Ben specialises in international criminal law, extradition, international human rights and complex financial crime. Ben has acted in some of the most high profile international criminal cases of the last decade, in particular before the International Criminal Court. He also regularly represents individuals and requesting States in extradition proceedings before Westminster Magistrates’ Court and the Administrative Court. Ben has significant expertise in complex cases involving international fraud, bribery and corruption.
Thanks to his expertise in diverse but complementary areas of law, Ben brings a unique perspective to all of his cases. He has extensive experience drafting incisive arguments concerning legally and factually complex issues, and is highly regarded for the quality of his written work. Having worked on the ground with legal and investigative teams in Africa, South East Asia and Europe, Ben prides himself on his collaborative approach to complex, document-heavy cases.
International Crime
Ben represents and conducts advisory work on behalf of governments, organisations and individuals. The international nature of his practice demands that he is comfortable operating in adversarial and inquisitorial systems. Similarly, he acts in cases before tribunals that adhere to both the civil and common law traditions.
Ben is comfortable dealing with the vast volumes of evidence that are commonplace in international litigation. Experienced operating in hostile conditions, he conducts sensitive defence investigations with care and precision. In both Kenya and Cambodia, Ben interviewed sensitive witnesses and provided legal assistance to police, military and communications experts. He has worked closely with intelligence professionals on the collection and analysis of complex financial and communications evidence.
Ben has been appointed to the lists of counsel of both the International Criminal Court and the Kosovo Specialist Chambers. He also appears on the List of Legal Consultants of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia.
Extradition
Ben is a specialist extradition practitioner. He regularly represents individuals and requesting States in contested extradition hearings before Westminster Magistrates’ Court and on appeal before the High Court. Ben also advises on import extradition cases.
Between 2017-2018, Ben undertook an 18-month secondment with the CPS Extradition Unit, during which he conducted hearings and carried out casework on a substantial number of complex cases under both Parts 1 and 2 of the Extradition Act 2003.
Ben has been appointed to the CPS Specialist Extradition Advocate Panel (Level 3)
International Human Rights & Capacity Building
Ben represents individuals and organisations in cases involving violations of international human rights law. He has developed particular expertise in respect of a number of regional tribunals, including the European Court of Human Rights, Court of Justice of the European Union, African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Southern African Development Community Tribunal.
Ben is able to assist clients prior to the issuance of proceedings until the conclusion of the case. He is comfortable providing practical advice on investigations, as he has significant experience managing projects concerned with the documentation and analysis of potential breaches of international human rights law. Once proceedings have commenced, Ben is able to draw upon his considerable experience before the international tribunals to ensure that all applications – whether oral or written – are prepared and delivered with forensic precision.
Ben has significant experience conducting capacity building projects overseas. He recently designed and delivered training courses on human rights, fair trial standards and ethics for the benefit of judges and lawyers based in the Middle East. Ben also spent time at a human rights organisation in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where he helped to develop a nation-wide trial monitoring project and conducted advocacy concerning land rights and land-grabbing.
Complex Financial Crime
Ben has substantial experience in large-scale international fraud, bribery and corruption cases.
Ben has particular expertise as concerns disclosure in complex fraud and bribery cases. He is currently instructed by the Serious Fraud Office to manage the disclosure process in a prosecution being brought under the Bribery Act 2010. He also has significant experience in cases involving Deferred Prosecution Agreements and the agent/principle distinction as set out under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906.
Ben has been appointed to the SFO Advocate Panel (C Panel).
International:
• International Criminal Court – List of Counsel • Kosovo Specialist Chambers – List of Counsel • Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia – List of Legal Consultants • International Bar Association, War Crimes Committee –Treasurer
England and Wales:
• Crown Prosecution Service – List of Specialist Counsel, Extradition, Grade 3 • Serious Fraud Office – List of Counsel, Grade C • Defence Extradition Lawyers Forum – Education Secretary
Defence Extradition Lawyers' Forum - Committee Member