The Forum Bar in UK Extradition Law: An Unnecessary Failure. (April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arnell, Paul; Davies, Gemma
• Is Part Of: Journal of criminal law. Volume 84:Number 2(2020)
• Page Start: 142
• Page End: 162
• Publication Date: 2020-04
• Subjects: Extradition -- forum -- forum bar -- concurrent jurisdiction -- forum non conveniens; Criminal law -- England -- Periodicals; Criminal law -- Wales -- Periodicals; 345.42
• DOI: 10.1177/0022018320902544
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-0183

Abstract

The introduction of the forum bar into UK extradition law was unnecessary. It is a failure. It was unnecessary because extant law addressed, or could have addressed, the putative mischief giving rise to it. It is a failure because it admits only limited and optional prosecutorial input into forum bar decisions and, more fundamentally, because it is founded upon two misplaced premises. The forum bar is irredeemable and should be repealed.