International Law

International Criminal & Humanitarian

International criminal and humanitarian law are becoming increasingly important in domestic criminal and public law practice. In recent times, a considerable amount of legislation has been enacted which provides UK courts with jurisdiction to prosecute international crimes and domestic crimes which occurred wholly or partly outside UK territory. In addition, matters of international criminal law and humanitarian law regularly arise for consideration in extradition cases, inquests, inquiries and courts martial.

The successful prosecution at the Old Bailey of an alleged Afghan warlord for crimes against humanity and torture committed in his own country (the first prosecution of its kind); defending Daniel James (the personal interpreter to General Richards, Commander of forces in Afghanistan, charged with spying offences under the Official Secrets Act 1911 and Wilful Misconduct in Public Office); the involvement of members of Chambers in the Baha Mousa Inquiry into the death of an Iraqi citizen whilst in the custody of UK armed forces.

Members of Chambers have also appeared before the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, and have advised in investigations and prosecutions before the International Criminal Court and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.

International & Multijurisdictional

We are expert in providing advice and representation for matters with an international or transnational dimension. We advise governments, companies and individuals involved in international business transactions about jurisdictional issues and applicable international and regional laws. Members of Chambers have particular expertise in the applicability of international and domestic trade and financial sanctions and the extra-territorial reach of some US laws.

Rachel Barnes regularly presents and writes in the area of trade and financial sanctions; she teaches a Masters course at the London School of Economics on the law of international economic sanctions and has provided evidence to the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee on the impact of targeted financial sanctions.

Members of Chambers speak several other languages and have been instructed in matters in numerous European, Commonwealth and foreign jurisdictions.

We have a dual qualified dual-qualified US lawyer with practice experience in New York (Rachel Barnes).

Bo-Eun Jung is a special advisor to the Korean Embassy on matters of criminal law and procedure.

Saba Naqshbandi has acted as Co-Chair of the Criminal Law Committee of the International Bar Association and Deputy International Officer of the Criminal Bar Association Committee.

Colin Nicholls QC is Honorary Life President of the Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association.