Sarah Bafadhel

Introduction

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

She has represented clients in high-profile and complex cases before international and regional courts and tribunals, resulting in landmark decisions which have developed international law.

Sarah provides direct advice to individual clients, as well as governmental and non-governmental actors, on implementing international law and standards.

Background and expertise

Sarah provides tailored advice and representation to clients across various stages of investigation and judicial proceedings.

She has been instructed to provide consultation to governments and NGOs in Europe, the Middle East and Central America on implementing international criminal law and public international law.

She has prepared legal submissions on behalf of individual clients before the UN Human Rights Council; UN 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 US district courts.

Sarah has also assisted clients in challenging Interpol Red Notices, as well as submissions regarding the delisting of individuals from various sanction regimes – including proceedings before the General Court of the EU.

She has also appeared in criminal proceedings before the courts of England and Wales – and 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

Publications

• Admissibility, chapter in Blackstone’s International Criminal Practice, Oxford University Press 2017
• Abuse of Process Doctrine in International Criminal Proceedings, chapter in Abuse of Process in Criminal Proceedings fourth edition, Bloomsbury Professional 2014.
• Co-author of Courting Controversy, Criminal Bar Quarterly (Issue 3 Autumn 2011), Criminal Bar Association.

Professional commentary

"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)

"Intimidatingly clever with a brilliant work ethic" (Legal 500, 2020)

'Her reputation proceeds her. She is a creative advocate on her feet and on the papers' (Legal 500, 2018)

"...respected barrister with experience of handling international criminal before the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and for her specialism in cases stemming from the Libyan conflict."

"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."

"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).

"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."

"She is extremely bright and speaks Arabic, which is an advantage in this field."

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

Languages

• Arabic