Martin Hackett > Kate Blackwell KC > Manchester, England > Barrister Profile

Martin Hackett

0161 832 5701 martin.hackett@lincolnhousechambers.com

Work Department

Criminal Law
International Criminal Law
Terrorism Offences
War Crimes

Position

Martin Hackett is an experienced Criminal Law Barrister who specialises in the most serious and complex cases.

He is currently working for the European Union Rule of Law Mission in the Special
Prosecution Office for the Republic of Kosovo as an International Prosecutor and Head of
the War Crimes Unit.

Seconded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in November 2013, Martin is
practising as a Continental Civil Law Prosecutor with overall responsibility for more than
800 war crimes cases. His duties range from dialogue with the Serbian authorities for the
development of joint investigations and disclosure in war crimes cases, to appearing as a
Prosecution Advocate before international Judges in War Crimes trials.

Martin has also advised the FCO, the Kosovo Government and the International Commission for Missing Persons regarding war crimes, corruption and organised crime.

In addition to his international work, Martin has spent well over 20 years practicing in serious crime on the Northern Circuit, he has considerable experience in handling the most complicated and sensitive sexual cases, complex fraud allegations, large scale drug conspiracies and cases involving murder, manslaughter and serious violence.

Martin is often instructed in cases where defendants or witnesses suffer from severe mental health problems.

Martin is a CAT 4 Prosecutor.

Prosecutor and Head of the War Crimes Unit
EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX)

Martin has responsibility for developments in joint investigations in War Crimes, to
appearing as Prosecution Advocate in Court before International Judges. As Unit Head he
is responsible for over 800 war crime matters including old UNMIK cases, allocating these
to other prosecutors, liaising closely with the Police War Crimes Investigation Unit
regarding the priority and running a very active high profile team of Prosecutors and Legal
Officers.

Martin manages the Unit’s caseload and strategy and is accountable to the Head of
Mission. His additional duties include interviewing witnesses, directing the whole
investigation process, drafting documents and indictments for the court based upon
International Humanitarian law concerning cases of war crimes.

Martin provides representation to the Chief Prosecutor for the Republic of Kosovo about
politically sensitive cases. He liaises with Serbian Prosecutors and Ministers to establish a
protocol concerning international legal co-operation and disclosure of evidence plus he
liaises over the repatriation of the bodies of victims.

When required Martin takes over as Acting Head of the Special Prosecution Office. A main
part of his role is to research, organise and manage evidence, conduct legal research and
advice on specific cases, including substantive and procedural aspects of Kosovo’s
domestic criminal law and international criminal and human rights law within the
framework of the ICTY.

He works to strengthen the domestic capacity of Kosovan Prosecutors, in this transitional
phase of the mission, to ensure a lasting legacy regarding war crimes prosecutions.

Other War Crimes roles Martin covers include:

• Trial advocacy : opening and closing speeches, examination-in-chief and cross
examination of witnesses, make submissions on motions when required during the
trial process.
• Liaise with NGO’s especially in the area of sexual violence during conflict
• Supervise exhumation sites liaising with both the police and forensic teams.
• Meeting and advising Kosovan government think tank upon corruption.
• Meeting and advising UK Officials upon corruption and war crimes.
• Advising the International Commission for Missing Persons about Kosovan criminal
procedure and how it currently impacts upon ongoing missing persons cases.
• Advising on The Mission Implementation Plan.
• Advising on possible changes in Kosovo law to assist the transition process to full
local Kosovo control over all war crimes matter.
• Attendance at the International War Crimes Conference regarding Balkan co-operation.
• Drafting Memorandum of Understanding between Kosovo and Serbia about the
exchange of information in war crimes cases.

Martin prosecuted two of the Mission’s most high profile cases:
• The Drenica Group trial. It involves the prosecution of high ranking KLA members for
war crimes committed in 1998. The allegations involve murder and torture. Martin is
lead prosecutor in this ten defendant trial which has been running since May 2014.
• The Rezella/Raska case. This involves large scale cross border investigation and dialogue
with Serbia and relates to a massacre during the war where the bodies of the many
victims have been concealed in Serbia.

Career

Called 1995.

Head of the War crimes unit – Martin has overall responsibility for more than 800 war crimes cases managing a very active, high profile team of Prosecutors and Legal Officers as well as liaising with and directing the International Police War Crimes Investigation Unit. He is responsible for the strategic prioritisation of resources.

Education

University of Wales LLB (Hons)