Edward Fitzgerald KC
‘Truly sublime. A real treat to watch in court. A fountain of knowledge.’
A pre-eminent set with experience in appearing before the Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights in extradition cases, Doughty Street Chambers is reputed for acting in some of the most high-profile cases on a national and international level, and particularly recommended handling extradition requests involving human rights issues, allegations of war crimes, cybercrime, and multinational frauds. With a track record of defeating requests from the US, Edward Fitzgerald KC continued to represent Julian Assange against extradition to the US, up to a resolution which saw Assange plead guilty to espionage but avoid a custodial sentence in the US. Fitzgerald KC also appeared in Popoviciu v Romania, leading Graeme Hall in the High Court and the Supreme Court, arguing a breach of the right to a fair trial in a challenge to extradition to Romania. Peter Caldwell KC is representing German authorities in a request for extradition in relation to a multi-million-euro Ponzi scheme, with the extradition being challenged on grounds of mental and physical conditions, as well as the risk of increased risk of antisemitism in Germany’s prison estate following the conflict in Gaza. Malcolm Hawkes is acting as opposing counsel, led by Fitzgerald KC, in the same proceedings.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The clerks are friendly, approachable and helpful.'
- 'The clerks always provide an excellent service and are very easy to work with.'
- 'Great quality of counsel, top set for extradition, definitely go to set for complex and sensitive cases.'
- 'In the top three criminal sets , strong at all levels of seniority.'
- 'Doughty Street generally has a high quality extradition team.'
- 'Very high-quality, leading extradition set in the UK.'
- 'Doughty Street Chambers are the chambers by excellence when it comes to extradition work. They have achieved the most note worthy extradition results in the High Court and most recently in the Supreme Court.'
- 'Doughty Street Chambers has deep expertise in extradition law, both at the senior and junior end.'
Lawyers
Leading Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Ben Cooper KC
Tim Moloney KC
‘A skilled communicator, Tim brings out the best and the worst in witnesses - depending on the requirements of the case.’
2025 Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Peter Caldwell KC
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Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
Malcolm Hawkes
‘One of, if not the best junior barristers practising in the field of extradition. A fearless but not aggressive advocate, forensic in presentation and preparation. Thorough, human and approachable, motivated and committed to all his cases.’
Amelia Nice
'Amelia is an extremely talented and experienced advocate. Her ability to prepare and deliver complex advice to clients in a way that is clear and digestible is impressive. Aside from being very knowledge and professional, she is compassionate to clients individual circumstances and always a pleasure to work with.'
Mary Westcott
'Mary is incredibly thorough and hard working. She cares an awful lot about the work she does and that’s reflected in her excellent client care.'
Graeme Hall
‘Graeme is a star of the extradition Bar. He possesses a formidable knowledge of extradition case law and, increasingly, is being instructed in cases that enable him to deploy that knowledge to effect.’
Alex Tinsley
‘Cerebral legal mind combined with ability to communicate effectively and with clarity in layman's terms. Confident advocate based on a bedrock of comprehensive preparation of legal arguments. Innovative when needed.’
Jelia Sané