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Former Law Dean Jonathan Black-Branch Arrested in France Amid Extradition Fight
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Arrest and Extradition Proceedings
Winnipeg police confirmed that Jonathan Black-Branch was taken into custody in France and that an extradition request has been filed. A Canada-wide arrest warrant, issued on March 30 2026, lists a fraud charge exceeding $5,000. Police indicated that no further details will be released while the French courts consider the application.
Misconduct Findings and Legal Outcomes
The Discipline Committee of the Law Society of Manitoba reported that Black-Branch misappropriated roughly $600,000 from the university and the Marcel A. Desautels Centre for Private Enterprise and the Law between April 20 2017 and February 2020. An affidavit showed $518,000 recorded as “professional development,” with $472,282 charged to the Desautels Endowment and $46,441 to operating funds; comparable expenses for other faculty totaled $18,928. He also billed about $75,000 to the International Society of Law and Nuclear Disarmament, where he served as board president.
The Law Society of Manitoba disbarred Black-Branch in February 2024 and ordered him to pay $36,000 in costs. The Bar Tribunals and Adjudication Service for England and Wales barred him in February 2025, describing his conduct as “blatant and sustained dishonesty.” A default judgment entered in May 2025 required Black-Branch to repay the university nearly $680,000, plus $3,000 in costs and 3 % annual interest.
Official Statements & Responses
Const. Stephen Spencer, the Winnipeg police spokesperson, said the department cannot comment further while the extradition matter remains before the courts and that additional information will be provided only if the application succeeds and Black-Branch is returned to Winnipeg.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are not in a position to provide further information regarding the extradition proceeding while the matter remains before the courts,” — Const. Stephen Spencer, winnipeg police spokesperson
What’s Next
The French court’s decision on the extradition request has not been announced. Should the court approve the request, Black-Branch would be transferred to Winnipeg to face the fraud charge and related proceedings.