Richard Harvey

Year of Call: 1971

"He works on requests for ICC prosecutions."

Legal 500, 2019

"Focuses his practice on international crime and human rights issues. He handles cases involving war crimes, crimes against humanity and ECHR matters as they apply to individuals accused of criminal conduct."

Chambers UK, 2015

"Richard Harvey is held in high esteem for his impressive work at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. He is extremely good and very dedicated."

Chambers UK, 2014

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Richard Harvey's passion for human rights and social justice led him to join the Bar more than 40 years ago. He has a formidable reputation in international criminal tribunals, human rights, environmental law, criminal trials, tribunals of inquiry, appeals and inquests.

Today, he chairs Garden Court International and his advice on human rights and environmental issues is sought by many groups, including Greenpeace International and Amnesty International.

International Human Rights

Richard has expertise in international environmental law, human rights and international humanitarian law. He is chair of the Garden Court International team.

His advice on human rights and environmental issues is sought by many groups, including Greenpeace International and Amnesty International.

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Inquests and Inquiries

Overview

Richard has advised at a number of high-profile inquiries and inquests.

Notable Cases

Past notable cases can be viewed below. Click here to see a list of recent notable cases.

Inquests

Bloody Sunday: The Saville Inquiry (2000 - 2010)
Counsel for the family of James Wray, killed by the British Army.

Family of Patrick Finucane (2008 to date)
Advising family of murdered Belfast solicitor.

Inquiries

Bennett, R (on the application of) v HM Coroner for Inner South London & Ors [2007] EWCA Civ 617
Inquest into death of Afro-Caribbean man shot in the back by Metropolitan Police. Counsel at inquest and on appeal.

Matter of Blair Peach, 1980
Represented the Anti-Nazi League at the inquest into the death of teacher killed by Metropolitan Police.

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International Crime and Conflict Law

Overview

Richard is a recognised expert in international criminal law, and has trained senior judges in Uganda as well as Tunisian judges and prosecutors in this area.

Notable Cases

Past notable cases can be viewed below. Click here to see a list of recent notable cases.

International criminal cases

Prosecutor v Radovan Karadzic, International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, (2009 to date), The Hague, Netherlands
Lead counsel appointed by Tribunal to protect the interests of self-representing accused, former President of Republika Srpska, charged with genocide and other major war crimes.

Prosecutor v Lahi Brahimaj, International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (2005 to date), The Hague, Netherlands
Lead counsel at trial, appeal and re-trial (the first re-trial in the history of the ICTY) of Kosovo Liberation Army leader accused of war crimes.

Prosecutor v Haradin Bala, International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (2004- 2005), The Hague, Netherlands
Co-counsel for Kosovan Liberation Army soldier accused in war crimes case.

Juvenal Kajelijeli, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, (1999-2000), Arusha, Tanzania
Co-counsel for former mayor accused of genocide and war crimes before ICTR.

Other current and recent international work

Northern Ireland: Operation Ballast Oversight Panel (2010 to date)
review Police Service of Northern Ireland progress on investigations into numerous murders and other serious criminal offences committed in north Belfast over many years.

The Hague: Special Tribunal for Lebanon (2012 ongoing)
Consultant to Association of Defence Counsel, the Hague.

Uganda: Capital Cases Sentencing Project (2012) Kampala, Uganda
On behalf of CCSP, based at University of Westminster, devised and presented workshops to senior judges and lawyers on alternatives to death penalty.

Philippines: legal adviser to National Democratic Front of the Philippines
In negotiations with the government of the Philippines, aimed at ending decades of armed conflict.

Bermuda: legal adviser to Former Premier of Bermuda (2012)

Sudan - Darfur: (2009)
Adviser to major international financial institution on duties and liabilities in responding to Request for Assistance from International Criminal Court Prosecutor.

R v Abernethy & Ors (2008)
Armagh Crown Court. Lead counsel for defendant in £15m cigarette smuggling conspiracy.

R v O'Donnell & Ors (2008)
Belfast Crown Court. Lead counsel for anti-war activist in 2006 protest against Israel Defence Force bombing of civilians in Lebanon.

R v Jawad Akbar & Ors (2005-2007)
Central Criminal Court, London. Operation Crevice conspiracy to cause explosions in central London.

R v Tahira Tabassum & Ors (2004)
Central Criminal Court, London. Withholding information under Terrorism Act in relation to suicide bombing in Israel.

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International Environmental Law

Overview

Richard is an expert in international environmental law, advising multiple jurisdictions on legal strategies to combat climate change, and working on international environmental campaigns. His specialist knowledge is sought by many groups, including Greenpeace International and Amnesty International.

Notable Cases

Bermuda: Government of Bermuda (2009-2010)
Adviser on international environmental issues.

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Notable Cases & News

European Court of Human Rights Grand Chamber to Deliver Rulings in Landmark Climate Justice Cases

Marc Willers KC and Richard Harvey represent the Swiss Senior Women in Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz and Others v. Switzerland. Richard Reynolds and Paul Clark represent the youth-applicants in Duarte Agostinho and Others v. Portugal and 32 Others.

28 March 2024

Garden Court Chambers and Garden Court North remember Ian Macdonald QC

Garden Court Chambers and Garden Court North were honoured to host a memorial event for Ian Macdonald QC 1939-2019 at Middle Temple Hall on Tuesday 7 February 2023.

17 February 2023

Garden Court secures top tier rankings in the Legal 500 2023

Garden Court Chambers is proud to be recognised as a Top Tier set again in the Legal 500.

30 September 2022

Members of the Garden Court Chambers Crime Team support escalating proposed CBA action to include days of action

17 June 2022

Stephanie Harrison QC, Chair and Joint Head of Garden Court Chambers, comments on the Nationality and Borders Bill receiving Royal Assent

29 April 2022

Garden Court Crime Team statement on no returns action

30 March 2022

Garden Court secures number one rankings in Chambers UK Bar Guide 2022

21 October 2021

Garden Court Chambers Crime Team shortlisted for Crime Set of the Year by Chambers Bar Awards 2021

We are delighted to announce that the Garden Court Chambers Crime Team has been shortlisted by the Chambers Bar Awards 2021 for Crime Set of the Year.

27 August 2021

H-Block and Armagh Prisons Independent Panel Report Details the Systemic Inhumane Treatment of Prisoners

Richard Harvey of the Garden Court Chambers International Team is a member of the Independent Panel of Inquiry who published this unprecedented new report ‘I Am Sir, You Are A Number’.

6 October 2020

Garden Court wins Legal 500 crime set of the year award

The winners in these awards are chosen by the Legal 500 as a result of thousands of interviews with firms, sets and counsel.

8 October 2015

Richard Harvey delivers final declaration at IADL conference

Richard Harvey joined by Garden Court barristers at the International Association of Democratic Lawyers in Brussels.

24 April 2014

All related news

Background

From 1980 to 2000, Richard taught human rights and practised law in New York. He has served as counsel to the South African Government since 1996, and counsel to President Jean Bertrand Aristide in Haiti, assisting in prosecuting murder and intimidation under the military junta. Richard has advised governments of Asian, African and Caribbean countries, including Bermuda, Namibia, Cape Verde, Trinidad & Tobago and Vietnam.

In New York he conducted major criminal cases, including representing the leader of the Puerto Rican underground liberation movement, accused of masterminding $7.2m armoured car robbery and shooting an FBI agent. Richard also conducted major political asylum cases involving clients from Haiti, Northern Ireland and apartheid South Africa.

Training and Seminars

Richard is a recognised expert in international criminal law, and has trained senior judges in Uganda as well as Tunisian judges and prosecutors in this area.

His advice on human rights and environmental issues is sought by many groups, including Greenpeace International and Amnesty International.

We are top ranked by independent legal directories and consistently win awards.

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