Written by Cheryl Ng, Advocate & Solicitor
What a Red Notice is
A Red Notice is a request circulated by INTERPOL, at a member country’s instance, to locate a person and provisionally arrest one pending extradition. It is a request, not an order, and it is not a Singapore legal instrument.
Arrest for extradition in Singapore requires a warrant issued by a Singapore Magistrate under the Extradition Act. Nothing else will do.
What it does here
Its practical function is intelligence. It alerts the authorities that another country is looking for one. They may then invite the requesting country to seek a provisional arrest warrant, or that country may act under the provisional-arrest provisions of its treaty with Singapore.
A Red Notice is therefore rarely the end of the matter. It is often the beginning of one.
Why this is the stage that matters
If there is a Red Notice but no arrest, this is the period in which the most can be done — and the period in which the fewest people think to take advice.
Once an arrest happens, one will in all likelihood remain in custody for the duration of the proceedings. Before that point, there is room to establish whether Singapore can extradite to the country concerned at all, to assess whether the conduct alleged would even be an extradition offence, and to take advice in both countries in an orderly way.
If you are aware of a Red Notice, or suspect one, it is worth speaking to us now rather than waiting.
If you have learned of a Red Notice, or suspect one has been issued, the window before any arrest is the time when advice makes the greatest difference. Contact us to arrange a discussion about your situation.
The information on this page is general in nature and may not reflect the latest developments. Extradition arrangements change, and the law develops over time. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice, and reading it does not create a solicitor–client relationship. For advice on your own situation, please contact us.