David Josse K.C. has been Head of Chambers since 2015.
He is a barrister specialising in extradition, human rights, international war crimes and serious crime, both nationally and internationally.
He also practises in judicial review & public law, business crime and professional discipline & regulatory.
Since taking silk he has specialised in extradition work encompassing the full range of requests but with a particular emphasis on political corruption and prison conditions in former communist states. He spent 5 years at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) based in The Hague defending in two lengthy trials. Firstly, representing a leading Bosnian Serb politician charged with genocide and ethnic cleansing and secondly, a General facing a wide variety of allegations relating to the Srebrenica massacre.
He has led in many of the leading Article 3 authorities of recent years, often involving issues relating to assurances provided by requesting state:- Aleksynas (Lithuania), Wolkowicz (Poland), Florea and Blaj (Romania), Lustyuk (Ukraine), AM (Azerbaijan), Vasilev (Bulgaria) and Kapoor (India). In these cases he has combined his specialist knowledge of such countries derived from his first degree in Russian and Soviet history with his work at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague in cases that required a detailed understanding and analysis of a state in transition following the collapse of communism.
David has extensive international experience, initially gained from 5 years defending in two lengthy and complicated war crime trials in The Hague. He remains actively involved in International Criminal and Humanitarian Law by amongst other things being a member of the ICTY Rules Committee.
He advises on applications and appeals to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in extradition and criminal cases. In both rule 39 injunction applications and fully contested matters before the Court.
He also advises clients on the removal of Interpol Red Notices and associated immigration issues.
David is ranked in the Legal 500 as a Tier 1 silk in international crime and extradition at the London Bar. David is ranked in Chambers and Partners as a silk in the field of extradition at the London Bar.
‘ One of the leading silks when it comes to extradition law and someone that I would not hesitate to instruct whenever there is the opportunity to instruct a KC. He is extremely personable, and first-class in guiding clients. ’
The Legal 500 2022 .
"Highly thought of and an excellent choice for difficult cases."
"He's what every extradition barrister aspires to be: a lawyer known internationally for the quality of their work."
Chambers & Partners 2021 & 2018.
He is a regular commentator on Sky News and LBC radio in relation to extradition, human rights and international criminal law. He is available to lecture and contribute to seminars both on issues relating to international war crime trials as well as in connection with domestic extradition law.
David was called to the Bar in 1985. David took Silk in 2009.
Business Crime & Financial Regulation
David has defended in many fraud cases, in particular those brought by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
In 1999-2000 David spent 9 months representing one of the defendants in the widely reported Palmer Timeshare fraud trial.
Criminal Defence
David is a vastly experienced criminal barrister and since taking silk has defended in numerous cases including: murder, rape, child abuse, human trafficking, serious fraud and armed robbery.
His criminal practice is complementary and overlapping with his experience of International War Crimes and extradition law. He is frequently instructed in cases with a cross border and international element dealing with difficult areas of international and immigration law. He receives instructions nationally and internationally to advise and represent defendants in crime and extradition matters.
Criminal Prosecutions - Private & Public
David is a vastly experienced criminal barrister. He is instructed in the most serious of criminal cases, often with an international element.
He prosecutes on behalf of Local Authorities and in private prosecution matters.
Extradition & International
Since taking silk he is a barrister who has specialised in defending in extradition encompassing the full range of requests but with a particular emphasis on political corruption and prison conditions in all former communist states.
He has led in many of the leading Article 3 authorities of recent years, often involving issues relating to assurances provided by requesting state:- Aleksynas (Lithuania), Wolkowicz (Poland), Florea and Blaj (Romania), Lustyuk (Ukraine), AM (Azerbaijan), Vasilev (Bulgaria) and Kapoor (India). In these cases he has combined his specialist knowledge of such countries derived from his first degree in Russian and Soviet history with his work at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague in cases that required a detailed understanding and analysis of a state in transition following the collapse of communism.
"Very helpful, approachable and down to earth, and excellent in relation to all aspects of case preparation and delivery in court." "He has an excellent ability to deal with the overall picture and brings good experience to the case."
Chambers and Partners 2020.
David has extensive international experience, initially gained from 5 years defending in two lengthy and complicated war crime trials in The Hague. He remains actively involved in International Criminal and Humanitarian Law by amongst other things being a member of the ICTY Rules Committee.
He advises on applications and appeals to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in extradition and criminal cases. In both rule 39 injunction applications and fully contested matters before the Court.
‘A very well-versed advocate.’
The Legal 500 2017.
He also advises clients on the removal of Interpol Red Notices and associated immigration issues.
Immigration
In immigration proceedings he often advises on immigration issues alongside extradition cases or in political asylum cases from former soviet states. He also advises in relation to the withdrawal of Interpol Red Notices in political and associated asylum cases.
Judicial Review & Public Law
David accepts judicial review and public law instructions.
Inquests & Inquiries
David accepts instructions in relation to Public Inquiries and Inquests.