Edward Fitzgerald KC
'Edward has a great ability to engage a court to consider novel and complex arguments.'
‘The go-to set for this area’, Doughty Street Chambers has a track record of success in the most prominent extradition cases, with members integrating experience in domestic and international human rights law to lead on the most challenging and novel proceedings on the side of defendants. Edward Fitzgerald KC remains a leading figure on the extradition Bar, and in 2024 achieved major success acting for Julian Assange in obtaining permission from the High Court to appeal his extradition order, which eventually resulted in a plea deal and Assange’s return to Australia without serving a custodial sentence in the US. A silk ’steeped in experience in extradition law’, Ben Cooper KC achieved success in the Supreme Court in Merticariu vs Romania, a test case on the right to retrial under the Extradition Act 2003, where he led junior counsel Mary Westcott and the ‘incisive, brave and dedicated’ Malcolm Hawkes. Peter Caldwell KC took silk in 2o25, and his recent work includes obtaining bail for a person who faced charges of running a drug trafficking operation in India.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Clerks are always very helpful.'
- 'The chambers contains a number of skilled advocates which means good back up is always available. It is a well clerked and extremely efficiently run, busy set of chambers.'
- 'Well renowned extradition set with counsel available across the whole spectrum. They will nearly always have someone to cater for an individual client’s needs'
- 'Exceptional set, especially for extradition. Committed and passionate barristers, leading in this field.'
- 'The go to set for this area, place human rights at the forefront of their ethos.'
Lawyers
Leading Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Ben Cooper KC
'Ben is a silk steeped in experience in extradition law. He prepares all his cases with great care and focus. His advocacy is both compelling and engaging.'
2025 Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Peter Caldwell KC
‘Peter brings an air of calm authority. He has a remarkable ability to read the tribunal and tailor his approach accordingly.’
Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
Malcolm Hawkes
'He has a unique combination of qualities - empathy, determination, legal creativity, poise and sharpness of mind. A superb advocate, even under heavy fire.'
Mary Westcott
Mary is incredibly diligent and hard-working. She is extremely experienced and well versed in extradition law and procedure having dealt with a wide range of differing cases over a number of years. She is hugely helpful to solicitors that instruct her. She has a clear and direct advocacy style which is always which appears to endear her to tribunals.'
Amelia Nice
‘Amelia is a fantastic extradition brief. She is confident, bright and a pleasure to work with.’
Graeme Hall
'Graeme's understated approach is seriously effective. A clever lawyer, one to watch.'
Alex Tinsley
'Alex has an incredibly creative and meticulous legal mind. His drafting is consistently brilliant – elegant, thoughtful, and forensic. He brings real intellectual depth to every case yet remains remarkably humble and grounded. A standout barrister and a real pleasure to work with.'