Blog
Rayner my parade! The importance of specialist advice.
Jemma Brimblecombe
21 November 2018
A South Korean president will not prevent the abuse of INTERPOL: root and branch reform is needed
A collective sigh of relief was heard in the UK this morning at the news that Alexander Prokopchuk has not been elected as the new head of INTERPOL. In the current climate, post-Skripal, it is no surprise that the prospect of a former insider in the Kremlin’s interior ministry as head of the international body would cause alarm. Such relief, however, may be premature. Prokopchuk remains not only a vice-President of INTERPOL but also a member of the important Commission for the Control of Files of INTERPOL (CCF) which decides on the admissibility of red notices (although he absents himself when Russian cases are being discussed).
16 November 2018
#Brexit Withdrawal Agreement: transitional arrangements for the European Arrest Warrant
The draft agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union was presented to the House of Commons on 14 November 2018. It included, under Title V, provisions for on-going police and judicial co-operation.
12 November 2018
Global Britain: The Future of UK Sanctions Policy
Sanctions under scrutiny
The House of Commons Foreign Affairs committee has launched an inquiry into the future of UK sanctions policy to “explore and evaluate” different options for the UK’s approach to sanctions policy after leaving the EU.
In launching the inquiry the committee underlines that “Sanctions are an essential instrument of foreign policy, enabling the Government to penalise rogue regimes and human rights abusers around the world, and to combat the influence of so-called dirty money here in the UK.”
19 September 2018
Mutual trust remains until we leave: notification of intention to leave the EU not an exceptional circumstance
This blog reviews Case C-327/18 PPU Judgment of the Court (First Chamber) 19 September 2018. In short: “Mere notification” is not an exceptional circumstance within the meaning of the case law which is capable of justifying a refusal to execute an EAW. Substantial grounds to believe that the requested person is at risk of being deprived of rights recognised by the Charter and the Framework Decision, following the withdrawal from the EU of the issuing MS, are required for the MS to refuse to execute the EAW while the issuing MS remains a member of the EU.
10 September 2018
The Crime (Overseas Production Order) Bill - We must not lose control of data sharing
Scant attention has been paid to the House of Lords review of the Crime (Overseas Production Order) Bill — yet the legislation will give the UK authorities vastly extended powers to see data stored overseas for the purposes of criminal prosecutions. Critically, the bill needs more safeguards to protect individual rights before it gains final approval.