Why the distinction matters
An applicant may reasonably disagree with the legal reasoning in a CCF decision. That disagreement is not the test for revision. The new application has to connect a specific newly discovered fact to the likely significance of that fact for the earlier decision.
The three questions to ask
What is the newly discovered fact?
Describe it precisely. Establish that it was previously unknown, rather than merely unsupported or left out of the earlier submissions.
Why could it matter?
Explain how it relates to the CCF's data-processing analysis and why it could have changed the assessment if known at the time.
When was it discovered?
The application generally has to be made within six months of discovery. Keep an accurate, provable chronology. This is not a countdown from the rejection date.
What does not automatically qualify
- The same facts with longer or more forceful arguments.
- A lawyer newly instructed after the earlier decision.
- Repetition of earlier claims without further material facts.
- The mere existence of a media report or NGO letter.
- A new opinion that only reinterprets facts already before the CCF.
The effect of a document depends on the newly discovered facts it actually establishes, not on its title.
How the current portal process works
Since 26 March 2026, CCF requests, including revision applications, are submitted through the Commission's dedicated online portal, except where it finds exceptional circumstances. The March 2026 portal guidance (section 10.3) says that at the first step the submitter attaches one document: a two-page summary succinctly describing the newly discovered fact(s). After an initial review the CCF may ask for further documents, and only then a summary of arguments of up to ten pages.
Check the live official instructions before filing. They can change.
Article 42 does not decide a national criminal case
The CCF assesses personal data processed in INTERPOL's information system against the Organization's rules. INTERPOL states that it is not empowered to investigate, weigh evidence or decide the merits of a case, and that it is not competent for national procedures, immigration matters or national extradition proceedings.
How to prepare an evidence matrix
For every fact, record the following. The matrix is a research aid, not an eligibility certificate.
| Column | What to record |
|---|---|
| Fact | A neutral description |
| Primary source | Where it comes from and who holds it |
| Discovery date | When it first became known, and how that can be shown |
| Previously known? | Whether it was before the CCF, or available to the applicant |
| Authenticity | Certification, translation, completeness |
| Relevance | Which part of the CCF's earlier reasons it addresses |
| Counterarguments | What the requesting country may say |
| Preliminary view | Counsel's assessment of materiality |
FAQs
Is revision available after more than one refusal?
The Article 42 criteria still govern any request. Repeated refusals do not by themselves create a new basis.
Do I need a lawyer to use the CCF portal?
No. Applicants can act themselves or through an authorised representative. Complex matters may warrant qualified advice.
Does a newly obtained judgment always qualify?
No. The facts it establishes, the discovery chronology and the likely impact on the earlier conclusion must be analysed.
- Statute of the CCF
- INTERPOL, CCF Frequently Asked Questions
- INTERPOL, CCF: How to submit a request
- CCF Portal Guidance for Applicants, March 2026, s. 10.3
Independent summary. These institutions do not endorse this service. Check the live official guidance before filing.