CCF Appeals and Revision Requests

Legal Counsel for Submitting an Application for Revision Following an Unfavorable INTERPOL CCF Decision

If you challenged your INTERPOL notice (i.e., an INTERPOL Red Notice or diffusion) and received an unfavorable decision from INTERPOL’s CCF, you may be eligible to seek “revision” of the CCF’s decision. This is a complex and high-stakes process, so professional legal assistance is required. At Oberheiden P.C., we develop and execute custom-tailored legal strategies focused on securing favorable resolutions under the CCF’s Statute and Rules of Procedure.

Attorney Nick OberheidenInternational Litigation Team Lead

Challenging an INTERPOL notice typically starts with submitting a request for removal to the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF). If your initial request is unsuccessful, you do not have the right to appeal; however, you may have grounds to submit a request for “revision.”

Our lawyers assist individuals with pursuing appropriate legal remedies through the CCF revision process. Whether you have questions about your legal options or you need urgent legal advice, we can guide you forward. If you have grounds to submit a revision request, our INTERPOL team can submit your request on your behalf, and we can work to secure a favorable outcome that reverses the CCF’s previous decision.

Challenging an INTERPOL Measure After the CCF Declines Your Request for Removal

INTERPOL’s mechanisms for challenging Red Notices, diffusions, and other measures are limited. If you have already submitted a request for removal and INTERPOL’s Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) has denied your request, you do not have the right to file an appeal. Instead, you must file a request for revision.

When an applicant disagrees with the CCF’s denial of a request for removal, there are strict limits on challenging the CCF’s decision. There are also strict timeframes involved. If you are running out of time, you should seek urgent legal advice from a law firm that can effectively challenge the CCF’s initial decision if warranted.

Broadly, the process of challenging a prior decision from the CCF involves:

1. Obtaining Your INTERPOL Data

One of the first key steps is to obtain your INTERPOL data. It is important to ensure that you have all data relating not only to the issuance of your INTERPOL notice and the original request from the requesting country, but also the denial of your request for removal. Since there are strict time limits involved in seeking revision of the CCF’s original decision, it is important to begin this process promptly.

2. Evaluating the Grounds for Requesting Revision Under INTERPOL’s Rules

After obtaining your INTERPOL data, the next step is to evaluate your grounds for requesting revision. If the CCF denied your original request, this generally means that the CCF determined that the challenged data complies with INTERPOL’s constitution and rules.

Thus, challenging an original CCF decision generally involves focusing on the reason for the decision itself rather than focusing on any underlying issues of domestic or international law. To successfully seek revision of the CCF’s original decision, it is generally necessary to present compelling evidence of one (or more) of the following:

You have new evidence that supports the grounds for removal of your INTERPOL notice
You have newly discovered evidence or newly discovered facts that support the grounds for removal of your INTERPOL notice
The original decision of the INTERPOL Commission (CCF) was not compatible with INTERPOL’s rules

While the CCF will consider relevant facts upon the proper submission of a valid request for revision form, it is up to individuals requesting revision to show that specific circumstances warrant a different decision. Otherwise, the CCF will simply decide the same way it decided previously.

3. Gathering Evidence and Developing Legal Arguments

With this being the case, it is critical to gather evidence that clearly supports your request for revision. It is also critical to develop legal arguments that are focused on the relevant legal issues (i.e., compliance with INTERPOL’s constitution and rules). While some information is available on the INTERPOL website, crafting an effective request for revision requires an in-depth understanding of all pertinent legal principles. This makes it essential to engage a law firm that practices in the area of international protection, including specifically CCF requests for revision (as opposed to just defense in national courts or under international criminal law).

4. Submitting Your Request for Revision to the CCF

All requests for revision must be properly submitted through INTERPOL’s systems. Technical and procedural shortcomings can prevent the filing of a successful request even when valid grounds exist.

Crucially, you only have six months after the discovery of new evidence or new facts (not from the submission of your deletion application) to submit a request for revision. When submitting a request for revision, it is necessary to include documentation of the timeline of discovery to demonstrate that you have not waited too long to file. INTERPOL’s rules state that this must be a “brief statement” that demonstrates such an appeal is timely.

5. Focusing on the Previous CCF Decision

As noted above, requests for revision should generally focus on the previous CCF decision, and they must generally be based on new evidence or newly discovered facts. When we represent individuals who are eligible to submit revision requests, we protect our clients’ rights by all means available, and we craft and present detailed legal arguments supported by compelling evidence. We take a comprehensive and custom-tailored approach to every case we handle, and we rely on our in-depth knowledge of INTERPOL’s rules to efficiently seek favorable resolutions for our clients.

The Importance of Submitting a Revision Request to the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) When Warranted

Being the subject of an INTERPOL notice poses serious risks. It can lead to detention (including arbitrary detention in some cases), and this can potentially lead to extradition and criminal prosecution.

This makes it critical to challenge an INTERPOL notice when warranted. If you have questions about your eligibility, our International criminal defense lawyers can advise you of your rights and help you make informed and strategic decisions about your next steps. As noted above, strict time limits apply, so we strongly encourage you to contact us for a confidential consultation promptly.

FAQs: Filing a Revision Request with INTERPOL’s CCF

What does it take to convince the CCF to reach a different conclusion?

If INTERPOL’s CCF has denied your request for removal, convincing the CCF to reach a different conclusion requires either new evidence or newly discovered facts. It is not enough to re-raise the issues you have raised previously or rely on a previously written series of grievances. Once you engage our law firm to represent you, our lawyers will be able to thoroughly evaluate your case and determine if a request for revision is warranted.

What qualifies as a “newly discovered fact” for purposes of submitting a revision request to the CCF?

Several “newly discovered facts” can potentially support a request for revision of a prior CCF decision. These include (but are not limited to) a court decision dismissing your criminal case or limiting your charges, a final refusal of extradition, a grant of asylum or refugee status, and an official finding of misconduct by law enforcement officials or prosecutors. Serious concerns about the validity of your INTERPOL notice (i.e., concerns related to political persecution) can serve as newly discovered facts in appropriate cases as well.

What will happen if my revision request to the CCF is successful?

If your revision request is successful, this can result in either the removal of your INTERPOL notice or modification of your INTERPOL data. Our lawyers will seek to have your INTERPOL notice removed if possible. If seeking removal is not viable under the circumstances at hand, we will seek a modification that minimizes your risk exposure, maximizes your ability to travel, and protects you to the fullest extent possible going forward.

What will happen if my revision request to the CCF is unsuccessful?

If your revision request to the CCF is unsuccessful, your INTERPOL notice will remain in effect as-is. The CCF does not allow the resubmission of the same arguments in a subsequent revision request, so you will need to wait until you have other evidence or additional new facts to submit a request again. This makes it critical to work with experienced legal counsel who can help maximize your chances of success.

Do I need a lawyer to file a revision request with INTERPOL’s CCF?

Due to the strict requirements and complex legal issues involved, engaging experienced legal counsel is strongly recommended. At Oberheiden P.C., our lawyers rely on extensive experience to assist clients with submitting revision requests to the CCF. If you would like to know more, we encourage you to contact us for a free and confidential consultation.

The CCF Revision Process Can Be Incredibly Frustrating. We Can Help

To learn more about the requirements for submitting a revision request to INTERPOL’s CCF, contact us today. Call 888-680-1745 or contact us confidentially online to speak with one of our senior attorneys in strict confidence as soon as possible.

Related Pages:

INTERPOL Defense

Federal Agency International Enforcement

Defense for US Citizens Abroad

Crisis Response & Family Resources