Ben Watson KC

Practice Areas

Particular expertise in extradition, public law, international mutual legal assistance, asset recovery, and crime. Recent high-profile work has included acting for Mrs Hajiyeva (the ‘Harrods shopper’) in the first Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO). Regularly instructed in the leading extradition cases, see recently: India v Modi (jeweler accused of fraud); Russia v Shuppe (Boris Berezovksy’s son in law); South Africa v Dewani (accused of murdering wife on honeymoon), and for the Secretary of State in US v Julian Assange; as well as in heavyweight crime, particularly fraud.

Prior to taking silk, Ben was a member of the Attorney General’s A Panel, and has extensive experience acting for the UK Government in national security cases, as well as for the MoD and FCO in cases arising out of UK military action abroad.

Career

Call 2002; KC 2021; Attorney General’s C Panel 2006; Attorney General’s Special Advocate Panel 2010-2016; Attorney General’s B Panel 2011; Attorney General’s A Panel 2016.

Professional Memberships

Criminal Bar Association

Defence Extradition Lawyers Fellowship

Publications

Asset Recovery (OUP, 2007-date).

National Security (OUP, 2021).

Personal

MA Hons (Cantab); Diploma in law.