Extradition Proceedings in Portugal

This service is for individuals facing extradition from Portugal. It is particularly relevant for individuals subject to a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) within the EU or an international extradition request under treaties Portugal has signed.

If you have been arrested in Portugal under an extradition request, or if you are seeking to challenge or negotiate extradition proceedings, legal assistance is essential to ensure your rights are protected. This service is particularly useful for:

• Foreign nationals facing extradition from Portugal to their home country. 

• Portuguese nationals or residents subject to an extradition request from another country. 

• Individuals facing a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) issued by an EU member state. 

• Those accused of financial crimes, fraud, drug offences, or other charges that may trigger extradition requests. 

• Individuals seeking to challenge extradition on human rights grounds or procedural irregularities.

• Businesses and professionals dealing with corporate extradition matters.

The specific requirements for extradition proceedings in Portugal depend on the type of request:

• The requesting country must have a bilateral or multilateral treaty with Portugal. 

• The alleged crime must be punishable in both Portugal and the requesting country (dual criminality principle). 

• The requested person must not be a Portuguese citizen, as Portugal does not extradite its own nationals (except under the European Arrest Warrant system). 

• The offence must not be subject to the death penalty, life imprisonment without parole, or inhuman treatment. 

• The extradition request must comply with Portuguese constitutional and human rights protections.

Extradition cases are complex and require specialised legal assistance. Our approach includes:

1. Case Review and Legal Strategy: We assess the extradition request, analyse applicable treaties, and determine potential defence strategies. 

2. Immediate Legal Representation: If you have been arrested under an extradition request, we provide urgent legal representation to safeguard your rights. 

3. Challenging the Extradition: We examine potential legal arguments, including human rights violations, lack of fair trial guarantees, or political motivations behind the request. 

4. Judicial Process: Extradition cases are reviewed by the Portuguese Court of Appeal, where we argue against unlawful or unjust extradition. 

5. Final Appeals & European Court of Human Rights (ECHR): If necessary, and appropriate in the circumstances,, we can also escalate the case to higher courts, including the European Court of Human Rights.

• Protection of Your Rights: We ensure that extradition proceedings respect constitutional and human rights protections in Portugal. 
• Expert Legal Defence: Our specialised lawyers identify weaknesses in the extradition request and build strong legal defences. 
• Avoiding Unjust Extradition: We challenge politically motivated or unfair extradition requests to protect clients from persecution. 
• Mitigating Consequences: In some cases, extradition can be negotiated or alternatives such as supervised release may be explored. 
• Emergency Legal Assistance: If you or a loved one is arrested, we provide immediate legal support.

• Legal analysis of extradition requests under Portuguese and international law.
• Urgent legal representation if arrested under an extradition request.
• Defence strategies based on human rights, procedural errors, and political considerations.
• Appeals process management before the Portuguese Court of Appeal and European courts.
• Negotiations with authorities for alternative legal solutions.
• Assistance with European Arrest Warrant (EAW) cases within the EU legal framework.