Department profile
Doughty Street Chambers

Extradition

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


Doughty Street Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Extradition - London (Bar)

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Doughty Street Chambers is recognised for its "large number of experienced barristers able to handle matters of any complexity." Its barristers are regularly involved in the most high-profile matters of the day and are noted for having developed extradition law itself through the bringing of test cases before the Supreme Court. Individuals here generally act for requested persons both in the UK and in international extradition courts and are known for the commitment and ingenuity they bring to all their cases. Members have acted in several key cases this year, including Japan v Kaine Wright and USA v Mr Gobind Lal Tahil. Members are particularly known for running important human rights arguments in high-profile cases.

Matthew Butchard is the senior clerk for crime.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Doughty Street clerks are delightful and very efficient.

    Extradition respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks at Doughty Street Chambers are polite, professional and efficient.

    Extradition respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Star IndividualsEdward Fitzgerald
    Star IndividualsEdward Fitzgerald

    Edward Fitzgerald

    Edward Fitzgerald KC has a varied practice, regularly taking on the most serious cases and representing the most high-profile defendants, such as Julian Assange. He is highly regarded for his expertise in human rights and civil liberties.

    • Edward is an expert in the field and so on top of human rights issues. He features in so many of the key cases.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
    • Edward is the leader in this field.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
    • I have never known an advocate like Edward. He is a force of nature.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Amelia Nice
    Band 1Amelia Nice

    Amelia Nice

    Amelia Nice is an extradition advocate who represents requesting states as well as requested persons. She has developed particular expertise in handling extradition matters involving children, especially those concerning child abduction and trafficking. Nice attracts praise for her sensitivity with clients.

    • Amelia is very good with vulnerable clients, particularly women. She is a wonderful advocate; very good with clients, very caring and empathetic.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
    • Amelia Nice is excellent at managing a case and driving it forward. She is very proactive in dealing with experts.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
    • Amelia is excellent. She deals with sensitive issues really well and is very experienced.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
    • Amelia is fiendishly clever, combined with genuine warmth of feeling to put clients at ease.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
    • Amelia puts her cases before her at all times and does everything she can to win cases, never gives up and carries on no matter what. She is an extremely bright, kind, friendly and humble lawyer.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Ben Cooper
    Band 1Ben Cooper

    Ben Cooper

    Ben Cooper KC is particularly experienced at handling US extradition requests and also highly capable in conducting extradition cases relating to complex human rights issues.

    • Ben has an enormous amount of knowledge and has been in high-profile, important cases. He identifies what's relevant very fast, and he is inspiring.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
    • Ben provides unrivalled commitment to the client and a brain the size of Jupiter!

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
    • Ben is always looking for new angles and new arguments, always working out a way to win and very often succeeding in ways no-one else has thought of.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
    • Ben has an excellent legal brain. He is a go-to silk for extradition matters.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
    • Ben does not give up where many would; he is the most tenacious barrister I know.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Graeme Hall
    Band 1Graeme Hall

    Graeme Hall

    Graeme Hall comes highly recommended for his extradition defence practice, providing strategic advice and proving himself an expert in constitutional challenges to extradition law. He is particularly noted for defending extradition requests relating to allegations of complex fraud and money laundering and has experience before the Supreme Court.

    • Graeme is incredible. He has a smooth approach and is authoritative. He has such good form for finding the legal issues in the case; he can develop legal arguments super well.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
    • Graeme is very smart and is high on my list of senior juniors for extradition cases. He is very responsive and really good.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
    • Graeme is a very smart operator and a powerful advocate.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
    • Graeme is one of the standout juniors.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Malcolm Hawkes
    Band 1Malcolm Hawkes

    Malcolm Hawkes

    Malcolm Hawkes specialises in extradition and is regularly instructed in high-profile matters. He has significant experience of handling international extradition requests. Hawkes is adept at conducting complex cases relating to European arrest warrants that encompass human rights issues and is also extremely experienced at handling Interpol Red Notices.

    • Malcolm Hawkes is experienced and committed; able to identify issues and challenges and present them with ease.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
    • He is the full package: encyclopaedic knowledge of the law, a fearless advocate and a genuinely warm person who treats all clients with real respect that they can feel.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
    • Malcolm’s meticulous preparation of written submissions and breadth of knowledge ensures the most complex cases can be won.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
    • Malcolm is a wonderful, calm advocate, always fighting, always defending and always finding new arguments to prevent extradition.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Mary Westcott
    Band 1Mary Westcott

    Mary Westcott

    Mary Westcott has extensive expertise in relation to the ECHR and public law and is regularly instructed in complex extradition matters. She is particularly experienced at handling matters involving inhumane prison conditions, human trafficking and children's rights.

    • Mary goes above and beyond. She offers a great source of help and reassurance to instructing solicitors.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
    • Mary is quite simply brilliant. Extremely clever and really cares about the clients.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
    • Mary is a formidable advocate and is meticulous in her preparation of cases. She is able to grapple with extremely complex law and advance robust legal arguments.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
    • Brilliant on her feet, she combines chatty and formal in a way no-one else manages. Liked by all, fearless and extremely hard-working.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Alex Tinsley
    Band 2Alex Tinsley

    Alex Tinsley

    Alex Tinsley has a well-regarded extradition practice covering issues concerning prison conditions and post-extradition rights violations. He frequently appears as a junior on complex extradition cases, as well as contributing his advisory expertise to Interpol concerns.

    • Alex is a real specialist in politically motivated requests. He has a really good depth of knowledge and a forensic mind. He is really strong at drafting and a pleasure to work with.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
    • In extradition, Alex is an authority on Interpol and international criminal law. He is a go-to for Interpol cases. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of Interpol.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
    • Alex is outstanding in related fields of Interpol and Red notices. He brings something extra.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Kate O'Raghallaigh
    Band 4Kate O'Raghallaigh

    Kate O'Raghallaigh

    Kate O'Raghallaigh is a well-regarded junior regularly instructed in high-profile and complex extradition proceedings and experienced in handling extradition cases concerning Article 8 and children's rights. She also has extensive expertise in terrorism-related matters.

    • Kate is forceful, focuses on esoteric points and is phenomenal.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
    • Kate is a very robust and strong advocate.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksPeter Caldwell
    New SilksPeter Caldwell

    Peter Caldwell

    Peter Caldwell KC is well regarded for the depth of his knowledge in complex extradition matters, and is experienced both as a prosecutor and as defence counsel. He has handled numerous complex and high-profile extradition requests, including European arrest warrant matters and individual cases of British citizens facing extradition to international jurisdictions. Caldwell has additional expertise in offering counsel on Interpol Red Notices. He also has experience of advising financial corporations and government agencies.

    • Peter is a great advocate; he has a lovely style and judges really listen to him.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
    • Peter is tactically brilliant and reads the court better than any other advocate I have seen.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar
    • Peter is brilliant. He is really user-friendly, very responsive and is good at listening to clients.

      Extradition respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Doughty Street Chambers (9)

London (Bar)

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