George Hepburne Scott examines US extradition and competing requests in Coelho

George Hepburne Scott, Head of Extradition at Church Court Chambers, has published an analysis of the Court of Appeal’s recent judgment in R (Diogo Santos Coelho) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2026] EWCA Civ 1219.

The case concerns competing extradition requests from the United States and Portugal and the Home Secretary’s power under section 179 of the Extradition Act 2003 to determine which should take priority.

The Court held that there was no legal obligation to receive or consider representations from the requested person before making the priority decision. However, material factual errors remained a basis for quashing that decision.

George’s article examines the judgment and its practical implications for those advising on competing requests, including proceedings involving extradition to the USA from the UK.

George advises and represents individuals facing US extradition requests and works with lawyers in other jurisdictions on complex international cases.

Read George’s full analysis on UKExtraditionLawyer, here.

Read the Court of Appeal judgment, here.