Europol & European Arrest Warrant Defence Lawyers
Facing a Europol investigation, a European Arrest Warrant (EAW), a Schengen (SIS II) alert or an Interpol Red Notice? Our international defence team acts fast, discreetly and across borders to protect your liberty and your rights throughout the European Union.
A Europol case can move across the whole EU in days
Europol coordinates investigations between the police and prosecutors of 27 EU member states. Once a European Arrest Warrant is issued or a Schengen alert is entered, you can be detained in any member state — early, specialist intervention shapes the entire outcome.
Arrest in any member state
A European Arrest Warrant or an Article 26 SIS II alert can trigger provisional arrest at any EU border or during a routine check.
Coordinated across borders
Europol links national investigations, joint investigation teams and data exchange — a single file can involve several countries at once.
Global knock-on effects
An EU case is often mirrored by an Interpol Red Notice, freezing travel and banking far beyond Europe.
Full-spectrum Europol & EAW defence
One specialist team covering every stage — from the first contact by investigators to the discharge of an unlawful surrender request.
European Arrest Warrant defence
Contesting surrender under Framework Decision 2002/584/JHA on legal, procedural and human-rights grounds.
Europol investigations
Advice and representation where Europol supports a cross-border investigation or joint investigation team.
Interpol Red Notice removal
Pre-emptive checks and CCF submissions to delete unlawful Red Notices and diffusions.
Schengen (SIS II) alerts
Challenging and removing alerts entered in the Schengen Information System.
EU extradition defence
Defending surrender and extradition between EU states and to third countries.
Human-rights defence
Fair-trial, detention-conditions and proportionality arguments under EU and ECHR law.
How a European Arrest Warrant works
The European Arrest Warrant is governed by Council Framework Decision 2002/584/JHA and operates between all EU member states. It replaces traditional extradition between EU countries with a faster judicial surrender procedure based on mutual recognition.
A warrant can be issued for prosecution or to enforce a custodial sentence. For a defined list of serious offences the requirement of double criminality is removed, which makes the grounds for refusal — and the way the case is argued in the first days — decisive.
Europol itself has no power to arrest; it coordinates and supports the national authorities that do. Understanding who is acting, and under which instrument, is the first step of any defence.
Grounds to resist surrender
- Mandatory refusal — amnesty, double jeopardy (ne bis in idem) or the person is a minor.
- Optional refusal — proceedings for the same act, lapse of time or territoriality.
- Fundamental rights — real risk of inhuman detention conditions or an unfair trial.
- Proportionality — the warrant is disproportionate to the alleged conduct.
- Procedural defects — a defective, incomplete or ambiguous warrant.
- Speciality — protection against prosecution for other offences after surrender.
A clear path from first call to resolution
Urgent assessment
A confidential review of the warrant, alert or notice within hours — we map the legal basis and the risks.
Strategy
We identify every ground for refusal and coordinate counsel in the issuing and executing states.
Action
We file challenges, CCF submissions and representations, and appear in urgent surrender hearings.
Resolution
Discharge, refusal or deletion — and protection of your travel, banking and reputation.
Is your name in the Interpol database?
A Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant — it is a request to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition. Many Red Notices are not visible on the public list. Where a notice breaches Interpol’s rules — for example political motivation, inaccurate data or insufficient verification — it can be challenged and deleted through the Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files (CCF).
Removal at a glance
① Analyse the notice & legal grounds
② Prepare and file a detailed CCF submission
③ CCF review of the request
④ Deletion notified to member countries
An international team built for cross-border cases
EU-wide coverage
European Arrest Warrant, Europol, SIS II and Interpol work across all 27 member states and beyond.
Available 24/7
Emergency response for arrests and detentions — we answer when it counts most.
Established practice
Operated by Collegium of International Lawyers LP (LP023044), with offices in Limassol and London.
Frequently asked questions
Can Europol arrest me?
What is a European Arrest Warrant?
Can a European Arrest Warrant be challenged?
What is a Schengen (SIS II) alert?
What should I do if I am detained on a warrant or alert?
How quickly should I instruct a lawyer?
Speak to a European defence lawyer now
Confidential, no-obligation assessment of your Europol, European Arrest Warrant or Interpol matter. Available 24/7 for urgent arrests.
Strictly confidential · Legally privileged · No obligation
