Some serious offences can be prosecuted in this country regardless of where they were allegedly committed. We are the leading chambers practising in universal jurisdiction, with unparalleled experience and expertise in the area.
Only two cases have been brought under the principle of universal jurisdiction and barristers from Three Raymond Buildings were successfully instructed in both.
In R v Lama (2016) we were instructed to defend Colonel Kumar Lama, a serving Colonel in the Nepalese army who was prosecuted for offences of torture allegedly committed at the height of the Nepalese civil war in 2005. Colonel Lama was cleared of all charges and allowed to return to his battalion in Nepal.
In R v Zardad (2005) we were instructed by the prosecution in relation to the case brought against Zardad, a warlord who was accused of murder and torture in Afghanistan. Zardad was convicted.
In addition to the above cases, we were instructed for the prosecution in R v Sawoniuk (1999). This is the only case brought under the War Crimes Act 1991 which allowed alleged Nazi war criminals resident in the UK when the Act was brought into force to be prosecuted for alleged crimes in Nazi Germany and occupied territories. Sawoniuk was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Members of chambers also regularly provide advice to individuals, governments and other groups with an interest in the above matters.
To find the right universal jurisdiction barrister, and to discuss any possible instructions, please contact our clerks on +44 (0)20 7400 6400 or email clerks@3rblaw.com.
“The set has got a lot of good, top-end people and the breadth of quality has to be seen to be believed.” Chambers UK 2020
“An elite set with a second-to-none reputation.” Legal 500 2020
“Chambers is filled with highly experienced, intellectually rigorous, and approachable trial advocates, who are reliably excellent for general crime, financial crime, and extradition matters.“ Legal 500 2020
“A top-drawer set celebrated for its strong bench of experts in crime and its excellent track record of significant successes.” Chambers UK 2019
“Three Raymond Buildings has an acknowledged reputation in extradition and international crime matters, and more generally has an outstanding team which has a great depth of expertise and experience.” Legal 500 2019
| Address | 3 Raymond Buildings, Gray’s Inn, London WC1R 5BH |
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| DX | 237 LDE |
| Opening hours | 08:30 – 18:30 |
| Telephone | +44 (0)20 7400 6400 |
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| clerks@3rblaw.com | |
| Senior clerk | Eddie Holland |
