International Law

Temple Garden Chambers is a world leader in international law.

Our members have acted in the most serious cases in international criminal law, public international law and international human rights law. We maintain a permanent presence in the Hague. Members of chambers routinely appear at the highest level before international criminal tribunals including the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice, the United Nations and others.

Members of chambers have appeared in the most high-profile international cases in recent years and have substantial experience in advising and representing governments, political leaders, companies as well as victims and NGOs. Members of chambers have prosecuted, defended and intervened in the most serious cases before all international criminal tribunals.

Members of our International Law Team include the current Chief Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court, the former Attorney General for England and Wales, the former Director of Services Prosecutions as well as the co-authors of the leading textbook the practice and procedure of international criminal courts, Archbold International, now in its fourth edition.

Chambers appears in the highest ranking in the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners for international law. Members of chambers regularly act on a pro bono basis where appropriate.

International Criminal Law

Members of chambers have unparalleled experience acting in international criminal law cases, representing individuals across the spectrum of international criminal law from Heads of State to victims. We both prosecute and defend, and act for governments and victims. Karim Khan KC and Rodney Dixon KC are co-authors the leading textbook in practice and procedure of international criminal courts – Archbold International (Sweet and Maxwell), now in its fourth edition (Lord Justice Adrian Fulford, Consulting Editor). Karim Khan KC is the Chief Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court. Current HM Chief Inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service, Andrew Cayley KC was the United Kingdom’s Director of Service Prosecutions from 2013 to 2020.

Public International Law

Temple Garden Chambers acts in international claims arising from armed conflicts concerning human rights and a wide range of other disputes. Members of chambers have been involved in claims against the United Nations, diverse other international organisations and companies.

Members of chambers have advised and represented the UK Government and Governments from around the world in international law cases covering human rights issues, investment treaty matters, border and territorial disputes, UN matters, maritime delimitation litigation, civil claims, public inquiries, war crimes, extradition and mutual assistance, terrorism, military law, and private international law matters. We have extensive expertise in dealing with the challenges and sensitivities of Government work and safeguarding the best interests of public departments and bodies.

Members of chambers are experts in diverse foreign jurisdictions and have extensive links across the world with associate tenants in Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa and elsewhere. Members of chambers have extensive experience acting across the spectrum of international human rights law. We are expert in interstate litigation. We act for private clients as well as governments and have acted in some of the most important public, international and private international law cases. We routinely appear in actions before the International Court of Justice, the European Court of Human Rights, the European Court of Justice, the UN Human Rights Council and other UN bodies, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Members have experience in cases involving allegations of genocide and other crimes against humanity. We have acted for NGOs, human rights groups and victims in some of the most serious cases of human rights breaches in recent times.

Members of chambers frequently lecture and speak on matters concerning international law. Members are regularly commentators in both print and broadcast media, having recently appeared in newspapers including The Times, Washington Post and the Guardian. Members often contribute as trainers in international advocacy training. Chambers is acutely aware of the need to extend access to justice to all and where appropriate, will act on a pro bono basis.

Public International Law and International Humanitarian Law issues arise regularly in the UK in public inquiries, extradition cases, civil cases and criminal prosecutions; counsel are equipped to take and argue such issues in domestic courts whenever appropriate. Members of chambers have appeared in many public inquiries, including the Baha Mousa Inquiry; civil cases including in respect of private law claims arising from the Iraq conflict; Privy Council cases; judicial reviews such as on immunity issues for foreign state officials visiting the UK; and, in criminal cases, including the Lockerbie trial.