BSQ Partner Roger Sahota speaks at the DELF Extradition Conference

BSQ Partner Roger Sahota addressed a gathering of London’s leading extradition lawyers last Friday. On a panel with Lewis Graham, of Wadham College Oxford Roger discussed recent implications arising from the Grand Chamber’s decision in the case of Sanchez-Sanchez v. the United Kingdom ([GC], no. 22854/20 delivered in November 2022. Roger was instructed in Sanchez Sanchez, which is now the leading case of the issue of Article 3 compliance and Iife without parole sentences in the United States.

 Roger is also currently engaged in two other cases where am the decision in Sanchez Sanchez falls to be considered. In Horne v. the United Kingdom 34392/21 Roger represents an individual accused of second-degree murder with a firearm who is sought for extradition by the state of Florida. Permission has been granted by the Fourth section of the European Court. Together with Ben Keith of 5 Saint Andrews Hill, defence submissions in that case are due to be served in the court by the end of October 2023. 

In the case of Patrick Bijan Balahan v Sweden (Application no 9839/22) Roger acts for an individual sought by the state of California in relation to serious offences. The possibility of a life sentence arises in that case because of the operation of the three strikes law. Permission has been granted by the First section of ECHR. Representations are due to be submitted by BSQ by the end of September requesting that the case be referred to the Grand Chamber.

Lewis and Roger discussed various aspects of the Sanchez-Sanchez Grand Chamber decision which despite a detailed judgement, remain uncertain. The issues raised in the discussion will be the subject of a forthcoming blog.

You can read more about our specialist extradition practice here.

If you require advice and assistance in relation to an extradition case please contact our London offices.