Guy Martin

International Law Group

Guy Martin is head of the International and European Law Group at Carter-Ruck, specialising in complex litigation in the courts of England, the Court of Justice of the European Union, before the United Nations Ombudsperson and other international tribunals. He has spearheaded the department from a standing start to what Chambers Directory (2015) describes as “Renowned for its distinct expertise in sanctions against states and targeted asset freezing against individuals, and for its involvement in highly sensitive cases. Strong track record in the Middle East and Africa, notably in matters relating to the Arab Spring”. 

As a solicitor - advocate Guy practises in the field of public international law, administrative law, European law, international litigation, dispute resolution and regulatory cases often involving human rights with an international or diplomatic context. Guy’s clients include commercial entities and individuals who have challenged asset freezing measures, or “targeted sanctions”, by means of judicial review applications in England, direct actions for annulment to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg and before the United Nations Ombudsperson, OFAC and other agencies.

Described by Legal 500 as “excellent” for his “intelligence and skills”, Guy has acted for clients before the European courts including clients from Syria , Tunisia , Burma (Myanmar) , Zimbabwe  and Egypt. Guy acted for Burmese national Pye Phyo Tay Za both in his action before the Luxembourg General Court and subsequent successful appeal in 2012 to the Grand Chamber of the ECJ, in which Guy instructed the legendary Sir Sydney Kentridge QC.

Guy led the team for Saudi Arabian businessman Sheikh Yassin Abdullah Kadi, in his efforts to overturn asset freezing orders. In its 2008 judgment the ECJ delivered a landmark decision in favour of Mr. Kadi and struck down EU asset freezing regulations on the ground they breached Mr. Kadi’s fundamental rights. It was as a result of this judgment that the UN Security Council in December 2009 created the Office of the Ombudsperson, an independent and impartial Ombudsperson, who reviews requests from individuals, groups, undertakings or entities seeking to be removed from the UN Sanctions Committee’s list. The ECJ’s judgment in this case, which has become known as Kadi I, has been described by leading academic commentators as “the most important judgment ever delivered by the ECJ on the relationship between EC and international law and one of its most important judgments on fundamental rights”.

Guy was successful in securing the delisting of Yassin Kadi in October 2012 by the UN Sanctions Committee and in November 2014 (after 13 years) by OFAC.

Westminster School; Pembroke College, Cambridge (1984 MA Natural Sciences); College of Law.