Barristers

Douglas Wotherspoon

Douglas Wotherspoon

9BR Chambers, London

Position

Douglas specialises in extradition, inquiries, and investigations. He has experience advising and representing individuals, companies, and governments.

Douglas offers well-thought-out, focused advice and serves as a composed and determined advocate in court.

Background and Expertise

Douglas frequently receives instructions to advise and represent individuals facing extradition under both Part 1 and Part 2 of the Extradition Act. He has represented and advised requested persons in extradition proceedings at both initial stages and on appeal. Douglas is experienced with requests for surrender from Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United States of America.

Before specialising in extradition, inquiries, and investigations Douglas prosecuted and defended domestic crime. Douglas has experience as a junior alone in single defendant and multi handed trials, handling cases involving offences of violence, blackmail, offensive weapons, and firearms and ammunition.

Prior to joining chambers Douglas gained experience at a leading criminal litigation practice known for representing high net worth and high-profile individuals, specialising in fraud and financial crime and complex crime.

Douglas has advised a company concerned in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, advised HMRC in relation to Legal Professional Privilege in relation to offenses arising from an Employee Benefit Trust Scheme, assisted a company in relation to the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, acted as junior counsel to the Undercover Policing Inquiry, and assisted in the provision of advice to the Government of South Sudan.

Career

Called 2020

CPS General Crime Panel (Grade 2)

Attorney General Panel (Junior Junior)

Memberships

Defence Extradition Lawyers Forum

Extradition Lawyers Association

International Bar Association

The Criminal Bar Association

The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple

Education

LLB Honours Law Degree, The University of Manchester, 2019 (First Class)

BPTC, BPP University Law School, 2020

Sir Edward Marshall-Hall Scholarship, Inner Temple (2020)

Major Scholarship, Inner Temple (2019)

Duke of Edinburgh Scholarship, Inner Temple (2019)

PASS Scholarship, Inner Temple (2018)

Advocacy Scholarship, BPP University of Law (2019)

Excellence Scholarship, BPP University of Law (2019)

Mentions

London Bar

Extradition

Rising star1
Douglas Wotherspoon – 9BR Chambers 'Has a gravitas and maturity beyond his years' call. A barrister that really enjoys the intellectual rigour of extradition. In court he has a calm, authoritative and informed style that judges and clients appreciate.'