in keeping advocacy skills sharp and legal thinking flexible.
George also has considerable experience in civil claims and frequently advises on quantum and liability in tort and contract claims including (i) claims arising from undisclosed commission and (ii) claims arising from negligent / unlawful cavity wall installation.
George has published and lectured extensively on extradition.
George is accredited as a Barrister Pupil Supervisor.
George is authorised to conduct litigation.
George is Public Access qualified.
Recent extradition cases:
On 22 March 2021, George’s client, P.T. was discharged by a District Judge at Westminster Magistrates’ Court following a contested extradition hearing earlier in the month. At the hearing, the defence team led by George had raised issues under the Extradition Act 2003 as follows: s.2 (was Poland to still be considered a judicial authority, s.14 (passage of time), s.20 (trial in absence), and Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights. Ultimately, the District Judge discharged R.T. purely on Article 8 grounds on the basis on the nature of the offending, the age of the offending (18 years old) and the impact of extradition upon P.T. and his wife.
On 18 March 2021, George Hepburne Scott’s client, B.F, an Antiguan national, was sensationally discharged from his part 2 extradition proceedings at Westminster Magistrates Court following a contested case.
B.F. had been arrested at Gatwick airport on 20th January 2020. He was arrested on provisional warrant issued by the National Crime Agency under s.74(B) of the Extradition Act 2003 pursuant to an Interpol Red Notice issued by the USA.
The allegation was that B.F. had committed an offence of possession of a firearm (.32 calibre revolver loaded with two .32 calibre rounds), had been bailed in New York and then, 24 January 1991, failed to appear at his hearing.
The extradition proceedings had then commenced at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. Upon further examination by the defence team led by George Hepburne Scott, it transpired that the Red Notice was not applied for until 4 February 2015, some 24 years after the US domestic warrant was issued.
This gave rise to powerful arguments that the passage of time and culpable delay had fundamentally undermined the extradition request: B.K.’s life had profoundly changed in the period; He had led a blameless life including having been employed as a police officer in Antigua.
The defence therefore made repeated and powerful representations to the relevant US District Attorney in New York through the Crown Prosecution Service International Justice and Organised Crime Division. This persistence finally paid off when the US confirmed on 17 March 2021 that it was no longer pursuing the case against B.F. and he was sensationally discharged and released on 18 March 2021.
On 26 February 2021, in the case of Poland v R.G. George’s client was triumphantly discharged on the European Arrest Warrant that he faced for a historical conviction in Poland.
Following a fully contested hearing and complex legal argument, the District Judge ruled in favour of George’s client and rejected Poland’s claim for extradition on Article 8 grounds. The client was naturally overjoyed
On 24 August 2020, in the case of Hungary v TK, George secured a discharge of his client at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on a Hungarian EAW relating to multiple thefts from employer. George’s client was a Hungarian national. The District Judge discharged George’s client on this occasion.
On 25 August 2020, in the case of Greece v AS, George secured the discharge of his client at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on a Greek EAW alleging cannabis cultivation. George’s client was an Albanian national. The District Judge discharged George’s client on this occasion.
On 4 September 2020, in the case of Greece v RK, George secured the discharge of his client at Westminster Magistrates’ Court again on a Greek EAW this one alleging large scale drug trafficking. The client was an Irish National. On this occasion the Deputy Chief Magistrate of England and Wales discharged George’s client.
On 11 September 2020, in the case of Belgium v SH, George’s client, an Albanian national, was sensationally discharged on a Belgian EAW alleging triple-murder. The client was discharged following complex legal argument regarding reopening the identity issue after the initial hearing. On this occasion the client was discharged by the District Judge.
Member of the Criminal Bar Association
Member of the Extradition Lawyers Association
Appeal Against Crown Court Sentence bailii
Appeal Against Crown Court Conviction bailii
Appeal Against Crown Court Conviction bailii
Appeal Against Crown Court Conviction bailii
Successful appeal against a Crown Court sentence where the sentence of 16 months’ immediate custody was quashed and replaced with a Suspended Sentence securing the defendants’ immediate release.
Appeal against Crown Court Sentence where the structure of the Extended Sentence was reduced on appeal.
Appeal against a Crown Court sentence.
Successful appeal against Crown Court Sentence.
Appeal against Crown Court Conviction and Sentence. George was described by Leveson LJ as ‘a powerful advocate’. Bailii
Successful appeal against Crown Court Sentence.
Successful appeal against Crown Court Sentence.
Successful appeal against Crown Court Conviction and Sentence.
Times April 22, 2011 – Successful appeal against Crown Court Conviction. This case involved serious sexual offences and the defendant’s convictions and sentence were all quashed and the defendant was unanimously acquitted by the jury at his retrial.
Successful appeal against Crown Court Sentence. This case involved over 70 TIC’s for Burglary.
Successful appeal against Crown Court Sentence.
Successful prosecution appeal against Crown Court Sentence.
Appeal against Crown Court Sentence.
Successful appeal against Crown Court Sentence.
This was one of the first major cases involving the Extradition Act 2003. This case served to limit the scope of ‘no-evidence’ extraditions involving category 1 territories.
George acted for the Crown in this case which is now the leading authority on stranger kidnapping sentences.
This case involved the concept of the mercy where a terminally ill man was given a sentence that would involve his inevitable death in custody. The appeal was successful.
This case involved the successful appeal of a sentence of 9 years for conspiracy to supply cocaine. Following extensive courtroom exchanges with Mr Justice Calvert-Smith (former DPP) the sentence was reduced from 9 to 7 years.
Successful appeal of Crown Court sentence.
The Halloween Nunchaku murder involved the murder of a 15 year old boy at a Halloween party. George was led by David Fisher QC in this notorious murder trial. BBC
Murder case involving a dealer murdering his best-friend in a frenzied knife attack. George was led by Sascha Wass QC in this trial. BBC
‘Caterham Bus Bomber’: this was an allegation of a ‘home-grown’ terrorist who was found to have a cache of chemical weapons at his home. George successfully defended this man and he was acquitted of all charges. BBC
Successful prosecution of multi-defendant football hooligan case involving widespread public disorder. BBC
Successful prosecution of a serious stranger kidnapping case involving an armed stranger kidnap of young children. George was subsequently instructed by the Crown to appear in the Court of Appeal and this case is now a leading authority of Sentences for Kidnapping. BBC
This case involved an Albanian/Chechen criminal gang selling highly sophisticated cash-point scamming kits to other criminal gangs in Wales. It attracted nationwide publicity including the front page of the Times. BBC
George was initially instructed in this extradition of this notorious Holocaust denier. The extradition was successfully opposed. BBC
George was instructed in this case involving the ‘Gatwick shooter’ who was apprehended and Tasered by police as he wandered around Gatwick Airport brandishing a firearm. BBC
George was instructed to defend a member of this notorious tie-up robbery gang that committed more than 12 robberies involving serious violence. BBC
Serious historical sexual assaults in children’s home. Defendant received 20 years’ custody. BBC
Successful Extradition Appeal (A8) bailii
Very High Profile First Instance Extradition Decision bailii
Extradition case involving Judicial Review of the Home Secretary bailii
Successful Extradition Appeal (s.2) bailii
High Court appeal involving s.2 and Article 8.
High Court appeal involving Article 8.
High Court appeal involving kidnapping allegation.
High Court appeal involving multi-million VAT fraud.
High Court appeal involving multi-million fraud allegation.
High Court appeal involving human trafficking.
Part 2 case involving Murder conviction and Articles 2, 3, & 6.
Complex Part 2 case involving Articles 3, 6, & 8.
High Court appeal involving multi-£ fraud accusation.
High Court appeal involving murder conviction.
High Court appeal involving attempted murder.
High Court appeal involving Article 8.
High Court appeal involving Articles 3, 6, & 8.
High Court appeal involving Article 3.
High Court appeal involving ss. 2, 14, 20 & Article 8.
High Court appeal involving s.2 & Articles 3, 6 & 8.
High Court appeal involving s.14 & Articles 3 & 8.
High Court appeal involving Articles 3 & 8.
High Court appeal involving Article 8.
High Court appeal involving double jeopardy & A8.
High Court appeal involving s.14 & Article 8.
High Court appeal involving s.2 & Article 8.
High Court appeal involving Article 8.
High Court appeal involving ss.2, 14 & Article 8.
High Court appeal involving right to re-trial s.20
High Court appeal involving Articles 6 & 8.
Extradition case involving Judicial Review of the Home Secretary.