Experience
Rhys is based in London and the Hague and specialises in international criminal law and international human rights law. Rhys has a particular interest in the Middle East and the rights of journalists and has specific experience of in-country legal advice and assistance, most recently in the West Bank. 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 robust domestic common law practice.
Rhys is recognised as a leading junior in international criminal 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. Rhys is also a member of the list of lawyers for the United Nations Ombudsperson to the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee. He is particularly experienced in matters before the United Nations Special Procedures mechanisms, with a several ongoing cases concerning matters of torture, arbitrary detention and forced displacement.
In addition to his work as a commentator, Rhys 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 and 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 particular knowledge in matters concerning Interpol and the World Bank’s Sanctions Regime.
For more information about Rhys’s International Law, Reputation Management and Legal and Litigation Campaigns expertise please visit ihr-advisors.com
Within his domestic common law practice, Rhys represents Defendants with a focus on fraudulent claims. Recent experience in this area includes advising in civil fraud and contempt proceedings, private criminal prosecutions, and pro-active claims in cases of suspected dishonesty.
Directories
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”.
Education
BVC Inns of Court School of Law
MA (Hons) Law, Trinity College, University of Cambridge
Professional Memberships
- Admitted to list of Defence Counsel before the International Criminal Court
- Admitted to list of Defence Counsel of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon
- Admitted to list of Defence Counsel before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers
- Association of Defence Counsel practising before the International Courts and Tribunals
- International Criminal Court Bar Association
- Human Rights Lawyers Association
- International Bar Association
- Criminal Bar Association
- South Eastern Circuit
Public Access
Undertakes Public Access work
19th February 2021
Rhys Davies was interviewed on Al Jazeera television and asked to comment on the ongoing detention of journalists in Egypt.
Read more
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 more
24th August 2020
Former Saudi Arabian crown prince Mohammed bin Nayef was arrested five months ago and has been detained since without charge.
Read more
17th July 2020
Last week the Foreign Secretary imposed sanctions on nationals of four countries following the enactment the UK’s “Magnitsky law.”
Read more
View External Link
3rd July 2020
A Turkish court has opened the trial of 20 Saudi nationals indicted with killing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Read more
23rd 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 more
6th January 2020
Rhys was asked to comment on the legality of President Trump’s threat to target Iranian cultural sites.
Read more
5th 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 more
30th August 2019
Rhys was asked to comment on the legal implications following air raids conducted by the UAE in southern Yemen.
Read more
18th 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 more
12th 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 more
20th 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 more
View External Link
1st 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 more
29th 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 more
13th 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 more
View External Link
7th March 2019
Rhys and Aidan took part in a seminar at the House of Commons, hosted by Alastair Carmichael MP.
Read more
30th 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 more
Rhys Davies and Aidan Ellis have been added to the list of lawyers for the United Nations Ombudsperson to the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, for petitioners who seek delisting from the sanctions list.
21st 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 more
2nd 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 more
Rhys Davies appears on Al Jazeera to discuss the latest developments in the Khashoggi affair
10th 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.
Rhys Davies admitted to the List of Specialist Counsel before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers
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.
Rhys Davies writes in the Times, addressing the international response to the war in Yemen in light of the Khashoggi killing
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.
View External Link
Rhys Davies writes in the Independent newspaper regarding legal remedies in the Khashoggi affair
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.
View External Link
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 more
5th 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 more
View External Link
17th 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 more
View External Link
Rhys Davies co-authors an article in the New Law Journal – International Justice: English lawyers in despotic jurisdictions.
17th 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.
View External Link
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 more
Rhys Davies admitted to the List of Counsel for the International Criminal Court
25th 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.
Rhys Davies chairs an event at the House of Commons on famine in Yemen
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.
Rhys Davies admitted to the List of Counsel for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon
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 more
28th 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.
Read more
Privacy Notice
Thank you for choosing to instruct me in your case. I will need to collect and hold your personal information in order to represent you. I will take all possible steps to protect your personal information. I am determined to do nothing that would infringe your rights or undermine your trust. This Privacy Notice describes the information I collect about you, how it is used and shared, and your rights regarding it.
Data Controller
I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) as a Data Controller for the personal data that I hold and process as a barrister. My registered address is Temple Garden Chambers, London, EC4Y 9DA and my registration number is Z9638946
Data Collection
The vast majority of the information that I hold about you is provided to or gathered by us in the course of your case and/or proceedings. Your solicitor and/or I will tell you why we need the information and how we will use it.
Our Lawful Basis for processing your information
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requires all organisations that process personal data to have a Lawful Basis for doing so. The Lawful Bases identified in the GDPR are:
- Consent of the data subject
- Performance of a contract with the data subject or to take steps to enter into a contract
- Compliance with a legal obligation
- To protect the vital interests of a data subject or another person
- Performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller.
- The legitimate interests of ourselves, or a third party, except where such interests are overridden by the interests, rights or freedoms of the data subject.
Examples of legitimate interests include:
- Where the data subject is a client or in the service of the controller;
- Transmission within a group of undertakings for internal administrative purposes;
- Processing necessary to ensure network and information security, including preventing unauthorised access;
- Processing for direct marketing purposes, or to prevent fraud; and
- Reporting possible criminal acts or threats to public security.
Our Lawful Basis and our Legitimate Interest can include all of the above as appropriate, but will generally be consent, performance or facilitation of contract, or legitimate interests.
I use your information to:
- Provide legal advice and representation;
- Assist in training pupils and mini-pupils;
- Investigate and address your concerns;
- Communicate with you about news, updates and events;
- Investigate or address legal proceedings relating to your use of my services/products, or as otherwise allowed by applicable law;
- Make statutory returns as required by HMRC.
I do not use automated decision-making in the processing of your personal data.
I collect and process both personal data and special categories of personal data as defined in the GDPR. This may include:
Client data
- Name;
- Email;
- Phone number;
- Address;
- Payment or bank details;
- Date of birth;
- Location details;
- Device IP address;
- Financial information;
- Medical Records;
- Criminal Records.
I may share your personal data with:
- Instructing solicitors;
- Pupil or mini pupil, under my training;
- Opposing Counsel, for the purposes of resolving the case;
- My Chambers management, staff and secretarial staff who provide administrative services;
- My regulator or legal advisors in the event of a dispute or other legal matter;
- Law enforcement officials, government authorities, or other third parties to meet our legal obligations;
- Any other party where I ask you and you consent to the sharing;
- Experts or witnesses involved in legal proceedings in respect of which you instruct me.
Transfers to third countries and international organisations
I do not transfer any personal data to third countries or international organisations.
I retain your personal data while you remain a client unless you ask me to delete it. My Retention and Disposal Policy (copy available on request) details how long I hold data for and how I dispose of it when it no longer needs to be held. I will delete or anonymise your information at your request unless:
- There is an unresolved issue, such as claim or dispute;
- I am legally required to; or
- There are overriding legitimate business interests, including but not limited to fraud prevention and protecting customers’ safety and security.
Your Rights
The General Data Protection Regulation gives you specific rights around your personal data. For example, you have to be informed about the information I hold and what I use it for, you can ask for a copy of the personal information I hold about you, you can ask us to correct any inaccuracies with the personal data I hold, you can ask us to stop sending you direct mail, or emails, or in some circumstances ask us to stop processing your details. Finally, if I do something irregular or improper with your personal data you can seek compensation for any distress you are caused or loss you have incurred. You can find out more information from the ICO’s website http://ico.org.uk/for_the_public/personal_information and this is the organisation that you can complain to if you are unhappy with how I dealt with you.
Accessing and Correcting Your Information
You may request access to, correction of, or a copy of your information by contacting me at Temple Garden Chambers.
Marketing Opt-Outs
You may opt out of receiving emails and other messages from my Chambers by following the instructions in those messages.
Cookies
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your browser or device by websites, apps, online media, and advertisements. The Chambers website use cookies to:
- Validate users;
- Remember user preferences and settings;
- Determine frequency of accessing our content;
- Measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns; and
- Analyse site visits and trends.
I will occasionally update my Privacy Notice. When I make significant changes, I will publish the updated Notice on my Chambers website profile.