Ranked in Chambers & Partners 2012 as "Up & Coming" in ExtraditionRebecca is an experienced criminal advocate with specialist expertise in extradition and a strong interest in human rights as they are engaged within the criminal justice system. Rebecca's strength lies in her ability to identify and efficiently convey the most complex legal arguments whilst retaining an approachability which puts clients at ease and enables a rapport with juries. PracticeExtradition Recently recognised by Chambers and Partners 2012 as "Up-and-Coming" in the field, Rebecca is an expert in extradition, having acted in innumerable complex and high profile contested hearings and appeals to the High Court. Whilst she has particular expertise in identifying and arguing points arising from the European Convention on Human Rights, Rebecca is also skilled in arguing technical and procedural points (for example Luczak v Circuit Court in Lodz, Poland (below)). In addition to her adversarial work, Rebecca has utilised her experience of international law and mutual legal assistance to advise individuals 'at risk' of extradition proceedings, both in the UK and abroad. Rebecca's reputation as an extradition specialist had resulted in her appearance as an expert in a number of forums; including BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5 News. She co-authors monthly extradition updates for lawbriefupdate.com and in 2008 she lectured delegates from the Commonwealth Secretariat on the merits and difficulties of the European Arrest Warrant scheme. She frequently provides training to solicitors on an ad hoc basis. Crime
Rebecca is an experienced criminal advocate, having acted in serious and complex cases including child cruelty, 'professional' armed robberies (cash-in-transit), extensive frauds (exceeding £250,000), assault occasioning grievous bodily harm with intent and sexual assaults. She is presently instructed as junior representing the second defendant in a double murder trial. Rebecca has developed extensive expertise in representing activists facing criminal charges arising from their protests, recently defending an individual charged with criminal damage resulting from a UK Uncut linked protest and another envionmental activist charged with aggravated trespass. Last year she acted for one of eight protestors acquitted on a single count of conspiracy to commit criminal damage at a factory manufacturing arms components. In this high profile case the defendants successfully argued that their actions were necessary to protect damage to property and lives in Gaza. In other cases, Rebecca has successfully resisted police applications for criminal ASBOs (representing seven climate change activists) and forced the withdrawal of criminal prosecutions following disclosure arguments. Judicial Review Rebecca advises on judicial reviews arising from the criminal justice system, and has acted in a number of judicial reviews of Magistrates' decisions in extradition proceedings. Notable CasesExtradition Wright v Government of Argentina [2012] EWHC 669(Admin) Successfullyrepresented Ms Wright in her appeal against extradition on the grounds that prison conditions in Argentina would breach her Art 3 right to freedom from inhumane and degrading treatment. Zdinjak v Croatia [2012] EWHC Led by Rajiv Menon QC, successfully appealed the order of extradition in Mr Zdinjak's case on the grounds that it offended the double jeopardy principle. Herdman v City of Westminster Magistrates' Court [2010] EWHC 1533 (Admin)
Considering the admissibility of fresh evidence and compatibility of Greek prison conditions with Art 3 ECHR. R (on the application of Berners) v City of Westminster Magistrates' Court [2010] EWHC 1010
Statutory appeal and judicial review addressing the consequences of adjectival breaches of the ECHR upon extradition. Sondy v Crown Prosecution Service [2010] EWHC 108
Appeal concerning the proper process to be followed when alleging negligence against previous representatives in order to argue new issues on appeal. Lendvai v Hungary [2010] EWHC 3431
Case considering the possible Art 3 and Art 8 implications for a lesbian woman of Roma origin should she be extradited to Hungary. Luczak v Circuit Court in Lodz, Poland [2009] EWHC 2753
Successfully represented Defendant in his appeal against extradition order on the grounds that the conduct did not represent an extradition offence. Defendant discharged. Crime R v FH (2012) (Aylesbury Crown Court) Represented the second defendant of three charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent having (on the Crown's case) undertaken a planned group attack on an individual with Samurai swords. R v SS (2011) (Wood Green Crown Court) Defended a young woman charged with causing (or allowing another to cause) serious injury to her baby daughter and then 4 year old son. R v Khan & Khan (2011) (Central Criminal Court)
Prosecuted this two-handed indictment on which the defendants faced 14 counts including theft of cash cards at ATM's (through a Lebanese loop system) and use of those cards through false representation at Ladbroke's betting shops, resulting in a loss of in excess of £250,000. First defendant convicted of 10 counts. R v Cook & Others (2010) (Snaresbrook Crown Court)
Represented defendant charged with professionally planned conspiracy to rob cash in transit. Following legal argument secured acquittal of the defendant on the count of armed robbery at the close of the Crown's case. R v OS & Others (2010) (Hove Crown Court)
As led junior represented one of eight activists accused of conspiracy to commit criminal damage against a factory manufacturing arms components. Following a trial in which the Defendants relied upon the justifications of prevention of war crimes and damage to property in Gaza all eight were acquitted.
R v ES (2010) (Brighton Crown Court)
Successful appeal against Magistrates' Court conviction for aggravated trespass. The allegation arose from a 'Carnival Against the Arms Trade' in Brighton, 2008 when the Defendant trespassed on the premises of a factory manufacturing components for military aircraft and weapons systems. On appeal it was successfully argued that 'blowing a whistle' on those premises could not be deemed an act intended to disrupt. R v Shakeen Clarke (2008) EWCA (unreported)
Instructed as lead junior in this appeal against the Defendant's conviction for causing grievous bodily harm to his baby son. The appeal relied upon fresh evidence regarding the 'bio-mechanics' of injury and involved significant medico-legal evidence as well as liaison with a number of expert witnesses.
Publications and Media Appearances
Law Brief Update Rebecca is co-author of extradition updates for Law Brief Update, an email update of key developments in case law which is circulated to over 10,000 lawyers on a monthly basis. BBC News 29th March 2012 - Interview addressing the issues arising from the Shrien Dewani extradition. Channel 4 News 17th December 2011 - Undertook interview explaining the Extradition Act 2003 and commenting upon the Assange extradition. Channel 5 News 9th December 2011 - Interviewed as expert on extradition to South Africa in relation to the Dewani extradition. Commonwealth Secretariat Conference 2008 Lectured delegates on the European Arrest Warrant regime and broader principles of extradition.
Profile updated November 2011
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