Garden Court International

Garden Court International forms part of Garden Court Chambers, a London-based set of barristers founded over 40 years ago on a commitment to promote fundamental human rights and freedoms.

To contact the Garden Court International Clerks, please email internationalteamclerks@gclaw.co.uk 

or phone +44 (0)20 7993 7600

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Our commitment to promote fundamental human rights and freedoms is reflected throughout our work and embodied in our motto, ‘Do right, fear no-one’.

Our pioneering work was recognised when we won the Human Rights and Public Law Set of the Year at the Chambers Bar Awards 2016. We are ranked as a leading set for international criminal law and extradition by the Legal 500 UK Bar Guide.

Garden Court Chambers has almost 200 barristers, including 28 KCs, who are well known and respected in their fields. They bring expert understanding of international law and how to use it strategically to serve their clients most effectively.

Our international law barristers frequently work on difficult, ground-breaking cases that help to shape the law; we have experience of every major international court and tribunal; we provide expert training to other lawyers, judges and clients; and we contribute to many of the leading publications in our fields.

Many of our international law barristers undertake pro bono work for individuals or organisations who could not otherwise afford legal help.

Recent notable cases and news

Appellant in Barbuda Runway Challenge delivers statement at 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States Civil Society Forum

Marc Willers KC, Leslie Thomas KC, Stephen Cottle and Thalia Maragh, of the Garden Court Chambers Environmental Law and Climate Justice Team, represent John Mussington and Jacklyn Frank pro bono, instructed by Theo Solley of Sheridans. Global Legal Action

30 May 2024

Friends of the Earth takes legal challenge against anti-protest injunctions to European Court of Human Rights

Friends of the Earth is represented in these proceedings by Stephanie Harrison KC, Stephen Clark and Fatima Jichi of Garden Court Chambers and by Wessen Jazrawi at the law firm Hausfeld.

24 May 2024

Irena Sabic KC and Thalia Maragh conduct legal empowerment training for Ogiek community in Kenya

Our Irena Sabic KC and Thalia Maragh volunteered with International Lawyers Project (ILP) to deliver training for the Ogiek community in Kenya.

21 May 2024

Verdict in Nicolaou Inquest before Cypriot Court Confirms Murder

The family of Nicolaou were represented in the third inquest by Leto Cariolou, Associate Member of Garden Court Chambers.

15 May 2024

Acland Bryant joins Garden Court Chambers as new tenant

We are delighted to announce that Acland has joined Garden Court Chambers as a new tenant.

4 April 2024

European Court of Human Rights Grand Chamber to Deliver Rulings in Landmark Climate Justice Cases

Marc Willers KC and Richard Harvey represent the Swiss Senior Women in Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz and Others v. Switzerland. Richard Reynolds and Paul Clark represent the youth-applicants in Duarte Agostinho and Others v. Portugal and 32 Others.

28 March 2024

Privy Council holds that islanders have standing to challenge construction of runway on Barbuda

Marc Willers KC, Leslie Thomas KC, Stephen Cottle and Thalia Maragh, of Garden Court Chambers’ Environmental Law and Climate Justice Team, represent John Mussington and Jacklyn Frank pro bono, instructed by Theo Solley of Sheridans. Global Legal Action Ne

27 February 2024

Dr Susie Alegre joins as a new associate tenant

We are delighted to announce that Dr Susie Alegre has joined Garden Court Chambers as an associate tenant.

29 January 2024

Seán Binder interviewed on his humanitarian work which nearly cost him his career in The Times and Law Society Gazette

Garden Court's client Seán Binder interviewed in The Times and the Law Society Gazette on his ordeal of nearly being denied entry to the legal profession due to his ongoing prosecution in Greece for his humanitarian work.

18 December 2023

Humanitarian Seán Binder cleared to continue his legal training despite controversial Greek prosecution

Gráinne Mellon and Emma Fitzsimons acted for Seán Binder in fitness to practice matters pro bono, also led by Edward Fitzgerald KC. They are instructed by Andrew Katzen, Hickman and Rose.

4 December 2023

Barbuda runway challenge to be heard by the Privy Council

Marc Willers KC, Leslie Thomas KC, Stephen Cottle and Thalia Maragh, of Garden Court Chambers’ Environmental Law and Climate Justice Team, represent John Mussington and Jacklyn Frank pro bono.

2 November 2023

Climate Case to be heard at European Court of Human Rights against 32 European States brought by 6 Portuguese youth

Richard Reynolds and Paul Clark are representing the youth-applicants, led by Alison Macdonald KC of Essex Court Chambers. Counsel are instructed by Global Legal Action Network.

26 September 2023

Gráinne Mellon advises CAJ in Belfast on immigration checks on Irish land border

The Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) has commissioned a legal opinion on the legality of ongoing passport/immigration checks on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland following Brexit.

21 July 2023

Irena Sabic KC appointed Deputy King’s Bench Master

Garden Court Chambers is delighted to announce that our colleague Irena Sabic KC has been appointed by the Lord Chief Justice as a Deputy King’s Bench Master, based at the Royal Courts of Justice.

11 May 2023

Marc Willers KC represents Swiss Senior Climate Women at the European Court of Human Rights

Marc Willers KC of Garden Court Chambers represented the Swiss Senior Women as part of an international legal team.

5 April 2023

Trial of migrant search and rescue worker Seán Binder is due to be heard in Lesbos, Greece on 10 January despite multiple breaches of international human rights law

Grainne Mellon of Garden Court Chambers acts for Sean Binder. She is led by Edward Fitzgerald KC of Doughty Street Chambers, instructed by Tessa Gregory and Carolin Ott of Leigh Day Solicitors London.

9 January 2023

Helen Foot, Emma Fenn and Gráinne Mellon appointed as Recorders

We are delighted to announce that Helen Foot (Call: 2008), Emma Fenn (Call: 2010) and Gráinne Mellon (Call: 2010) of Garden Court Chambers have been newly appointed as Recorders by the Queen.

26 January 2022

Greek authorities urged to review the criminal case against search and rescue volunteer

The criminal case against search and rescue volunteer Seán Binder, brought by the Greek authorities, breaches international human rights law, according to a legal opinion by Gráinne Mellon, of the Garden Court Chambers International Human Rights Team.

15 November 2021

Gráinne Mellon highly commended at Bar Pro Bono Awards 2021 in the 'Junior Pro Bono Barrister of the Year' category

We are delighted to announce Gráinne Mellon of Garden Court Chambers was highly commended in the 'Junior Pro Bono Barrister of the Year' category at the Bar Pro Bono Awards 2021

3 November 2021

Gráinne Mellon shortlisted for International Bar Association's Pro Bono Award 2021

We are delighted to announce Gráinne Mellon of Garden Court Chambers has been shortlisted for the International Bar Association's Pro Bono Award 2021 for her incredible work helping vulnerable EU children and families apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

28 October 2021

Garden Court secures number one rankings in Chambers UK Bar Guide 2022

21 October 2021

Dexter Dias QC Appointed Deputy High Court Judge

Garden Court is very pleased to announce that our colleague Dexter Dias QC has been appointed as a Deputy High Court Judge.

30 September 2021

Maria Moodie appointed UK National Research Consultant on anti-trafficking efforts for British Institute of International and Comparative Law

The BIICL has recently appointed Maria Moodie of Garden Court Chambers as the National Research Consultant for the UK case study into the determinants of anti-trafficking efforts as part of an innovative global study.

20 July 2021

Garden Court barristers appointed Legal Counsel to CEDAW People's Tribunal

Sonali Naik QC, Amanda Weston QC, Nicola Braganza, Grace Brown, Louise Hooper and Maria Moodie, all of Garden Court Chambers, are instructed pro bono to represent the CEDAW People's Tribunal.

14 May 2021

Maria Moodie co-drafted GREVIO's mid-term report that launched today, on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the opening for signature of the Istanbul Convention

Maria Moodie of Garden Court Chambers co-drafted the report, 'Mid-term Horizontal Review of Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) baseline evaluation reports'

10 May 2021

Coordinated effort by 33 countries to overturn ‘urgent’ status of youth climate change case rejected by Strasbourg Court

Our Marc Willers QC, Irena Sabic, Richard Reynolds, Paul Clark and Ella Gunn of Garden Court Chambers represent the youth-applicants

26 February 2021

Amicus curiae brief on international human rights and environmental law filed in Wayúu indigenous peoples’ claim against mining company in Colombia

The amicus was drafted by Camila Zapata Besso of the Garden Court International Team with Jelia Sane and Dr Keina Yoshida of Doughty Street Chambers, instructed by Sue Willman of Deighton Pierce Glynn.

14 September 2020

Supreme Court challenge to lawfulness of UK facilitation of the death penalty in the US

Jacob Bindman is representing the intervener, Reprieve, led by Mark Summers QC at Matrix Chambers. They are instructed by Rosa Curling of Leigh Day in the expedited appeal at the Supreme Court.

5 August 2019

Leslie Thomas QC appointed as Board member by Bar Standards Board

We are delighted to announce that Leslie Thomas QC, Chair and Joint Head of Garden Court Chambers, has been appointed as a new Board member by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).

23 May 2019

CAN Europe is intervening in the People’s Climate Case

Marc Willers QC of the Garden Court Chambers Environmental and Planning Law Team is the leading barrister representing CAN Europe. Garden Court's Richard Reynolds, Paul Clark and Julia Lowis worked with Marc on the application to intervene. 

20 September 2018

Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal to hear new arguments in Barbudans’ legal action against “unlawful” development of international airport

Leslie Thomas QC, Marc Willers QC, Thalia Maragh and Tihomir Mak are instructed in this case. 

11 September 2018

Work on Barbuda international airport halted by interim injunction

Leslie Thomas QC, Marc Willers QC, Thalia Maragh and Tihomir Mak of Garden Court Chambers are instructed on this case.

3 August 2018

The Team

Laurie Fransman KC

Year of Call: 1979

Year of Silk: 2000

Henry Blaxland KC

Year of Call: 1978

Year of Silk: 2002

Icah Peart KC

Year of Call: 1978

Year of Silk: 2002

Dexter Dias KC

Year of Call: 1988

Year of Silk: 2009

Rajiv Menon KC

Year of Call: 1993

Year of Silk: 2011

Stephanie Harrison KC

Year of Call: 1991

Year of Silk: 2013

Leslie Thomas KC

Year of Call: 1988

Year of Silk: 2014

Michael Ivers KC

Year of Call: 1991

Year of Silk: 2016

Amanda Weston KC

Year of Call: 1995

Year of Silk: 2018

Edward Grieves KC

Year of Call: 1995

Year of Silk: 2023

Irena Sabic KC

Year of Call: 2002

Year of Silk: 2023

Marguerite Russell

Year of Call: 1972

Kathryn Cronin

Year of Call: 1980

Rajeev Thacker

Year of Call: 1993

Louise Hooper

Year of Call: 1997

Adrian Berry

Year of Call: 1998

Gordon Lee

Year of Call: 1998

Hannah Rought-Brooks

Year of Call: 1999

Ronan Toal

Year of Call: 1999

Bojana Asanovic

Year of Call: 2000

Felicity Williams

Year of Call: 2000

Sadat Sayeed

Year of Call: 2001

Victoria Meads

Year of Call: 2002

Sarah Hemingway

Year of Call: 2006

Alex Grigg

Year of Call: 2007

Kirsten Heaven

Year of Call: 2007

Richard Reynolds

Year of Call: 2007

Lyndsey Sambrooks-Wright

Year of Call: 2008

Jacob Bindman

Year of Call: 2010

Paul Clark

Year of Call: 2010

Gráinne Mellon

Year of Call: 2010

Catherine Oborne

Year of Call: 2011

Susan Wright

Year of Call: 2013

Audrey Cherryl Mogan

Year of Call: 2014

Eleanor Sibley

Year of Call: 2014

Meredoc McMinn

Year of Call: 2015

Jennifer Grehan

Year of Call: 2016

Ollie Persey

Year of Call: 2017

Oscar Davies

Year of Call: 2018

Steven Galliver-Andrew

Year of Call: 2018

Ella Gunn

Year of Call: 2018

Acland Bryant

Year of Call: 2019

Stephen Kamlish KC

Year of Call: 1979

Year of Silk: 2003

Pete Weatherby KC

Year of Call: 1992

Year of Silk: 2012

Anna Morris KC

Year of Call: 2006

Year of Silk: 2023

Richard Harvey

Year of Call: 1971

Nicos Trimikliniotis

Year of Call: 1993

Dr Susie Alegre

Year of Call: 1997

Paul Troop

Year of Call: 1998

Femi Omere

Year of Call: 1999

Kamran Choudhry

Year of Call: 2001

Sareta Ashraph

Year of Call: 2002

Smita Shah

Year of Call: 2002

James Mehigan

Year of Call: 2008

Dr Hannah Tonkin

Year of Call: 2013

Brenda Campbell KC

Year of Call: 2002

Year of Silk: 2018

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