The 36 Group

36 Crime

Preetika defends and prosecutes in the Crown Court, Youth Court and Magistrates Court. Her practice covers the full spectrum of criminal cases. She is also building a practice in extradition law and crime related public law.

Preetika is a confident and versatile trial advocate. Prior to joining the 36 Group, Preetika completed a crime pupillage at 25 Bedford Row and also practised across discrimination law at Doughty Street Chambers. As a result, she is equally comfortable and proficient at trial advocacy (whether a case turning on witness credibility or voluminous documentary evidence), submissions advocacy and legally complex civil pleadings/written advocacy.

Preetika has an excellent record in cases with challenging odds and before difficult benches – including succeeding in a case against a Band 1 Silk. She is known for her client care, attention to detail and leaving no stone unturned as a fearless defence advocate.

Preetika’s background prior to the bar is in gender justice and human rights activism (domestically and internationally). She was part of the committee that reformed Indian criminal law following the Delhi gang rape in 2012. She subsequently worked with UN Women HQ and the Government of India on implementation of these reforms.

Her international law experience includes:

- Part of the Karadžić defence team at the ICTY (appeal arguments in relation to failure to reopen defence case to remedy prosecution disclosure violations).
- Office of the UN Secretary General at UNHQ (assisted multilateral processes in UN General Assembly and Security Council; speech writing; report writing).
- Consultant for UNICEF on rights of children within Myanmar’s criminal justice system.
- Advising international NGOs in relation to international human rights mechanisms.

Preetika also previously set up a vulnerable witnesses training project for law schools in India along with the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales.

Preetika has a particular interest in cases at the intersection of crime, cyber law, human rights and international law. She has worked on landmark constitutional litigation around the world at this crossover. This includes working with the former Solicitor General of India on a challenge to the world’s most intrusive surveillance and biometric database (Privacy/Aadhar case).

Preetika also worked on:

- The case which decriminalised same-sex relations in India (Navtej Singh Johar v Union of India).
- Intervening in a challenge to the deportation of 40,000 Rohingya Refugees in India (Mohammed Salimullah v Union of India).
- A $550 million arbitration arising out of the sale of adulterated medicines in the US (heard in Singapore).
- The Vijay Mallya extradition case.

Call: 2016.

Area of experience:

Serious & Complex Crime

Publications:

Preetika has published articles and blog posts on a range of human rights issues including for: European Human Rights Law Review, Discrimination Law Association, Indian Constitutional Law and Philosophy and Each Other (formerly Rights Info).

Awards and scholarships:

Sir Geoffrey Nice Foundation International Criminal Law Award, Inner Temple, Bar of England and Wales (2016) & (2017) International Bar Association Human Rights Training Award (2015) Jardine Studentship, Inner Temple, Bar of England and Wales (2015) Major Exhibition Award, Inner Temple, Bar of England and Wales (2015) NDTV Indian of the Year Award for Contributions to Gender Justice – Awarded to the Justice Verma Committee (2013)

Criminal Bar Association Young Fraud Lawyer's Association Bar Human Rights Committee of England & Wales Human Rights Lawyers Association Administrative Law Bar Association Grade 1 CPS Prosecutor

City University, London - BPTC The London School of Economics & Political Science - LLM University of Oxford - BA (Hons) Jurisprudence (Law) 2.1