Britain today formally requested that Italy extradite a suspect in the attempted July 21 transport bombings in London and expressed hope the process could be completed by the end of the year.
Legal sources said the court tomorrow will fix the date for Hamdi Issac's extradition hearing.
The British embassy said if all appeals were lodged, and all extensions taken, the extradition process should be completed by early December.
Issac, also known as Osman Hussein, was seized in Rome last week. He has told Italian magistrates that he took part in the July 21 attacks, but has indicated he will fight extradition.
The embassy said an initial ruling in the case could come by September 28, although under Italian law this could be extended for 30 more days.
Issac would have 10 days to appeal. Italy's highest appeals court, the Court of Cassation, would have to rule within 15 days of receiving relevant papers, the embassy said.
"If the Court of Cassation orders the extradition, the order must be executed within 10 days of its decision," the embassy said in a statement, implying that at the latest, the extradition could be wrapped up by early December.
The British press has reported that anti-terror police in London are frustrated that they have not been able to question the 27-year-old Issac, with only Italian prosecutors thus far granted access to the suspect.
However, the embassy denied there was any ill-will between the two sides. "This is not true," the embassy said.
"All requests made by the UK authorities have been acted on promptly by their Italian counterparts."