On 23 January, 2007, the Divisional Court confirmed in Norris v US that a UK national should be extradited for price-fixing and obstructing the course of justice pursuant to the controversial US/UK Treaty of Extradition 2003 and the Extradition Act 2003.
This carefully reasoned decision is important for three reasons. First, the court held for the first time that price-fixing constitutes an offence of conspiracy to defraud. Secondly, the court helpfully spelt out the operation of the double criminality and transposition rules set out in the Act. Thirdly, the decision provides guidance on how to balance the competing objectives of ensuring that serious crimes are prosecuted and protecting human rights.
