Rhys is an experienced international criminal law and human rights law practitioner, based in London and the Hague. Rhys has particular experience of in-country legal advice and assistance, most recently in the West Bank, and has a specific interest in the Middle East and the rights of journalists. Rhys is in demand as a commentator on international human rights and regularly appears both on television and in print. He is a frequent speaker at human rights events at the United Nations in Geneva and the House of Commons. Rhys often comments for Al-Jazeera Television, and has recently written for the Times, Guardian and Independent newspapers. Rhys combines his international work with a busy and diverse domestic common law practice in England and Wales.
Rhys accepts instructions across the spectrum of matters concerning international criminal and international human rights law. He is a member of the List of Counsel for the International Criminal Court, the Kosovo Specialist Chambers and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. In addition to his work as a commentator, he is much in demand as a speaker and moderator on panels concerning a broad range of international criminal law and international human rights law issues, with a focus on the Middle East, oppressive state conduct and the rights of journalists.
Rhys has recently spoken at, and chaired, events at the 36th, 37th and 38th sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. He has also recently spoken at meetings at the House of Commons on matters including the use of the death penalty and the protection of prisoners in international law. He is the author of numerous articles concerning justice in the Middle East and is co-author of a recent article on the rule of law in despotic regimes. Rhys has recent experience in the assertion of functional and personal immunity, and particular knowledge in matters concerning the World Bank’s Sanctions Regime.
Within his domestic common law practice, Rhys represents both Claimants and Defendants and has a particular focus on fraudulent claims. Recent experience in this area includes advising in civil fraud and contempt proceedings, private criminal prosecutions and pro-active claims by insurers in cases of suspected dishonesty. Rhys has particular experience in cases concerning fraudulent travel and veterinary claims. Rhys has lectured on wide-ranging areas of common law matters including credit hire, fraud rings and personal-injury litigation tactics.
Rhys is recommended as a Leading Junior in International Crime in the Legal 500.
The 2021 edition describes him as “An excellent advocate. He is a sophisticated and highly effective communicator with a fierce intellect” and “fearless in his defence of Human Rights and individual freedoms”. The 2021 edition notes that Rhys has “particular expertise in the Middle East and representing clients before the United Nations Special Procedure Committees and Special Rapporteurs.”
Rhys was described in the 2020 edition of the Legal 500 as a “polished performer who provides tactically astute advice”.
BVC Inns of Court School of Law
MA (Hons) Law, Trinity College, University of Cambridge
Undertakes Public Access work
23rd September 2020
Rodney Dixon and Rhys Davies have submitted an urgent communication to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous people, and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons.
Read more24th August 2020
Former Saudi Arabian crown prince Mohammed bin Nayef was arrested five months ago and has been detained since without charge.
Read more17th July 2020
Last week the Foreign Secretary imposed sanctions on nationals of four countries following the enactment the UK’s “Magnitsky law.”
Read more3rd July 2020
A Turkish court has opened the trial of 20 Saudi nationals indicted with killing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Read more23rd January 2020
Rhys Davies appeared on Al Jazeera Television and was asked to analyse the legality of threats to attack Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli.
Read more6th January 2020
Rhys was asked to comment on the legality of President Trump’s threat to target Iranian cultural sites.
Read more5th December 2019
Rhys Davies, International Counsel for social rights activist Suha Jbara, has submitted urgent communications to both the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture.
Read more30th August 2019
Rhys was asked to comment on the legal implications following air raids conducted by the UAE in southern Yemen.
Read more18th June 2019
Former president Morsi collapsed and died during a court appearance on the 17th of June, having been in custody since he was deposed in 2013.
Read more12th June 2019
Rhys Davies attended court in Jericho, in the West Bank, on behalf of Suha Jbara, a US/Panamanian citizen detained and tortured by the Palestinian Authority. Following her arrest in November 2018, Ms Jbara was detained for over two months during which time she was subjected to repeated acts of torture, and held in solitary confinement.
Read more20th May 2019
Rodney Dixon QC, counsel for jailed Moroccan journalist Toufik Bouachrine, assisted by Rhys Davies, have submitted an urgent request to Dr. Agnes Callamard, the UN Special Rapporteur investigating the killing of Jamal Khashoggi to obtain and examine Mr. Bouachrine’s mobile phone.
Read more1st April 2019
Rhys Davies was asked to comment on information obtained by the Guardian newspaper that the country’s ruler, King Salman, has ordered reports to be prepared on the condition of Saudi political prisoners.
Read more29th March 2019
Rhys Davies appeared on Al Jazeera Television as part of a panel of human rights and international law experts to discuss the release yesterday of three prominent Saudi Arabian human rights activists.
Read more13th March 2019
Rhys Davies authors an opinion piece in the Guardian today, on the recent Arab–EU summit and challenges the UK and the EU to stand up for human rights and justice.
Read more7th March 2019
Rhys and Aidan took part in a seminar at the House of Commons, hosted by Alastair Carmichael MP.
Read more30th January 2019
Rhys was asked to comment on the steps taken by the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions to investigate the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
Read more21st January 2019
7th January 2019
Rhys appeared on Al Jazeera television to discuss the most recent movements in the Khashoggi case, following the commencement of proceedings in Saudi Arabia.
Read more2nd January 2019
Rhys Davies was interviewed on Al Jazeera television and asked to comment on the likely outcomes following a request by the Detention Review Panel to visit women activists currently imprisoned in Saudi Arabia.
Read more10th December 2018
In light of the refusal by Saudi Arabia to accede to a Turkish request for the extradition of key suspects in the Khashoggi killing, Rhys Davies was interviewed on Al Jazeera television and asked to comment on legal and political remedies. Rhys spoke on the next steps available to Jamal Khashoggi’s family, and the international community at large.
29th October 2018
TGC is pleased to announce that Rhys Davies has been admitted List of Specialist Counsel as Defence Counsel before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) in the Hague.
24th October 2018
Rhys has written an article in the Times, in light of the Khashoggi scandal, calling for the international community to take to the opportunity to prevent catastrophe in Yemen.
22nd October 2018
Following the admission by Saudi Arabia that Jamal Khashoggi was killed at their Turkish Consulate, writing in the Independent newspaper, Rhys Davies addresses possible remedies in international law. Rhys sets out the next steps that might be taken at against both Saudi Arabia and the individuals allegedly involved in the killing.
9th October 2018
Rodney Dixon QC was a speaker at an event held at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington DC on the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia.
Read more5th October 2018
Following the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi after a visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Rhys Davies and Sian Reeves joined other lawyers and human rights activists at a press conference outside the Saudi embassy in London.
Read more17th September 2018
Rhys was asked for his comments on the criticism of the International Criminal Court by President Trump’s national security adviser, John Bolton.
Read more17th July 2018
As part of a series of articles on international justice and the rule of law in other jurisdictions, Rhys Davies & Ben Keith ask whether, following the success of the Dubai International Financial Centre and the imminent launch of the Astana International Financial Centre, countries such as Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates are using the reputation of English law and lawyers to shield their poor human rights records.
27th June 2018
Sian Reeves, Rhys Davies and Myles Grandison spoke at a side event at the 38th session of the Human Rights Council, in Geneva.
Read more25th June 2018
TGC is pleased to announce that Rhys Davies has been admitted to the List of Counsel for the International Criminal Court, in the Hague. Rhys joins chambers’ increasing panel of barristers approved to provide legal assistance in relation to proceedings before the International Criminal Court.
25th June 2018
Rhys chaired, and spoke at, a seminar of international human rights experts in the Grimond Room at the House of Commons concerning the unfolding crisis in Yemen. Rhys was joined by a panel of international lawyers and experts to consider the humanitarian impact of the ongoing international blockade, as well as remedies in international law.
8th June 2018
TGC is delighted to announce that Rhys Davies has been admitted to the List of Counsel for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, in the Netherlands, as Co-counsel.
13th March 2018
Rhys Davies spoke at an event at the 37th session of the Human Rights Council, in Geneva. Rhys chaired a meeting relating to the use of mercenaries in the conflict in Yemen, with particular reference to their deployment by the UAE.
Read more28th February 2018
Rhys Davies and Aidan Ellis spoke at an event at the House of Commons, hosted by Andy Slaughter MP, on the use of the death penalty in Egypt.
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