Introduction

Carl is a highly sought after specialist Barrister in the fields of International Criminal law, Domestic and International Human Rights, and Public law. In addition to his work as Counsel Carl has lectured extensively across the globe on issues related to international human rights and international law. 

He has brought cases at all levels in England & Wales and is an experienced appellate Court advocate. In addition to his domestic work Carl has brought cases on behalf of individuals in the European Court of Human Rights, the International Criminal Court at the Hague, the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights,  and through the UN System of Protection.

Carl’s practice is truly international having appeared before the Kosovo Specialist Chamber at the Hague as Co-Counsel in The Special Prosecutor v Hysni Gucati and Nasim Haradinaj. He has also been instructed by a survivors group providing assistance to those seeking accountability following the Tuam Babies Scandal in Ireland and previously by the Cordoba Foundation to draft multiple reports concerning the Muslim Brotherhood and the breakdown of the rule of law under President Sisi following the coup d’etat. 

Carl’s work has involved numerous countries, including Libya, Bangladesh, Gambia, Egypt, Myanmar, where has been instructed to assist those who have suffered torture, detention and inhumane treatment at the hands of political parties and warlords, and Palestine where he was the author of amicus curiae submissions to the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber on the question of jurisdiction in 2021  

He has trained lawyers in various jurisdictions notably delivering a program of training to Palestinian lawyers in Jerusalem and has trained Judges and Prosecutors on the subject of torture in Gambia. 

Further, Carl has drafted multiple applications on behalf of individuals seeking to remove INTERPOL Red Notices issued for their arrest. 

Judicial Review and Public Law

Carl is highly experienced Public Law practitioner, having brought numerous challenges on behalf of prisoners and their families, and issues arising with those seeking Asylum in the UK, including the following:

R (on the application of Benit) v. The Parole Board [2022] EWHC 2172 (Admin)

R (on the application of Raw) v. The Parole Board [2021] EWHC 1934 (Admin) – Led By Geoffrey Robertson KC

R (on the application of Nodwell) v Secretary of State for Justice [2022] EWHC 3173 (Admin)

R (on the application of McKoy) v Secretary of State for Justice [2023] EWHC 3047 (Admin)

R (on the application of Overton) v. Secretary of State for Justice [2023] EWHC 3071 (Admin)

R (on the application of Uddin) v. Secretary of State for Justice [2024] EWHC 696 (Admin)

R (on the application of Downey) v. Secretary of State for Justice [2024]

R (on the application of Garmson) v. Parole Board [2024] EWHC 1106 (Admin)

R (on the application of Khalisadar) v Secretary of State for Justice [2024] EWHC 2408 (Admin)

R (on the application of Oakley) v Secretary of State for Justice [2024] EWHC 292 (Admin) – Currently listed before Court of Appeal

R (on the application of Sneddon and Another [Oakley}) v Secretary of State for Justice [2024] EWCA Civ 1258 – Led by Jude Bunting KC.

Civil Actions Against the Police and Public Authorities

Carl’s domestic human rights work extends to individuals subject to False Imprisonment, Unlawful Arrest, and various other tortious claims against UK authorities. He is an experienced trial advocate regularly acting in fast and multi-track matters around the country against various police forces, prisons, and other public authorities. Carl takes pride in acting for those who are subject to unlawful interference by those who hold power in addition to acting for those who are subject to discrimination. 

Data Protection

Carl also acts in matters of data protection. He undertakes both individual and group matters and is instructed to represent the Claimants in class action data protection matters against Capita PLC and the MOJ following mass data breaches. He has significant experience in Civil claims for damages arising out of Data Protection Act breaches, and associated claims under article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Human Rights Claims

Carl has brought numerous claims on behalf of individuals seeking redress for violations of their rights guaranteed by Article 3, 5, 8, 9, 13, and 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights, and associated claims under the Equality Act. He is experienced in the domestic application of the European Convention on Human Rights, and other applicable international human rights instruments to relevant context within the UK including privacy issues

General

Carl accepts instructions on a private, CFA, and legal aid basis. He has undertaken a large amount of work pro bono and seeks to help those who are unable to help themselves. Carl goes the extra mile for his clients and will fight their corner no matter what odds are stacked against him. He is an expert in cross examination and can turnaround a seemingly unwinnable case. Carl is a committed, passionate, diligent and motivated Higher Court advocate and will travel domestically and internationally to further his client’s cause. 

International Crime

Provided extensive advice and training to judges, lawyers, law enforcement agencies, and civilians throughout the Middle-East, and South Asia.

Brought cases on behalf of individuals before all levels of the UK Judicial System, the European Court of Human Rights, the International Criminal Court at The Hague, the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights, the UN Human Rights Committee, and the UN System of Protection.

Submissions before UN Inquires into a number of conflict and post conflict scenarios, including Israel and the Occupied territories, and Libya.

Experienced advisor on judicial reform, legislative reform, and institution building, internationally, including the development of bespoke training and legislative reform packages.

Experienced in domestic application of the European Convention on Human Rights, and other applicable international human rights provisions to relevant context within the UK including privacy issues.

Past Instructions include:

KOSOVO

Instructed as Co-Counsel for Mr. Nasim Haradinaj, ‘The Specialist Prosecutor v. Hysni Gucati and Nam Haradinaj’ at the Kosovo Specialist Chamber sitting in the Hague

SYRIA

Member of the legal team instructed by the Syria National movement in relation to the ‘Caesar’ investigation into the mass starvation, detention, torture, and murder of thousands of Syrian citizens. Investigation into the death of Dr. Abbas Khan, a British surgeon detained by the Syrian Government, who later died in custody.

Part of the team that authored the International Bar Association Training Manual for Syrian Lawyers on bringing claims under principles of Universal Jurisdiction.

Drafting the Article 15 communication to the ICC requesting a preliminary examination be opened in the first application of the ‘Myanmar’ decision.

MYANMAR

Lead author of the Amicus Curiae brief submitted to the Pre-Trial Chamber at the International Criminal Court on the subject of ‘Jurisdiction’ of the ICC in Bangladesh concerning allegations against the

Government of Myanmar and the forced deportation of the Rohingya.

PALESTINE

Author of Amicus Curiae submissions to the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber on the question of jurisdiction (2021 decision).

Submission of a complaint to the ICC regarding the use of torture by the Palestinian Authority.

Submission of a complimentary filing with the British Metropolitan Police, under the principles of Universal Jurisdiction.

Design and implementation of a training programme concerning the investigation and documentation of human rights violations, to Palestinian lawyers in Jerusalem.

Investigation and drafting of a detailed submission to the UN Commission of Inquiry following Operation Protective Edge in Gaza.

Filing of a case before the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights, against Egypt, on behalf of individuals effected by the closure of the Rafah Border Crossing.

RED NOTICE

Drafting of a number of applications on behalf of a number of individuals, seeking to remove an INTERPOL Red Notice issued for their arrest

Prison & Parole Boards

R (on the application of Benit) v. The Parole Board [2022] EWHC 2172 (Admin)

R (on the application of Raw) v. The Parole Board [2021] EWHC 1934 (Admin) – Led By Geoffrey Robertson QC

R (on the application of Nodwell) v Secretary of State for Justice [2022] EWHC 3173 (Admin)

R (on the application of MK) v. Secretary of State for Justice [2022]

Numerous further cases currently awaiting permission

Publications

Muslim Brotherhood – The Myth of Violence and Terrorism

Egypt’s Stolen Democracy – Understanding the Motivations and Key Actors

Shattered Dreams in Egypt – The end to the hopes for Democracy

The Rule of Law in Developing Countries – The Case of Bangladesh

Numerous ‘Op-Eds’ in a number of media outlets, national and international.