Merticariu (Appellant) v Judecatoria Arad, Romania (Respondent)

Case summary

Case ID

UKSC/2022/0127

Parties

Appellant(s)

Ionut-Bogdan Merticariu

Respondent(s)

Judecatoria Arad, Romania

Issue

(1) Would a requested person be entitled to a retrial or (on appeal) to a review amounting to a retrial where the law of the requesting state confers a right to retrial which depends on a finding by a judicial authority, in the requesting state, as to whether the requested person was deliberately absent from his trial? (2) Would a requested person be entitled to a retrial or (on appeal) to a review amounting to a retrial where it is not possible for a judge to say that a finding of deliberate absence by a judicial authority, in the requesting state, is "theoretical" or "so remote that it can be discounted"?

Facts

Ionut-Bogdan Merticariu is subject to a European Arrest Warrant ("EAW") issued by the Romanian Judicial Authority on 7 May 2019. Acting with others, Mr Merticariu entered commercial premises using a key which the group had as employees of the business concerned. Goods valued at around EUR 1,500 were taken but some of these were later returned. Mr Merticariu was convicted and sentenced for the burglary of commercial premises in his absence.Mr Merticariu was arrested under the EAW on 25 September 2019. Following a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court, Mr Merticariu's extradition was ordered. The High Court dismissed Mr Merticariu's appeal. Mr Merticariu now seeks permission to appeal to the UK Supreme Court. Mr Merticariu contests his extradition. One of the conditions for a court to make an extradition order under s.20(5) of The Extradition Act 2003 requires the court to be satisfied that the requested person would be entitled to a retrial or (on appeal) to a review amounting to a retrial. Mr Merticariu argues that this requirement has not been satisfied and that he should be discharged.

Date of issue

2 August 2022

Judgment appealed

Judgment details

Judgment date

6 March 2024

Neutral citation

[2024] UKSC 10

Judgment links

Judgment summary

6 March 2024

Appeal

Justices

Lord Hodge

Lord Sales

Lord Burrows

Lord Stephens

Lord Burnett

Hearing dates

Start date

29 November 2023

End date

29 November 2023

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