International Law

OVERVIEW

At 9BR Chambers, we have appeared in some of the highest-profile cases heard in international courts – winning the respect of clients and the judiciary for our skilled advocacy, our dedicated professionalism, and our ability to confront and solve problems.

We are particularly proud of our work in international criminal law, where we have been involved in strategising, advising, representing and assisting heads of state, former heads of state, military officials and high-ranking politicians for the past twenty-five years. Members of our chambers have provided legal services in all of the international criminal courts and tribunals established to date.

We also have valuable expertise in international and domestic human rights law, international crisis management, and cross-border complex financial crime, including bribery and corruption law.

At 9BR, our broad experience and particularised expertise enables us to tailor our legal teams to meet the specific needs of the client and demands of the case. This enables us to guide our clients through the legal aspects of a situation but also to provide practical and strategic advice on political and personal issues they might face, which may include the need to make policy decisions, challenge narratives and provide public relations advice.

Contact us for more information on how we can help you.

International criminal law

Barristers at 9BR Chambers are at the forefront of international criminal law. Our barristers have practice at the International Criminal Court (ICC), the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), the ad-hoc tribunals and the internationalised tribunals, which concern the conflicts and humanitarian crises in the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Cambodia, Lebanon and Bangladesh.

Our breadth of expertise enables us to tackle highly complex trials, tailoring teams to handle the specific demands of each case.  We also have experience in conducting sensitive investigations, often in challenging, hostile conditions. Our members are also trained in the latest document management software systems used by international courts and national inquiries in complex cases and investigations.

International humanitarian law

International humanitarian law seeks to limit the effects of armed conflict. It primarily protects persons who are not or are no longer participating in the hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare.

9BR Chambers holds particular expertise in this field and our members have advised governments on the legalities of armed conflicts and represented individuals charged with grave breaches of its rules, both nationally and internationally.

Barristers in our international team also frequently appear before the UK military courts in complex courts martial, enabling them to further their expertise in military law, structures, and practicalities.

International public law

9BR Chambers has an established public international law practice, representing and advising States, governments, organisations, individuals and corporations on a range of issues.

Barristers in our team have practised and/or advised in matters before the International Court of Justice, and worked with governments on a range of public international matters including sovereign and diplomatic privilege and immunity, the laws of treaties and treaty interpretation, land and maritime territorial and boundary disputes.

Human rights law

Our human rights team is committed to defending the rights of individuals in domestic, regional and international courts. Over the years, our work before the ECtHR has included representing applicants against states such as Russia and Turkey in cases involving freedom of expression, freedom of belief, right to liberty, right to life and the prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

9BR Chambers is also home to the ‘ARC’ initiative (Advice, Representation and Cases), established by one of our members Gillian Higgins. ARC follows the work of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and seeks to strengthen justice and the rule of law in Africa.

International terrorism

At 9BR Chambers, our members have extensive experience in cases involving international terrorism. We have advised governments and represented individuals in a wide range of cases involving complex political situations and armed conflicts in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Our barristers have also been involved in drafting submissions and reports to UN fact-finding bodies on matters relating to terrorism and the legality of the State response.

International law profile

Specialisms

International

International Terrorism

Contact

020 7489 2727

9BR International website

‘A leading set in international criminal law with a global reputation as a result of the strong team of experienced juniors and King's Counsel‘, 9BR is ‘the ‘go to’ set for international criminal law‘

Legal 500, 2022