George Hepburne Scott appears before Divisional Court in groundbreaking Japanese extradition appeal

From 14 – 16 January, George Hepburne Scott is appearing in the leading extradition case of Government of Japan v Chappell AC-2023-LON-002449.

The 3-day appeal in the Divisional Court before Lewis LJ and Johnson J follows on from the landmark victory before the Chief Magistrate at Westminster Magistrates’ Court last year, where George, led by Mark Summers KC, defeated the first ever extradition request made by the Government of Japan to the UK on multiple grounds.

The underlying allegation is that Mr Chappell, with two others, conducted a violent robbery of the Harry Winston jewellery store in Tokyo in November 2015, with the value of items stolen said to be $742,000. Mr Chappell was discharged on all grounds pending the appeal.

The case is at the cutting edge of extradition law, and involves an unprecedented ad hoc request for extradition to the UK from the Government of Japan.

The Government of Japan has appealed the Chief Magistrate’s ruling, leading to the Administrative Court hearing.

George is led by Mark Summers KC of Matrix Chambers and both were instructed by Lisa French of Foxes Solicitors.