Expertise

Crime - Prosecution and Defence

9-12 Bell Yard has traditionally been regarded as a leading criminal specialist set of barristers' chambers, and criminal litigation remains the bedrock of our work. We have acted in some of the most serious and high-profile cases over the past decades. All of our members act in criminal cases, and we both prosecute and defend.

From murder and serious fraud to bag snatching or a closing time punch-up, our ethos remains the same – we give the same high standards of care and dedication however big or small the case.

International litigation and legal advice

Our members appear in appropriate overseas and international cases, and in cases with a significant international dimension. A number of our members have been involved in the Guantanamo Bay litigation and litigation relating to the Iraq war. Some of our barristers also frequently act in Death Row appeals before the Privy Council.

Our members also provide legal advice, particularly money laundering compliance advice, to major overseas corporations and lecture internationally on many of our areas of expertise.

Courts Martial

Members of 9-12 Bell Yard have appeared in some of the most serious and high-profile military prosecutions in recent years, including the Baha Mousa case arising from alleged abuses in Iraq, in which several members of 9-12 Bell Yard appeared. Our members frequently act in courts martial both in the UK and abroad.

Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance

Chambers specialises in all aspects of extradition and mutual legal assistance.

Members of Chambers act in major extradition proceedings, both on behalf of the individual and the requesting state. Our members appear at first instance and in the appellate courts, and also advise and undertake drafting work in respect of extradition requests. Several of our junior tenants have been seconded to the Crown Prosecution Service extradition team, and have been able to bring their knowledge from their time there to Chambers.

9-12 Bell Yard also has significant expertise in mutual administrative and legal assistance. Our members are frequently asked to advise on the gathering and use of overseas evidence and on the tracing and freezing of overseas assets. Our members have also provided major strategic policy advice to the government on the international mutual legal assistance system.