Temple Garden Chambers is a leading common law set based in London and The Hague.
With excellence from top to bottom Chambers provides a first class service in a number of different fields.
A Practical Guide to International Crimes in Proceedings Before the Courts of England and Wales, Law Brief Publishing, February 2023 http://www.lawbriefpublishing.com/product/internationalcrimes/
A Practical Guide to Extradition Law Post-Brexit, August 2021 (contributing author) http://www.lawbriefpublishing.com/product/extraditionlawpostbrexit/
Criminal Judicial Review, A Practitioner’s Guide to Judicial Review in the Criminal Justice System and Related Areas, September 2014 (contributing author) https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/criminal-judicial-review-9781782254218/
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 reasonable steps to protect your personal information. I will do all that I reasonably can to ensure I do not 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.
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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, 1 Harcourt Buildings, Temple, London, EC4Y 9DA and my registration number is ZA213605.
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I do not transfer any personal data to third countries or international organisations.
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I retain your personal data while you remain a client and for as long as in necessary for me to meet my legal and professional obligations. 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.
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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 me to correct any inaccuracies with the personal data I hold, you can ask me to stop sending you direct mail, or emails, or in some circumstances ask me 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 and this is the organisation that you can complain to if you are unhappy with how I dealt with you.
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Kathryn Howarth
Described in Chambers and Partners as a “superstar”, Kathryn Howarth has a busy practice covering several of chambers practice areas.
She is recognised as a leading junior in international human rights law, international criminal law, extradition and public law inquests and inquiries. Kathryn provides advice and representation in cases before domestic and international courts and acts on behalf of individuals, corporate clients, NGOs and UK and foreign government departments. Kathryn is the author and co-author of textbooks relating to international criminal law, extradition and judicial review.
Kathryn Howarth practices in public international law and has expertise in international criminal law, international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Kathryn represents her clients in cases before international courts and tribunals and has appeared in domestic courts all the way up to the UK Supreme Court. She is appointed to the Attorney General’s Public International Law Panel of Counsel.
International Criminal Law (“ICL”)
Kathryn is described in the Legal 500 as a “a very experienced advocate in the field on international criminal law”.
She is the author of ‘A Practical Guide to International Crimes in Proceedings Before the Courts of England and Wales’ (Law Brief Publishing) 2023 ed., which is the first publication to set out the law and practice in relation to the litigation of international crimes in the domestic setting. Kathryn is instructed by a variety of clients in advisory work in relation to potential domestic ICL cases (including referrals to SO15) and the domestic application of the UN Torture Convention, the Geneva Conventions Act 1957, the International Criminal Court Act 2003 and issues including public international law immunities. She has appeared in leading cases involving the prosecution of torture as a crime of universal jurisdiction at the Central Criminal Court, which resulted in judgments before the Supreme Court (R. v Agnes Reeves Taylor [2019] UKSC 51) and the Court of Appeal (R. v Kumar Lama [2014] EWCA 1729). She also provides training in relation to ICL and its domestic application.
Kathryn advises and represents clients in international criminal courts and tribunals, including assisting clients with referrals to the Office of the Prosecutor (“OTP”) at the International Criminal Court (“ICC”). She is currently led by Rodney Dixon KC in relation to a referral to the OTP made on behalf of a group of Tunisian clients, including prominent politicians, lawyers, judges and journalists, which concerns potential war crimes and crimes against humanity in Tunisia. Kathryn has a wealth of experience in all things ICL. She spent four years in The Hague at the Special Court for Sierra Leone (“SCSL”), working on the trial and appeal in the seminal case against the former head of state of Libera, Prosecutor v Charles Taylor. Prior to that she worked at the the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (“ICTR”), the State Court for Bosnia and Herzegovina and at the SCSL in Freetown.
Sanctions:
Kathryn also has expertise in sanctions law. She is regularly instructed by the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office to provide advice in relation to UK and UN sanctions relating to various countries, including Myanmar and Iran. Kathryn also assists clients in making applications for sanctions across various sanctions regimes. She can also advise clients in respect of potential challenges to sanctions designations. Kathryn is currently instructed with Rodney Dixon KC in relation to pending applications for sanctions against the President of Tunisia, as well as current and former senior members of the Tunisian government.
International human rights law and the United Nations:
Kathryn advises and acts for organisations and individuals in making representations to various United Nations bodies and Special Rapporteurs. She is recognised in the Legal 500 as a ‘leading junior’ for her work in the field of international human rights.
Her most notable cases include:
Jakup Krasniqi before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers
As of September 2025, Kathryn Howarth has joined the defence team in the case concerning Jakup Krasniqi before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers.
Al-Haq v Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with Oxfam, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch intervening
Ongoing judicial review concerning the Secretary of State’s decision making in relation to arms licensing.
R v TRA [2019] UKSC 51
Led by David Perry QC. A landmark case decided by the UK Supreme Court, which considered the interpretation of the United Nations Convention against Torture.
R v TRA (2018-2020)
Central Criminal Court. Criminal litigation under section 134 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 concerning charges of torture arising from the first civil war in Liberia.
R v Kumar Lama (2012-2016)
Central Criminal Court. Criminal litigation in which a former Colonel in the Nepalese army was tried with charges of torture under section 134 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 arising from the civil war in Nepal.
R v KL [2014] EWCA 1729
Led by Bobbie Cheema QC (now Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb QC). Litigation in the UK Court of Appeal, which considered the interpretation of the United Nations Torture Convention, immunities of United Nations personnel under a Status of Forces Agreement SOFA, and public international law immunities in the case of Pinochet No. 3.
Prosecutor v Charles Taylor (2008-2012)
Special Court for Sierra Leone, The Hague. Trial and Appeal counsel for the Office of the Prosecutor, in the proceedings concerning Charles Taylor, the former President of Liberia, in relation to war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the war in Sierra Leone.
The Hague – represented the Office of the Prosecutor at the Special Court for Sierra Leone during the trial, examining witnesses, including cross-examining members of the NPFL and Liberian Army) and drafting legal pleadings on a range of legal issues.
Prosecutor v Norman, Moinina, Kondewa (CDF); Prosecutor v Brima, Kamara, Kanu (AFRC), Prosecutor v Brima, Kamara, Kanu (RUF); P v Charles Taylor
Special Court for Sierra Leone, Freetown. ICSL in Freetown – intern then consultant for the Appellate section of the OTP responding to the challenges to the Court’s jurisdiction: constitutionality, effects of domestic amnesty (Lome), the crime of use and recruitment of child soldiers, head of state immunity (2003 – 2004) and also consulting on the crime of forced marriage.
Kathryn Howarth is recognised as a leading junior in extradition in both Chambers & Partners and in the Legal 500, in which she was recently described as a ‘quiet superstar’ and as ‘persuasive in her advocacy and drafting, with the ability to present complex arguments in a straightforward manner’. She has successfully represented numerous clients over the years, securing their discharge from extradition proceedings at Westminster Magistrates’ Court and on appeal before the Administrative Court. Kathryn has been instructed in some of the leading cases before Divisional Courts in relation to the Extradition Act 2003. She is currently instructed in several complex cases, involving issues such as the compatibility with Article 3 ECHR of life sentences without parole, and extradition requests concerning historic war crimes allegations. She is a contributing author in the textbook ‘A Practical Guide to Extradition Law Post-Brexit’ (Law Brief Publishing).
Her most notable cases include:
Brazil v Charlenne Savergnini
Ms Savergnini ran a travel agency in Brazil but has been convicted of operating it not only as a travel agency but also an illegal ‘bureau de change’ and of fraudulently taking money from clients by operating an illegal investment scheme. She fled Brazil, leaving her clients seriously out of pocket. The case attracted significant media attention in Brazil. She was discharged by the Senior District Judge at Westminster Magistrates’ Court who had concerns about the conditions she would be detained in prison in Brazil. This is the first case to look at conditions in women’s prisons in Brazil.
Adel Badie v Secretary of State for Home Department
This is the first case concerning an order for extradition to Kuwait, following the agreement of an Extradition Treaty between Kuwait and the United Kingdom in 2021. Partly because it is the first extradition case involving this jurisdiction it has thrown up a series of significant legal issues. There is currently an application to appeal against the decision of the District Judge, as well as the decision of the Secretary of State to order extradition. Kathryn is instructed to act on behalf of the Secretary of State in the appeal proceedings in relation to specialty.
Albania v Haxhia, Hunt, Mithan, Bridgeman and Simpson
Harry Simpson and the four other requested persons in this case are sought by the Government of Albania in relation to murder charges in connection with a “blood-feud” murder in Albania. Significant legal issues are being argued in the case, including: the possibility of a life sentence without parole being imposed, prison conditions in Albania, the scope for a fair trial in Albania, as well as issues concerning Mr Simpson’s mental health and family life – he is a British citizen, with a young family. Mr Simpson’s extradition was ordered at first instance.
Cichowicz v District Court in Bydgoszcz [2024] EWHC 1914 (Admin)
Represented the RP, securing his discharge in relation to a charge of grievous bodily harm (GBH) after a successful argument in relation to dual criminality.
Stojevic v Croatia [2024] EWHC 1477 (Admin)
Represented the Croatian JA in relation to a request involving war crimes allegations during the conflict in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s.
Poland v Adam Ganske (July 2023)
Secured the discharge from extradition proceedings at Westminster Magistrates’ Court of the RP on the basis of Article 8 ECHR. Mr Ganske’s surrender was sought in relation to a sentence of 3 years imprisonment. His family circumstances and culpable delay tipped the balance.
Czech Republic v Anita Sarayova (June 2023)
Secured the discharge from extradition proceedings at Westminster Magistrates’ Court of the RP, whose extradition was sought by the Czech Republic in relation to several offences of imprisonment. The RP was discharged on Article 8 grounds in view of the impact that extradition would have on her two young children.
Maric v Croatia (March 2023)
Represented the Croatian JA in relation to a second request for extradition in relation to alleged war crimes during the war in Croatia in the 1990’s. Cranston J refused permission to appeal.
Poland v Graczyk (October 2022)
Represented the RP who was discharged at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on the basis that extradition would result in a disproportionate interference with his private life (Article 8 ECHR).
Sanchez v USA [2020] EWHC 508 (Admin)
Represented the Government of the USA the Divisional Court comprised of Fulford LJ and Laing J in relation to life sentences without parole. The case is currently on appeal before the European Court of Human Rights.
Jasieniewicz v District Court in Wroclaw-Fabryczna, Poland [2019] EWHC 3187 (Admin)
Represented the RP in a case which considered the interpretation of the test under s.20 in relation to trial in absence.
Benmaimum v France [2019] EWHC 1798 (Admin)
Represented the RP in an abuse of process challenge, concerning the interpretation of Article 28 of the Framework Decision of the EAW regarding the deduction of time served in custody.
Maric v Croatia [2016] EWHC 3526 (Admin)
Represented the JA in relation to an extradition request concerning historic war crimes allegations.
Duncan v Presiding Magistrate, Malaga, Spain [2015] EWHC 3466 (Admin)
Represented the JA before the Divisional Court, in the leading case which provided the first guidance on applications under section 21B of the Extradition Act (the “temporary transfer” provision).
Oparcik v Poland [2015] EWHC 2067 (Admin)
Successfully appealed against an order for extradition, on the basis of Article 8 owing to culpable delay by the requesting state (post Celinski).
Macaulay v Spain [2015]
Successfully obtained the adjournment of extradition before the Administrative Court, until satisfactory assurance of medical treatment was provided, following a kidney transplant (section 25).
Kandola v Germany; Ijaz v Italy; Droma v Germany [2015] EWHC 619 (Admin)
Represented the JA in leading case, the first to consider section 12A of the Extradition Act (“absence of a prosecution decision” provision).
Jankowski v Poland [2015] EWHC 2522 (Admin)
Represented the JA in a case involving a dispute about the service of the notice of appeal form.
Anghel v France [2015] EWHC 493 (Admin)
Represented the JA in a case in which the RP had been extradited before his appeal hearing was heard.
Skraba v Poland [2014] EWHC 2193 (Admin)
Represented the JA in the first case to consider the jurisdiction to award costs in extradition proceedings.
Kathryn is recognised in the Legal 500, as a band 4 senior junior in the field of inquests and inquiries. Kathryn advises and represents a range of interested parties, including families, at pre-inquest review hearings and inquests. Kathryn’s experience includes military inquests, deaths in prison custody and deaths in the community.
Notable cases include:
Inquest into the death Marine Benjamin McQueen (2023)
Kathryn was a member of is currently instructed in the counsel team for the Ministry of Defence in relation to an inquest into the death of Marine Benjamin McQueen during military training at Portland Harbour in 2018.
Katrina Makunova (2021)
Kathryn represented the London Borough of Merton in an inquest concerning the death of 17 years old Katrina Makunvoa, who was killed by a knife wound in an altercation with her ex-boyfriend at a block of flats in London. The case was widely reported in the media.
Kathryn is recognised in the Legal 500, as a band 4 senior junior in the field of inquests and inquiries. She is noted across the legal directories as being ‘good’ with witnesses and ‘very good’ with vulnerable clients. Kathryn has acted for core participants in several significant Public Inquiries including the Independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan, the Infected Blood Inquiry, the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and the Undercover Policing Inquiry.
Kathryn Howarth has a broad public law practice, which covers both advisory and court work and includes judicial review. She is instructed in cases involving human rights, national security, public international law, international trade and licensing, environmental law, contempt of court, criminal judicial review, prison law and immigration and asylum law. As a member of the Attorney General’s Panel she is frequently instructed to represent Government Departments but consistent with her wider practice Kathryn also represents individuals, corporate clients and NGOs in public law proceedings. Kathryn is a contributing author in ‘Criminal Judicial Review’ (Hart).
Notable cases include:
Al-Haq v Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with Oxfam, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch intervening
Ongoing judicial review concerning the Secretary of State’s decision making in relation to arms licensing.
R. (on the application of Seerangan Dhasarathan) v. Secretary of State for the Home Department (Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber), 16 April 2024)
Successfully represented the Secretary of State in a hearing before Thornton J in which the Applicant challenged the Secretary of State’s Covid Assurance policy.
R. (on the application of Vernon Vanriel) v Adjudicator’s Office [2023] EWHC 925 (Admin)
Led by Edward Brown KC, represented the Secretary of State in this judicial review which concerned an award of compensation under the Windrush Compensation Scheme.
MAH (Egypt) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2023] EWCA Civ 216
Appeared in the Court of Appeal in a case which concerned credibility and corroboration in asylum proceedings.
His Majesty’s Attorney General v Elavi Dowie [2022] EWCA Civ 1574
Successfully represented the Attorney General in the Court of Appeal, in proceedings relating to contempt of court in the context of private family law proceedings.
Judgment was handed down on 29 October 2025 in an appeal concerning the first extradition to be ordered following the implementation of the Extradition Treaty between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of the State of Kuwait....
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On 30 June 2025, the High Court handed down judgment in Al Haq v Secretary of State for Business Trade. Kathryn Howarth acted for the Defendant, in a team led by Sir James Eadie KC. The High Court dismissed the...
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The Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry, Sir Brian Langstaff, published his Final Report 20th May 2024. The Inquiry was established to examine the circumstances in which men, women and children were given infected blood or infected blood products in...
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On 15 December 2022, the Ministry of Defence announced the Government’s decision to formally establish the Independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan (“IIRTA”) under the Inquiries Act 2005.The IIRTA is to investigate matters arising from the deployment of British Special Forces...
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Between 10th and 28th July 2023 Sir Ernest Ryder, appointed as Judge Coroner heard the inquest into the death of Marine Benjamin McQueen at the Royal Courts of Justice. The Judge Coroner ruled that Marine McQueen died on 14 November...
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Kathryn Howarth led by Edward Brown KC successfully represented the Secretary of State for the Home Department (“SSHD”) in this case, which concerned a judicial review of an award of compensation under the Windrush Compensation Scheme. The Clamant, Mr Vanriel...
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Judgment was handed down on 29 October 2025 in an appeal concerning the first extradition to be ordered following the implementation of the Extradition Treaty between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of the State of Kuwait….
Temple Garden Chambers is pleased to be hosting the TGC Extradition Book Launch for the second edition of “A Practical Guide to Extradition Law Post-Brexit.”Date: Thursday, 25th September 2025Time: 6:00 PMLocation: Temple Garden Chambers, 1 Harcourt Buildings, Temple, London, EC4Y…
On 30 June 2025, the High Court handed down judgment in Al Haq v Secretary of State for Business Trade. Kathryn Howarth acted for the Defendant, in a team led by Sir James Eadie KC. The High Court dismissed the…
On 3 and 4 March 2025, Kathryn Howarth and Aidan Ellis provided a two-day training course on international criminal law to MET police officers from SO15. The training focussed on the investigation and prosecution of international crimes in proceedings in…
A Practical Guide to International Crimes in Proceedings Before the Courts of England and Wales, Law Brief Publishing, February 2023 http://www.lawbriefpublishing.com/product/internationalcrimes/
A Practical Guide to Extradition Law Post-Brexit, August 2021 (contributing author) http://www.lawbriefpublishing.com/product/extraditionlawpostbrexit/
Criminal Judicial Review, A Practitioner’s Guide to Judicial Review in the Criminal Justice System and Related Areas, September 2014 (contributing author) https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/criminal-judicial-review-9781782254218/
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 reasonable steps to protect your personal information. I will do all that I reasonably can to ensure I do not 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, 1 Harcourt Buildings, Temple, London, EC4Y 9DA and my registration number is ZA213605.
Data Collection
All of the information that I hold about you is provided to me or gathered solely in the course of and for the purposes of your case, proceedings or any related matter.
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:
Examples Of Legitimate Interests
My Lawful Basis is Legitimate Interest namely the provision of professional services to you and the proper exercise of my professional obligations and responsibilities. My Lawful Bases may also include: consent and/or performance of a contract with you or steps to enter a contract with you and/or compliance with a legal obligation. In so far as I process sensitive personal data that is necessary in relation to legal proceedings and/or obtaining legal advice and/or otherwise for establishing, exercising or defending legal rights and/or for administering justice.
I Use Your Information To
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 includes:
I May Share Your Personal Data With:
Transfers To Third Countries & International Organisations
I do not transfer any personal data to third countries or international organisations.
Retention
I retain your personal data while you remain a client and for as long as in necessary for me to meet my legal and professional obligations. 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.
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 me to correct any inaccuracies with the personal data I hold, you can ask me to stop sending you direct mail, or emails, or in some circumstances ask me 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 and this is the organisation that you can complain to if you are unhappy with how I dealt with you.
Accessing & Correcting Your Information
You may request access to, correction of, or a copy of your information by contacting me in writing at my registered address.
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:
I May Update My Privacy Notice
When I make significant changes, I will publish the updated notice on my website profile.
Updated: 01/11/2022
