An Interpol Red Notice is a crucial tool for international cooperation among law enforcement agencies, allowing countries to quickly share information about wanted persons.
In the United Kingdom, just like in other countries, red notices serve as a signal that a certain individual is wanted for committing a crime. This notice isn’t an arrest warrant, but it significantly simplifies the process of detaining suspects and their extradition to the country where they are accused of criminal activities. In the context of globalization and the rise of transnational crime, red notices have become an important tool in combating the criminal world, ensuring more effective cooperation between law enforcement agencies across different countries.
The short version for the United Kingdom, before the detail below.
Question
Position
Is an INTERPOL Red Notice an arrest warrant?
No. It is a request to locate and provisionally arrest, and it must rest on a warrant or court order issued by the requesting country.
Who decides whether to act on it in the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom’s own authorities, applying national law. INTERPOL has no enforcement powers and cannot compel any member country to arrest.
Can an alert exist without appearing anywhere public?
Yes. Only a portion of Red Notices are published, and diffusions — alerts sent directly between national bureaus — are never published at all.
How do I establish what INTERPOL holds about me?
Through a data access request to the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files. A public search cannot rule anything out.
Where is the alert itself challenged?
Before the CCF, which decides on documents alone — no hearing, and no internal appeal from its decision.
Does deleting the notice end the case?
No. The warrant or prosecution in the requesting state stands on its own and has to be addressed separately — see Red Notice removal.
What are Interpol’s Red Notices?
A Red notice is an international alert notice that requests Interpol member countries to assist in locating and detaining an individual connected to serious crimes pending extradition proceedings. The formal extradition request is distributed across 190+ member countries, including the United Kingdom (UK). However, a red notice isn’t an international arrest warrant since the requested country has to choose whether to arrest a person pending extradition.
Features of the Red Notice and Extradition in the United Kingdom
An extradition request is a formal process where one country asks another to return a person to face trial for an alleged offence or serve a sentence. In line with multilateral conventions and bilateral extradition treaties, the UK maintains extradition relationships with over 100 territories worldwide.
Even if the UK doesn’t have an extradition agreement or treaty with a certain territory, that territory can still submit a request to the UK. Incoming requests are directed to the UK Central Authority (UKCA) before the Secretary of State decides whether to enter into “special extradition arrangements.
Interpol operations in the United Kingdom are conducted through the National Central Bureau (NCB) in London. This bureau combines the resources and intelligence of Interpol’s global network with the efforts of the UK’s domestic law enforcement agencies. However, Interpol’s operations in London and the UK as a whole are governed by a complex legal framework that intertwines international agreements, UK legislation, and the Interpol Constitution/rules.
1. Visiting the official Interpol website
The institute has a publicly accessible list of wanted individuals in the UK by Interpol on its website, where you can identify public red notices issued by Interpol based on specified criteria, including: name(s), gender, nationality, requesting country, and keyword. However, keep in mind that this list of wanted individuals in the UK by Interpol is far from exhaustive and only contains 10% of the 60,000 active red notices, with the rest available only through restricted databases of wanted individuals in the UK by Interpol, accessible exclusively to national law enforcement agencies. Additionally, as mentioned before, the dissemination of information is an intergovernmental request and is not published.
2. Requesting information from internal police forces
You can find out if there’s an Interpol Red Notice against you by reaching out to your local police department. This can be done informally, like making a phone call, or through a formal request, relying on data protection laws or information request mechanisms that preserve your right to access data about yourself.
You can also submit a written request for information through EuroJust, the European Union’s Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation, and the Schengen Information System II Supervision Coordination Group, which is a database shared by Schengen Agreement countries. The UK has access to these database systems, so requests regarding the identification of data stored in the EU and Schengen area can be made.
Keep in mind that if the police have information about a Red Notice against you, it might be wise to avoid making your request in person at a police station without a lawyer who is familiar with your case. Instead, try doing it over the phone or, even safer, through a legal representative. If the police confirm that there is a warrant, your legal representative can contact the police to ensure a swift and peaceful resolution of the matter without the need for an unexpected arrest.
3. Submitting a request for data access to the Interpol File Control Commission.
The most reliable step you can take for your investigation is to reach out to the CCF, the body tasked with ensuring Interpol’s data processing complies with its own rules. At this stage, it’s recommended to seek a lawyer’s assistance, who will help you meet all the criteria. To be valid, requests must meet various criteria, including being correctly addressed; permissible; including proper content; and adhering to procedural deadlines.
How can you get a red notification removed?
1. Seek Legal Advice from an Interpol Red Notice Lawyer in London
If you have received a red notice from Interpol in London, it is crucial to immediately consult with an experienced Interpol Red Notice lawyer from London. Red notices carry serious implications for your freedom, travel, and employment opportunities.
A Red Notice (RN) is a request from a member country for the location and arrest of a wanted person for extradition to the country where criminal charges have been filed. It typically includes identifying information, legal details, specifics of the crime, as well as photographs of the person being sought.
Unfortunately, red notices are sometimes misused, including in politically motivated cases such as the return of refugees or the targeting of dissidents. While Interpol, under Article 3 of its Constitution, prohibits intervention in political, military, racial, or religious matters, abuses still occur.
Only a qualified Interpol Red Notice lawyer in UK can properly assess whether your notice violates Interpol’s rules and can initiate the necessary procedures for its removal. Acting without legal support greatly reduces your chances of success.
2. Reach out to the Interpol Commission for the Control of Files (CCF) through Professional Representation
If your name is listed under a red notice, filing a request with the Commission for the Control of Files (CCF) is essential. The CCF, composed of two chambers staffed by legal experts, reviews whether Interpol’s data processing complies with its rules and principles.
The CCF is an independent body that ensures data processing within Interpol adheres to its rules. It consists of two chambers: the Advisory Chamber and the Requests Chamber, both staffed with lawyers.
Our Interpol Red Notice lawyer in London can assist you in preparing a comprehensive application to the CCF, ensuring that all relevant legal arguments are presented. The CCF can then decide to delete, modify, or add disclaimers to your personal file. Having a skilled lawyer manage this process maximizes your chances of a favorable outcome, as the legal standards and procedural requirements are complex and often misunderstood by individuals acting alone.
3. Contact the Police and Your Lawyer
If you are a foreign national who has received a red notice from Interpol while residing in the United Kingdom, it is critical to immediately notify both the police and your Interpol red notice lawyers in London.
A red notice can heavily impact your immigration process: you may be arrested at the border, detained for extended periods, denied asylum or bail, or have your immigration status jeopardized. In some cases, you could face new criminal proceedings triggered by the notice itself.
If you are recognized as a refugee, Interpol’s rules mandate the deletion of red notices or diffusions relating to your case. However, the submission of evidence under Article 3 of Interpol’s Constitution must be handled professionally. Having an Interpol Red Notice lawyer in UK by your side ensures that the correct procedures are followed and that your rights are fully protected.
4. Contact a Human Rights Law Firm in London
Human rights organizations and specialized law firms in London play a critical role in protecting individuals targeted through politically motivated red notices. These institutions conduct research, advocacy, and provide direct legal assistance to victims of human rights abuses.
If you believe the red notice against you is politically or religiously motivated, or if you are at risk of persecution, immediate legal action is necessary. Collaborating with a human rights-focused legal team ensures that strong evidence is presented to Interpol and that the broader international community is informed of your case.
Providing letters from government officials, reports from international bodies, and personal impact statements can greatly strengthen your application for red notice removal. An Interpol red notice lawyer in London or an expert human rights lawyer ensures that your defense is structured, credible, and aligned with international standards — dramatically improving your chances of success.
What is extradition?
Extradition is the legal process of transferring a person convicted of a criminal offence from one jurisdiction to another for prosecution or execution of a sentence. The main function of extradition relations is to combat international organized crime and terrorism. Let’s look at how the extradition process works, the countries with which the UK has an extradition treaty and those with which it does not.
Extradition process in the UK
Extradition UK has a complex and well-developed system, governed by the Extradition Act 2003. The Extradition Act sets out the legal framework for extradition arrangements with both EU member states and other countries around the world. The extradition process in the UK involves several key stages:
Receipt of an extradition request: a foreign country makes a formal extradition request for the surrender of a person accused or convicted of a crime;
Arrest and trial: Once a request is received, UK law enforcement can detain the person requested. Following the provisional arrest, the case is referred to a magistrates’ court, where the grounds for extradition are considered;
Assessing the grounds for extradition from the UK: the court assesses whether the request meets the requirements for dual criminality, meaning the extradition offence must be a crime in both countries. The extradition hearing also takes into account the individual’s human rights and the risk of their violation if extradited. If the request violates any of these regulations, the requested country can refuse extradition.
Appeals: If extradition is granted, the person requested has the right to appeal to the High Court and, if necessary, the Supreme Court. However, the High Court can’t hear any appeals until the Secretary of State authorizes the requested person’s extradition proceedings.
Final decision: Once all legal procedures have been completed and the decision to extradite has been confirmed, the Home Secretary signs the extradition order.
Extradition in the UK strictly adheres to its international human rights obligations, including the provisions of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. These proceedings also consider whether any statutory bars to extradition apply.
For example, under Article 3 of the Convention, extradition requests cannot be carried out if there is a real risk of torture or inhuman or degrading treatment. Lack of prosecution decision is also another reason that may prohibit extradition from the UK.
Which countries do not have an extradition treaty with the UK?
The absence of a bilateral treaty between the UK and the requesting state can complicate an extradition arrangement over a requested person. However, even in such cases, extradition processes can be carried out based on multilateral treaties or the principle of reciprocity. Some extradition countries in the UK are not on the list of states with which formal agreements have been concluded, which can complicate cooperation in this area, for example:
Republic of China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau)
North Korea
Maldives
Mongolia
Namibia
Nepal
Countries with an extradition treaty with the UK
The UK has an extensive network of extradition arrangements with many countries around the world. These treaties provide a legal basis for cooperation in criminal justice, setting out clear procedures and conditions for the transfer of accused persons. The existence of such agreements demonstrates mutual trust between countries and their willingness to work together to combat crime.
Countries that have concluded an extradition treaty with the UK usually agree on the following provisions in the treaties:
Double criminality: the crime for which extradition is sought must be punishable in both countries;
Minimum severity of the crime: a minimum sentence is often set, such as at least one year in prison;
Exceptions: Political crimes, war crimes, and cases where the person may be persecuted for reasons of race, religion, or political opinion are usually excluded from extradition.
Extradition between the UK and Dubai
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), of which Dubai is a part, has a bilateral extradition treaty with the UK, signed in 2008 and entered into force in 2013. This treaty sets out the legal framework and procedures for extradition between the two countries, facilitating more effective cooperation in the fight against crime.
Features of the process:
Formal procedures: the extradition request must comply with treaty and national law;
Human rights risk assessment: UK courts take into account the possibility of a violation of the requested person’s rights in the event of extradition, in line with the European Convention on Human Rights;
Double criminality: the offence must be punishable in both countries.
Extradition between the UK and Thailand
Extradition in the UK and Thailand is based on an extradition treaty signed in 1911 and ratified by both countries. This treaty sets out the procedures and conditions for the transfer of accused persons. The extradition process involves a formal request, the detention of the person including a trial.
Features of the process:
Human Rights: UK courts carefully assess whether a person’s fundamental rights are being violated, including the risk of the death penalty or ill-treatment. Under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, extradition may be refused if there is such a risk;
Fair Trial Guarantees: Thailand’s judicial system is reviewed to ensure that it provides a fair trial.
Extradition between the UK and Cyprus
The UK and Cyprus have long-standing historical ties and are parties to the European Convention on Extradition of 1957. This ensures uniformity of procedures and high standards of human rights protection.
Key stages:
Direct cooperation: the judicial authorities of both countries can directly interact within the established legal framework;
Respect for human rights: both states are bound by the European Convention on Human Rights, which provides additional protection for requested persons;
Accelerated procedures: the existence of common legal standards allows for a reduction in the time required to process extradition requests.
Extradition in the UK and Cyprus is carried out under national laws and international obligations. The courts of both countries are obliged to ensure a fair trial and respect for human rights as provided for in international treaties.
The Role and Jurisdiction of Interpol in London
Interpol’s red notices are a crucial component of international law enforcement activities. Serving as a global alert system, these notices are integral to tracking and apprehending individuals crossing international borders. However, their impact extends beyond law enforcement agencies, affecting legal proceedings and individual rights within jurisdictions.
As an institution, Interpol doesn’t have investigative or prosecutorial powers, it merely assists police forces from different countries in collaborating on transnational cases. The execution of extradition requests and legal actions related to criminal cases fall under the jurisdiction of the respective national police or law enforcement agencies in London.
Not sure how to proceed with Interpol in London? Contact us for a consultation.
How Can Our Interpol Red Notice Lawyers Help You?
Legal Consultation
Lawyers specializing in Interpol Red Notices can provide explanations about what an Interpol Red Notice is, the rights and obligations of individuals who are subject to it, and how it might affect their situation.
Contesting a Notice
If you believe that the red notice was issued without merit, our lawyers can assist in preparing and filing an appeal against the notice with Interpol.
Court representation
If needed, our attorneys can represent a client’s interests in court, helping to ensure the protection of rights and legal interests during the extradition process.
Extradition Consulting
Lawyers can provide information on extradition procedures, help understand the requirements, and ensure compliance with all legal standards.
Coordination with international bodies
Lawyers may have experience working with international law enforcement agencies and can act as a liaison between the client and Interpol.
Assistance in gathering evidence
An Interpol Red Notice can help in collecting the necessary documents and evidence to support your position, which can be crucial for protecting your rights.
Working with a Solicitor on an INTERPOL Case in the UK
A UK case almost always has two forums, and they do not talk to each other. The alert itself is a data question, decided in Lyon by the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files. Anything that happens to you in this country — arrest on a provisional warrant, a bail hearing, a contested extradition — runs through domestic proceedings, and extradition cases are heard at Westminster Magistrates’ Court whatever part of the UK you live in. The channel that brings the request here sits with the National Crime Agency, which hosts the UK’s INTERPOL bureau.
Why London keeps coming up, and when it matters
People search for a solicitor in London because that is where the extradition court and the specialist bar sit, and for a contested hearing that is the right instinct. For the alert itself, location is beside the point: the application is written, filed and argued on paper in Lyon, and the address it is sent from changes nothing. What does change the outcome is whether whoever runs it has read how the Commission decides these points — and whether the same material is being built to serve both forums at once, because evidence that a case is political or that the file has been dressed up does work in front of a district judge as well as in Lyon.
The published decisions, and how they are used here
INTERPOL has released the reasoning behind a body of Commission decisions, and we publish all of it — the ground argued and the outcome in each file — as a searchable catalogue of CCF decisions. Two groups matter most for requests that arrive in the UK from outside Europe. The first is Article 3 and the predominance test: where the political element predominates, INTERPOL is barred from taking the case up at all, and the same factual case underpins an abuse argument in the domestic proceedings. The second is data quality and seriousness: a description that never says what this person is supposed to have done, when and by what means is vulnerable on its own terms, and a request built on it tends to be thin in court as well.
After Brexit, the surrender route changed but the alert did not
The European Arrest Warrant no longer applies to the United Kingdom; surrender to and from EU states now runs under the post-withdrawal arrangements instead. None of that touches INTERPOL. A Red Notice or a diffusion circulates on the same basis it always did, is still not an arrest warrant, and is still removable only through the Commission — which is why a case that looks settled once a surrender request fails can keep causing trouble at borders and in compliance checks until the data itself is dealt with. Our page on Red Notice removal sets out that procedure step by step, and international extradition covers the court side.
Applications to the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files are drafted and signed by a senior partner, and you deal with that partner throughout — the argument you file is the one you discussed.
Dmytro KonovalenkoSenior Partner, Attorney-at-law, admitted to the Bar (Certificate to practice Law #001156)
Fees are set after a free assessment of the file, because the work depends on whether a notice exists at all, which country supplied the data and how far the case behind it has gone. See the full team on our team page, or speak to a partner directly: +357 96 447475.
FAQ
How does INTERPOL operate in the United Kingdom?
INTERPOL has no officers or powers of its own in the United Kingdom. It runs a secure communication network and a set of databases, and every operational act — a check at a border, a question at passport control, an arrest — is carried out by national authorities under national law. What reaches the United Kingdom is data: a notice or a diffusion circulated at another country’s request, which local authorities then decide what to do with.
How do I find out whether an INTERPOL alert names me in the United Kingdom?
Not from the police and not from the National Crime Agency, which hosts the UK’s National Central Bureau — neither discloses to an individual what INTERPOL holds about them, and a subject access request to a UK body answers a different question. The authoritative route is a data access request to the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files.
On what grounds can an alert involving the United Kingdom be challenged?
INTERPOL’s own rules supply the grounds, not the Extradition Act 2003: a political, military, religious or racial character to the case, a serious risk to the person, data that is inaccurate or no longer current, or a request that fails the organisation’s thresholds. A Westminster Magistrates’ Court hearing and a Commission decision are separate proceedings, argued on separate records.
Should the alert or the underlying case be attacked first?
Usually both. Extradition proceedings in the UK run to court timetables that will not wait, while the Commission works to its own and can take many months — but a deletion removes the alert in every member country, which a discharge here does not. The immediate track is wherever bail, arrest or surrender is live.
Can an alert affect banking, work or residence in the United Kingdom?
Yes, and typically before any court date. UK banks screen against adverse-information lists, the Home Office weighs adverse information in immigration and citizenship decisions, and regulated employers and the FCA-approved roles run their own checks. Account closure and a stalled immigration file are the usual first symptoms.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, please consult a qualified lawyer.
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