Susan Nash

The Admissibility of Evidence in Extradition Proceedings: R v Governor of Brixton Prison, ex parte Levin

I n Rv Governor ofBrixtonPrison, exparteLevin [1997]3 WLR117 the House of Lords was called upon to consider. inter alia. whether the normal rules of criminal evidence and procedure apply to extradition proceedings. Dismissing an appeal against the refusal by the Divisional Court of an application for a writ of habeas corpus. the court held that since extradition proceedings are criminal proceedings. the committing magistrate was entitled to apply the provisions of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (the 1984 Act). Furthermore. their Lordships were of the opinion that computer printouts. tendered as a record of the transfer of funds. should not be regarded as hearsay. This case is a welcome development and dispels any doubt as to the nature of extradition proceedings.