Our Services
Red Notice Removal Lawyer
An INTERPOL Red Notice can restrict movement, damage reputation, and disrupt personal and professional life.
At Otherside, we assist individuals and legal teams in challenging and removing Red Notices that have been unlawfully issued or misused.
Our work is informed by direct experience inside Interpol. Before founding Otherside, Charlie Magri served as a Legal Officer at the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) — the body responsible for reviewing and deleting data within INTERPOL’s systems.
We provide discreet, strategic, and effective representation in all aspects of Red Notice removal.
What Is a Red Notice
A Red Notice is a request circulated by INTERPOL at the request of a member country. It asks police worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest an individual pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.
Although it is often described as an international arrest warrant, it is not one. Each member country decides whether to act on a Red Notice under its own laws. In practice, however, many authorities treat it as binding — leading to arrests, travel restrictions, visa refusals, and serious reputational harm.
Grounds for Removal
INTERPOL’s Constitution and its Rules on the Processing of Data set strict limits on the information that can appear in its systems. A Red Notice must comply with these rules in both substance and purpose.
At Otherside, we seek removal where a notice breaches INTERPOL’s legal framework or international standards. The most common grounds includ
Political or commercial motivation – the notice targets an individual for reasons unrelated to genuine law enforcement.
Violation of due process or human rights – such as proceedings conducted in absentia, coerced evidence, or lack of judicial independence.
Invalid or withdrawn criminal proceedings – the underlying case has been closed, dismissed, or time-barred.
Procedural defects – the requesting country failed to meet INTERPOL’s procedural requirements.
Each case requires a tailored analysis. The CCF assesses both legal and factual context, including evidence of misuse, judicial findings, and international reports.
How the Red Notice Removal Process Works
Proceedings for Red Notice removal take place before the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) — the independent body within INTERPOL responsible for reviewing individual requests for access and deletion.
The process is entirely written, confidential, and follows four key stages.
01
Analysis of the Case
Every Red Notice deletion begins with a detailed analysis of the notice and the underlying criminal proceedings.
This step identifies whether the case breaches INTERPOL’s Constitution or its Rules on the Processing of Data, and which legal grounds can be relied upon before the CCF — for example, political motivation, procedural defects, or violations of due process.
At this stage, we determine the most effective legal arguments to present in the request for Red Notice removal.
02
Application before the CCF
Once the grounds are established, we prepare and submit a written application for deletion of the Red Notice to the CCF.
The request explains in detail how the notice breaches INTERPOL’s rules and includes all relevant supporting documents, such as court decisions or procedural records.
Each submission is drafted in accordance with CCF procedure and supported by references to the CCF’s recent case law and established decisional practice in Red Notice deletion matters.
03
Monitoring of the Procedure
After the application is filed, the CCF examines the request and may invite observations from the requesting country and from INTERPOL’s General Secretariat.
Throughout this phase, we ensure that the case proceeds in accordance with the timeframe set out in Article 40 of the Statute of the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files.
Under that provision, the Requests Chamber must decide on a request for deletion within nine months from the date the request is declared admissible, unless exceptional circumstances justify a reasonable extension.
We follow the case closely to ensure that deadlines are respected.
04
Decision of the CCF
At the end of its review, the CCF Requests Chamber issues a written decision setting out its findings.
If it concludes that the Red Notice breaches INTERPOL’s Constitution or the Rules on the Processing of Data, the CCF orders the deletion of the data.
Following that decision, INTERPOL’s General Secretariat implements the measure and instructs all member countries to remove the Red Notice from their national systems.
We assist clients in obtaining official confirmation of the decision and verifying that the deletion has been properly executed across INTERPOL’s databases.
Our Approach
Proceedings before the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) demand precision, consistency, and a thorough understanding of the organisation’s internal framework. At Otherside, our work is shaped by direct experience inside the institution and by an approach built on four principles.
Case Assessment
Proceedings before the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) demand precision, consistency, and a thorough understanding of the organisation’s internal framework. At Otherside, our work is shaped by direct experience inside the institution and by an approach built on four principles.
Evidentiary Preparation
Success before the CCF depends on the quality and structure of the written submission. We gather and organise all supporting documents — judicial decisions, procedural materials, or relevant correspondence — and present them in a format that meets CCF evidentiary standards. Each file is built to allow the CCF to verify facts quickly and to engage directly with the legal arguments advanced.
Procedural Precision
The CCF operates under strict procedural rules and internal deadlines. We ensure full compliance with all formal requirements, respond promptly to any request for clarification. This procedural discipline is key to ensuring that each case is properly examined and decided within the timeframe set out in Article 40 of the CCF Statute.
Alignment with CCF Case Law
Our experience within INTERPOL allows us to anticipate the approach the CCF may take to a particular argument or evidentiary issue. We use that understanding to present submissions that align with the Commission’s decision-making practice and established case law, while protecting the client’s position at every stage. This combination of legal accuracy and familiarity with the CCF’s jurisprudence defines Otherside’s work in Red Notice removal proceedings.
Why Choose Otherside
Otherside is dedicated exclusively to matters before INTERPOL’s Commission for the Control of Files (CCF). Our practice combines legal precision with direct institutional experience — a combination that few firms can offer.
Former CCF Legal Officer
Before founding Otherside, Charlie Magri served as a Legal Officer within the CCF, participating directly in the examination of individual requests for deletion and access. This background provides an understanding of how the Commission interprets its rules, procedure, and case law, and how arguments are assessed internally.
Exclusive Focus on INTERPOL Proceedings
We act solely in matters arising before INTERPOL — including Red Notice removal, diffusion deletion, and related requests under the Rules on the Processing of Data. This exclusive focus ensures procedural accuracy and consistency with the Commission’s established decisional practice.
Independent Representation
Proceedings before the CCF are entirely confidential. We maintain strict independence and discretion throughout each stage of the process.
Legal Precision and Decisional Insight
Every submission is prepared with reference to the CCF’s recent jurisprudence and formulated to meet its evidentiary and procedural expectations. Our method relies on disciplined legal drafting, accurate referencing, and alignment with the Commission’s own analytical framework.
International Scope
We represent clients from a wide range of jurisdictions and backgrounds. Our practice is structured to work in coordination with national counsel where necessary, while ensuring that all communications with INTERPOL are centralised, consistent, and procedurally sound.
Contact Us
If you or your client are the subject of an INTERPOL Red Notice, early legal advice is essential. Proceedings before the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) are confidential and time-sensitive, and each stage must be prepared with precision. For a confidential assessment or to discuss a potential request for deletion, contact us.