What happens if I am arrested on an extradition warrant — how quickly must I act?

Time limits are extremely compressed in extradition proceedings. In the UK, you must appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court within 48 hours of arrest. In EU states operating under the European Arrest Warrant system, consent hearings occur within days. Critically, applications for interim measures to the ECHR under Rule 39 must often be filed within hours to prevent imminent removal. Evidence supporting political motivation defences should be assembled immediately. Delays in instructing specialist counsel can result in missed procedural deadlines that permanently foreclose certain defence avenues.