Sarah Bafadhel

Introduction

Sarah Bafadhel specialises in international criminal law, public international law and human rights law.

She litigates on behalf of clients in high profile and complex cases before international and regional fora which have resulted in landmark decisions developing international jurisprudence.

Sarah provides direct and strategical advice to individual clients as well as governmental and non-governmental actors on the implementation of international law and standards.

Background and expertise

Having appeared as counsel in domestic, regional and international courts, Sarah provides tailored advice and representation to clients across various stages of investigation and judicial proceedings.

Sarah has been instructed to provide consultation to various governments and non-governmental organisations across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Central America with regard to the implementation of international criminal law, transitional justice and public international law.

She has also prepared legal submissions on behalf of individual clients before the United Nations Human Rights Council; the United Nations Working Groups and Special Rapporteurs; the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and in alien tort proceedings before United States District Courts.

Sarah also specialises in the delisting of designated individuals and entities which are subject to sanctioning regimes adopted by the UN, EU, US and UK and has appeared in proceedings before the General Court of the European Union and European Court of Justice. She has also assisted clients in challenging INTERPOL red notices.

She has also appeared in domestic criminal proceedings before the courts of England and Wales and currently advises on judicial review proceedings, extradition proceedings and immigration cases.

Sarah is fluent in Arabic and can provide advice in either English or Arabic.

Other Activities and Interests

• Conference speaker on international law
• Trainer on international procedure
• Editor on international law

Professional commentary

"Her strategic skills are excellent and she's a real team player." (Chambers UK, 2023)

"Sarah is a highly sought-after team member for international criminal cases. She is very bright, she works incredibly hard and she is a go-to person if you want a sensible insight into even the most esoteric aspects of international criminal law."
"Her strategic skills are excellent and she's a real team player." (Chambers, UK, 2023)

"Sarah is a stand-out junior in international criminal law. She is exceptionally skilled in case building and strategy, making her a lethal weapon in court proceedings." (Legal 500, 2023)

"A stalwart of the International Criminal Bar who is highly respected by everyone who works with her. Her knowledge of international criminal law is among the very best in the field." (Chambers UK, 2022)

"Sarah is a highly sought-after team member in international criminal cases. She is very bright, works incredibly hard, and is the go-to person if you want a sensible insight into even the most esoteric aspect of international criminal law." (Legal 500, 2022)

"A brilliant opponent, who makes all the right arguments in difficult cases. She doesn't hold back and never pulls her punches." "Sarah is incredibly hard-working, incisive and someone with a great strategic mind." (Chambers UK, 2021)

‘Sarah is an excellent, diligent and dynamic lawyer who has been fantastic to work with. She drafts extremely well, is very organised and able to manage and prioritise between different tasks and works very well as part of an international team based in various different locations. She also is a strong advocate, clear, concise and persuasive in her submissions.’ (Legal 500, 2021)

"An extraordinary lawyer with impressive analytical and strategic skills, who has an in-depth knowledge of international criminal law and procedure." "Her legal prowess is complemented by her particular insight into political situations in different countries. She will work tirelessly and skilfully to ensure a fair outcome for her client." "Sarah is an excellent, diligent and dynamic lawyer who drafts extremely well and is able to manage and prioritise different tasks." (Chambers UK, 2020)

Also ranked in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

“Respected barrister with experience of handling international criminal cases before the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and the ICC. She is known for her consultancy work and for her specialism in cases stemming from the Libyan conflict. She also appears before the International Crimes Tribunal Bangladesh.

"She is incredibly hard-working, intimidatingly clever and she really knows everything there is to know about international criminal law." "She has a fantastic reputation within the industry."

Recent work: Acted in Prosecutor v Ayyash et al (Special Tribunal for Lebanon), a case concerning individuals being tried in absentia for the assassination of former Prime Minister for Lebanon Rafik Hariri, and 21 others, on 14 February 2005.” (Chambers UK, 2019)

"Intimidatingly clever with a brilliant work ethic" (Legal 500, 2019)

'Her reputation proceeds her. She is a creative advocate on her feet and on the papers' (Legal 500, 2019)

"Acted for one of four defendants tried in absentia for the assassination of the former Prime Minister of Lebanon, Rafik Hariri, and 21 others on 14 February 2005." (Chambers UK, 2018)

"A formidable lawyer with a razor-sharp legal mind. She is incredibly well organised and has a great deal of experience and understanding of international criminal law." (Chambers UK, 2018)

"She is a sound choice for even the most difficult of cases." (Chambers UK, 2017)

"Up-and-coming lawyer noted for her involvement in ICC proceedings, who recently defended one of the individuals who had been charged before the Lebanon tribunal with killing the country's former prime minister. She also has substantial experience of advising the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office on human rights matters. Strengths: "She is extremely bright and speaks Arabic, which is an advantage in this field." (Chambers UK, 2016)

"Instructed in various hybrid tribunal cases." (Legal 500, 2017)

Languages

• Arabic