Ben Keith > Chambers of David Josse KC > London, England > Barrister Profile

Ben Keith

+44 (0) 207 332 5400 benkeith@5sah.co.uk View profile

Work Department

Ben Keith is a leading barrister specialising in Extradition and International Crime, as well as dealing with Immigration, Serious Fraud, and Public law. Ben is ranked as a Leading Junior: Immigration. Ben continues his Tier 1 ranking in International Crime & Extradition in the Legal 500.

Position

Ben Keith is a leading barrister specialising in cross-border and international cases. He deals with all aspects of Extradition, Human Rights, Mutual Legal Assistance, Interpol, Financial crime and International Law including sanctions. He represents governments, political and military leaders, High Net Worth individuals, human rights defenders and business leaders in the most sensitive cases.

He has extensive experience of appellate proceedings before the Administrative and Divisional Courts, Civil and Criminal Divisions of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court as well as applications and appeals to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and United Nations.

A specialist in political cases and those arising from corporate raiding (see recent seminar at Chatham House here).

A leading authority on the removal of INTERPOL Red Notices for worldwide clients, he edits the Red Notice Monitor blog. Dealing with politically motivated allegations and the use of transnational repression by foreign governments.

He has significant expertise in human rights, extradition and asylum proceedings in post-soviet states including Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Moldova and Kazakhstan. He is sought after to represent politically exposed persons in extradition, immigration and financial proceedings, including sanctions.

He is also a leading barrister in Immigration and Public law. Appointed to the Attorney General’s ‘A’ Panel of counsel, dealing with some of the most complex cases for the UK government. He advises the Government Legal Department on a range of public law matters. He Specialises in complex asylum claims for politicians and High Net Worth individuals often linked to extradition proceedings and Interpol Red Notices.

He has expertise in the Middle East including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt dealing with cases of torture, disappearance and universal jurisdiction. He has dealt with cases from many jurisdictions in the Far East including: China, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Philippines and Malaysia.

Ben is recognised within Chambers & Partners High Net Worth Guide: Financial Crime.

Ben represents high-profile and ultra high net worth individuals in financial crime matters. Keith’s experience includes dealing with fraud allegations and extradition issues.

He is ranked in Chambers and Partners as a band 1 leader in the field of Extradition at the London Bar and in the Legal 500 as a Tier 1 leading individual in international crime and extradition. Ben is also ranked in Chambers & Partners in the field of Immigration.

Pro bono work

A pro bono barrister in complex international and domestic cases he won the International Pro Bono Barrister of the Year in November 2021.

Ben writes and provides legal commentary to national and international newspapers including: Guardian, Times, New Statesman, Independent, Daily Express, Deutsche Welle, Canadian Whig Standard, Wall Street Journal, BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky, CNN and Al Jazeera.

For more information about Ben’s International Law, Reputation Management and Legal and Litigation Campaigns work please visit www.ihr-advisors.com

What the Legal Directories say about Ben Keith:

‘ He has a particular expertise in political cases and is very knowledgeable on current affairs in Russia and the Middle East. ’

The Legal 500 2022.

“Out of this world,” he “has in-depth knowledge and has defended numerous individuals in the most serious cases.” “knowledgeable, go-to junior” for cases stemming from Russia and Ukraine.

Band 1 – Chambers & Partners & Legal 500: Extradition.

 “Extremely bright.” “His advocacy is excellent and he is the kind of lawyer who is always there for you.” “His knowledge and understanding of the countries and political systems he deals with is unparalleled.”

Chambers and Partners 2021.

“A fount of knowledge who must have dealt with every country the UK has an extradition treaty with. He’s very approachable and leads others to have confidence in him.” “Out of this world,” he “has in-depth knowledge and has defended numerous individuals in the most serious cases.”

Chambers and Partners 2020.

 ‘He has an indomitable court presence, with the tactical acuity to match. Ben brings a wealth of experience and contacts across not just Europe, but many jurisdictions around the world, including India and the Russian Federation.’

The Legal 500 2021.

‘ Wins cases on preparation alone, excellent advocacy and witness handling. Goes out of his way to advise and assist solicitors.’

The Legal 500 2020.

“Gifted, very diligent and up-to-date on the law.” “He is unafraid to raise challenges on all sorts of issues, and has his finger on the pulse.” “He is a really clear, straight-to-the-point advocate.”

“One of the most experienced barristers specialising in extradition relating to former Soviet states and the more complicated cases that involve political motivations.”

“He has built a career in defending those from former Soviet states and is an expert in dealing with those countries.” “His knowledge of Russia and the political situation is unrivalled.”

“He is tactically astute, fantastic with clients, and adept at giving straightforward and accessible advice in the most complex cases.”

Career

• Ben was called to the Bar in 2004.

• Deputy Judge of the Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber)
• Defence Extradition Lawyers Forum (Chair 2020-2021)

• International Bar Association
• International Criminal Court, List of Counsel
• Kosovo Specialist Chamber, List of Counsel
• Fraud Lawyers Association, founding member
• European Criminal Bar Association
• Criminal Bar Association

Extradition & International

Ben is one of the most experienced and highly regarded extradition barristers. He regularly acts for clients based in foreign jurisdictions who seek his advice on extradition, Interpol and associated issues. He has a busy Appellate practice, appeared in over 100 cases before the Administrative and Divisional courts in cases dealing with Human Rights including allegations against requesting states of torture, political corruption, rendition and discrimination. He has conducted well over 500 extradition cases.

“An extremely impressive advocate who, when tackling a case, knows the politics, landscape and arguments that will work.”

“An industry expert in cases concerning extradition to former CIS states. His knowledge and understanding of these countries and the political nature of extradition requests in that part of the world is unparalleled.”

Chambers and Partners 2023.

He wrote submissions to the House of Lords Committee on Extradition Law on behalf the Criminal Bar Association and gave evidence to the Committee.

Immigration

A leading immigration barrister with extensive experience before the Court of Appeal and in judicial review before the High Court and Upper Tribunal.

Appointed a Deputy Judge of the Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber).

Business Crime & Financial Regulation & Criminal Defence

Ben is appointed to the International Criminal Court and Kosovo Tribunal counsel lists in the Hague. He presented at the UN conference on Reparations in Doha, Qatar as well as for the Arab Organisation for Human Rights in London and Geneva. Advises individuals and NGO’s on international law and Universal Jurisdiction.

• Advises and represents in complex cross-border cases often involving high net worth individuals and senior executives.
• Expertise in search warrants and associated public law challenges in criminal cases.
• Expertise in appeal proceedings and judicial review of criminal cases.

Judicial Review & Public Law

Significant experience in judicial review and Habeas corpus acting for both individuals and government departments in a range of work, including complex inquests into deaths in custody and subsequent judicial review proceedings. Experienced in advising and representing in public inquiries, including the Independent Inquiry on Child Sexual Abuse. Advises individuals and corporates and government departments on criminal and civil liability arising from inquests and inquiries.

Memberships

• Deputy Judge of the Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber)
• Defence Extradition Lawyers Forum (Chair 2020-2021)
• International Bar Association
• International Criminal Court, List of Counsel
• Kosovo Specialist Chamber, List of Counsel
• Fraud Lawyers Association, founding member
• European Criminal Bar Association
• Criminal Bar Association