Snowdon v Dondas

Snowdon (the applicant) sought an order for the extradition of Dondas (the respondent) to the United States of America pursuant to the *Extradition Act 1988* (Cth). The applicant was the Attorney-General of Australia, acting on behalf of the United States government. The respondent was alleged to have committed certain offences in the United States, and a warrant for his arrest had been issued there. The matter came before Toohey J in chambers.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the respondent was eligible for extradition. This involved determining whether the requirements of the *Extradition Act 1988* had been met, specifically concerning the sufficiency of the evidence presented to establish a prima facie case that the respondent had committed the offences alleged. The court also considered whether any of the exceptions to extradition, as provided for in the Act, applied.

Toohey J found that the evidence presented by the applicant was sufficient to establish a prima facie case that the respondent had committed the offences for which extradition was sought. His Honour considered the nature of the offences and the evidence provided in support of them, concluding that it met the threshold required by the Act. No grounds for refusing extradition were found to be established.

Consequently, Toohey J made orders for the extradition of the respondent to the United States of America.