Dubai and the United Kingdom: Is there really an extradition agreement?
In recent years, questions have increasingly arisen: is there a full-fledged extradition treaty between Dubai and the United Kingdom, and what real legal consequences could this have for entrepreneurs, investors, and expats? The answer is important not only for those planning to relocate but also for individuals who may face cross-border legal risks. If you reside in Dubai but have business or legal ties with the United Kingdom, it is crucial to understand when and how extradition can be initiated and what steps to take to protect your interests. Often, qualified legal assistance is required, taking into account international norms, internal procedures, and the risk of oppressive prosecution.
Our team of lawyers specializes in cases related to extradition and international legal protection. We assess the legality of extradition requests, file appeals, accompany clients at all stages of the process, and protect their rights both in the UAE and the UK.
Does Dubai have an extradition agreement with the United Kingdom?
The extradition treaty between the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates was signed in London on December 6, 2006. It came into force in 2008 after ratification by both parties. From that moment, the United Kingdom became one of the few Western countries to have a formal extradition agreement with the UAE.
According to the agreement, the parties undertake to extradite to each other persons wanted on charges or convictions for crimes punishable by imprisonment for a term of at least one year. The request may be denied in cases of a political nature, the threat of the death penalty (if alternative measures are not guaranteed), or if the accused is a citizen of the UAE.
Requests must be accompanied by an official arrest warrant or court verdict, a detailed description of the crime, information about the identity of the wanted person, and copies of the law indicating the sanction.
For those in Dubai facing the threat of extradition, it is extremely important to act quickly:
- Hire a lawyer specializing in international affairs;
- Obtain an independent legal review of the legality of the request;
- If there is political motivation — contact international human rights organizations.
It is also possible to challenge the request on the grounds of human rights violations, including excessive punishment, discrimination, or the lack of a fair trial in the initiating country.
We provide comprehensive legal assistance in cases related to international extradition. Our team of lawyers has experience working both in the UAE and in the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom. We support the client at all stages: from analyzing the request to legal defense and filing complaints. We will ensure the protection of your rights at the international level.
Overview of the extradition agreement between the United Kingdom and Dubai
Despite the complex legal systems of both countries, there is an official extradition agreement between the United Kingdom and the UAE, which regulates the legal mechanism for the transfer of suspects and convicted individuals.
The application of the contract is governed by the national laws of both countries:
- United Kingdom: Extradition Act 2003 — the basic regulatory act establishing procedures, categories of crimes, and conditions for extraditing individuals abroad. It divides countries into categories (Part 1 and Part 2), and the UAE falls under Part 2 as a country with a bilateral agreement.
- UAE: Federal Law No. 39 of 2006 on International Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters, which defines the rules for considering extradition requests, admissible evidence, and possible grounds for refusal.
Both laws take into account the international obligations of states in the field of human rights and protect against arbitrary extradition.
Extradition is possible if both parties recognize the act as a criminal offense. That is, the crime must fall under the criminal legislation of both the United Kingdom and the UAE. Furthermore, the punishment for it must involve imprisonment for a term of at least one year. The procedure is initiated only after an official request from the initiating state, the provision of a complete set of documents (including an arrest warrant, a description of the charges, and evidence), and a preliminary review by the executive and judicial authorities of the receiving party.
The agreement covers a wide range of crimes, including:
- Economic crimes: fraud, money laundering, tax evasion, abuse of corporate assets;
- Criminal offenses: murders, assaults, kidnappings, sexual crimes;
- Crimes in the field of ICT and digital technologies: cyber fraud, hacking, and the distribution of malicious software;
- Drug crimes and human trafficking;
- Terrorist activity and participation in extremist groups.
Important: Extradition is not permitted if the crime is of a political or military nature, if basic principles of human rights are violated, or if the wanted person is a citizen of the UAE.
The legal process of extradition from Dubai to the United Kingdom
Stage 1. Initiation of the extradition request
The procedure begins with the submission of an official extradition request. The request is sent through diplomatic channels via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and must include:
- Detailed description of the accusation and factual circumstances of the case;
- Legal qualification of the act;
- Copies of the arrest warrant and other court decisions;
- Evidence confirming guilt (in the case of extradition for trial, not for the execution of a sentence).
The package of documents is submitted to the Ministry of Justice of the UAE, and then to the General Prosecutor’s Office, which initiates a review of the request’s compliance with legal requirements.
Stage 2: Detention of the individual in Dubai
If the requested person is located in the territory of Dubai, the court or prosecution may issue a warrant for temporary detention. This is possible even before the formal extradition procedure is completed if it concerns individuals on an international wanted list. The detained person is taken to the investigative division of the police and is granted the right to defense and legal representation. The British side and consular services are notified of the detention if necessary.
Stage 3: Preliminary Court Hearing
After the detention, a preliminary court hearing is conducted within the framework of federal jurisdiction, during which the presence of sufficient grounds for detention, the legitimacy of the extradition request, and compliance with formal requirements for documents are reviewed. At this stage, the accused may present evidence of violations of their rights, the unlawfulness of the request, or the inadmissibility of extradition.
Stage 4: Trial on the Merits
The main hearing is taking place in a federal court of the UAE. The court analyzes the presence of the principle of double jeopardy, the absence of political motivation, and compliance with the principle of a fair trial in the requesting state. During the proceedings, the individual has the right to legal representation, an interpreter, the provision of written and oral explanations, and the presentation of evidence. If there are justified grounds for refusing extradition, the court may reject the request.
Stage 5: Court decision and possible appeal
If the court makes a decision in favor of extradition, it must be approved by the Attorney General and the Ministry of Justice. The accused has the right to appeal within the established timeframe. The appeal is considered by a higher court, which may confirm, overturn, or modify the decision.
Important: even after a court decision, the executive authority of the UAE has the right to make the final decision on extradition or refuse it on diplomatic, humanitarian, or political grounds.
Stage 6: Transfer of the person to the British authorities
After the final approval of extradition, the individual is handed over to representatives of the law enforcement authorities of the United Kingdom. Usually, the transfer procedure is carried out at Dubai International Airport under the supervision of Emirati police and immigration services. All actions are documented with the appropriate protocols, including a transfer act.
We provide professional legal support at all stages of the extradition process: from appealing the request to interacting with the court and UAE authorities. Our lawyers have experience with international cases and will help you defend your rights in the face of extradition threats.
Grounds for objection to extradition to the UAE
Although the UAE actively cooperates with other countries within the framework of international agreements, the law provides clear grounds on which extradition can be contested or denied:
- Double criminality. The act for which a person is being sought must be recognized as a criminal offense in both jurisdictions;
- The principle of non bis in idem. If a person has already been acquitted, convicted, and served their sentence or is undergoing proceedings in the UAE on the same grounds, extradition is not permitted.
- Statute of limitations. According to Article 10 of UAE Federal Law No. 39 of 2006 on Extradition, a country may refuse extradition if the crime or its punishment is no longer subject to prosecution due to the expiration of the statute of limitations under the laws of the UAE or the requesting state. The time limits depend on the category of offense and can range from 3 to 15 years.
- The risk of torture, inhuman or degrading treatment. As a party to the Convention Against Torture (UNCAT), the UAE cannot extradite individuals who face a real risk of being subjected to torture, cruel or degrading treatment, arbitrary detention, or inhumane custody.
- The absence of guarantees for a fair trial. Another argument for refusal of extradition is the lack of proper procedural guarantees in the initiating country: there is no independent court, the trial is conducted in absentia without the possibility of defense, and there is no right to appeal.
- Political motivation of the request. If there are reasonable grounds to believe that the extradition request is politically motivated, it is subject to rejection. This concerns persecution for political views, cases related to opposition, activism, and freedom of speech.
- Citizenship of the UAE. A UAE citizen is not subject to extradition unless otherwise provided by an international agreement. Instead, a process of prosecution may be initiated on the territory of the Emirates (based on the principle of “aut dedere aut judicare”).
- International status and asylum. If a person is recognized as a refugee or has received international protection (temporary asylum or stateless person status), extradition is not permitted in case of risk of violation of fundamental rights.
Does the United Kingdom extradite people to Dubai?
British courts carefully examine whether Article 3 (prohibition of torture and inhuman treatment) and Article 6 (right to a fair trial) are violated during extradition. For example, in the case of Lodhi v Secretary of State for the Home Department (2010), the court refused extradition due to doubts about the independence of the Emirati judicial system and prison conditions. Similarly, in 2021, a case involving a British businessman arrested in the United Kingdom at the request of the UAE caused widespread public outcry, where the defense argued there was a risk of arbitrary detention and politically motivated prosecution.
An additional barrier may be the lack of Dubai’s reputation as a jurisdiction that adheres to international human rights standards, especially in cases concerning freedom of speech, sexual orientation, and gender equality. Judges often require assurances from Emirati authorities regarding detention conditions, access to lawyers, and the absence of the threat of ill-treatment. Without such assurances, extradition may be denied.
Extradition cases between the United Kingdom and Dubai
One of the most well-known and prolonged cases was the case of Mohammed Lodhi, a Pakistani businessman accused by the UAE of organizing drug production. An extradition request sent in 2000 was rejected by a British court. In 2010, the High Court ruled that if extradited, Lodhi would likely face torture and an unfair trial. This is the first and, to this day, the only successful challenge to extradition from the United Kingdom to Dubai.
In another high-profile case, British Nigerian James Ibori was extradited from Dubai in 2010 on charges of money laundering and corruption. This case became a rare confirmation of the possibility of cooperation given sufficient legal guarantees and evidence.
Practice shows: if the request is supported by convincing evidence, there are no risks of human rights violations, and there are judicial guarantees, extradition from Dubai is possible.
Legal assistance in extradition cases between the United Kingdom and Dubai
Extradition cases between the United Kingdom and Dubai require an accurate understanding of the legal mechanisms of both countries, as well as international human rights standards. Our lawyers provide comprehensive legal support both at the request stage and during court proceedings. We assist in gathering evidence indicating risks for the client in case of extradition.
One of the key stages is early legal protection. Timely consultation with lawyers allows for the development of a defense strategy even before official detention or the submission of an extradition request. We analyze international treaties, applicable acts, provide advice on asylum law, and interact with relevant international organizations.
If necessary, we also assist the client in filing appeals and petitions to the European Court of Human Rights and coordinate actions between jurisdictions. Our goal is not just to defend the client’s rights but to ensure their protection on an international level. If you or your loved ones are facing the threat of extradition between the UK and Dubai, do not delay. Contact our legal team today for a risk assessment and the development of a legal strategy.
