The women awaiting a civil trial for allegations of rape and sexual assault against controversial influencer Andrew Tate will have been waiting 13 years for justice by the time he could come to court, their lawyer has said.
Tate and his brother Tristan, who hold dual US and British citizenship, were arrested by US Marshals in Miami two weeks ago after new charges were brought against them by the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). British police are also seeking the brothers’ extradition to the UK, where they would face a potential criminal trial over the alleged offences, which include rape, sexual assault and sex trafficking, which the pair deny.
It is understood the claims made in the civil case are entirely separate to those subject to extradition requests.
In a hearing for the civil case at the High Court in London on Monday, lawyers for Andrew Tate said they understood he intends to appeal any extradition order from the US, meaning the proceedings abroad could drag on for “anything up to 10 months”.
The civil case centres around claims made by four women – now in their late twenties and early thirties – who allege they were subjected to sexual violence by Tate between 2013 and 2016, while he was based in the UK.
Three of the women reported allegations of rape and sexual assault against Tate to Hertfordshire Constabulary in 2014 and 2015, with the case concluded in 2019. The civil trial was then adjourned in May after the force said it will reinvestigate the alleged offences.
Lawyers representing Hertfordshire Police said the force expects to conclude its criminal investigation in around “10 to 12 months”.
Speaking on behalf of the women, David Messling said their “concern remains they have been waiting what will be 13 years by the time police conclude their criminal investigation”.
Andrew, 39, and Tristan Tate, 38, are facing 59 criminal charges between them in the UK over alleged offences including rape, sexual assault and sex trafficking.
They are also facing legal proceedings in Romania, where they currently live. They were already facing the prospect of extradition to the UK over those proceedings after Bedfordshire Police secured European arrest warrants for the pair in 2024.
Representing Tate, Vanessa Marshall KC said it would be “premature” to set a potential trial date and that there was a “lot of unknown” regarding the multiple ongoing proceedings.
She said the UK government will need to submit any formal extradition case by 16 September.
Lawyers for the Tates in the US are expected to meet with federal prosecutors in Miami on Monday to work out a schedule for the potentially months-long process of fighting extradition to the UK.
The White House said last week the brother’s should not expect any help with the proceedings.
The court heard it is possible that the current police investigation in the UK could now “supersede” the Romanian proceedings because of Tate’s arrest in the US.
The pair have previously “unequivocally” denied wrongdoing, with Andrew Tate describing himself and his brother as “very innocent men”.
The Tates promote wealth, male dominance and misogyny through their social media empire and are among the world’s most controversial internet personalities. The former professional kickboxers have millions of social media followers and are vocal supporters of US President Donald Trump.
In June, their attempt to bring a legal challenge against the CPS after it did not disclose the names of their alleged victims in UK criminal proceedings was thrown out by a High Court judge.
