Recognised for its track record in ‘undertaking landmark cases in human rights’, particularly in the context of its pioneering Death Penalty Project, Simons Muirhead Burton engages in ’outstanding, life changing, and life saving’ work providing free legal representation to individuals facing the death penalty around the world, as well as challenging the constitutionality of and campaigning for the abolition of capital punishment in retentionist countries. Saul Lehrfreund and Parvais Jabbar lead the charge, with the former ‘an enormously experienced and respected lawyer’ specialising in appeals before the Privy Council and in taking capital cases to international and regional bodies, and the latter ’indefatigable in pursuit of his clients’ interests’, with a wealth of experience providing legal assistance to death row prisoners in Commonwealth countries. Killian Moran ‘brings intellectual curiosity and ability’ to criminal appellate work and constitutional litigation on behalf of prisoners in Caribbean States.
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Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Their Death Penalty Project collaborates successfully with lawyers and civil society around the world where the death penalty has been retained, to good effect. The team has been fundamental to successful efforts to abolish the death penalty in Sierra Leone and Ghana and is making good progress towards this goal in Zimbabwe at present.’
‘The team at The Death Penalty Project at SMB is committed to providing pro bono legal support for the world’s most vulnerable prisoners or those facing trial or at appeal, particularly those facing the death penalty or execution. Their dedication, compassion, and skills are second to none.’
‘They have a very wide range of expertise ranging from media law and commercial matters to criminal trials and appeals, and international work. They have a particular expertise in cases involving the Privy Council and appeals from the Caribbean.’
‘Parvais Jabbar is a brilliant organiser and initiator of criminal appeals, judicial review cases, and indeed extradition cases from the Caribbean and other parts of the Commonwealth. He has unrivalled experience in Privy Council appeals, is very well-connected with lawyers throughout the Commonwealth, and is indefatigable in pursuit of his clients’ interests.’
‘Saul Lehrfreund is an enormously experienced and respected lawyer in the field of death penalty cases.’
‘The international work conducted by the Death Penalty Project is outstanding, life changing, and life saving.’
‘Excellent in Privy Council matters undertaking landmark cases in human rights from across the Caribbean. Hugely knowledgeable. They are always my first recommendation as Privy Council agents.’
- ‘Killian Moran is a very accomplished solicitor with a background in domestic human rights, criminal justice, and prison law. He brings intellectual curiosity and ability, and a sound understanding and analysis of the case, to ensure the best possible outcomes for clients.’
Key clients
- Justin Ramoon
- Uriah Woods
- Devon Gordon, Sherwyn Hart, Deon Greenidge
- Vinson Ariste
- Nardis Maynard
- Tafari Morrison
- Shawn Campbell, Adidja Palmer, Kahira Jones, Andre St John
- Roger Watson
- Kaberia/Munene v AG
- Shannon Rolle et al
Work highlights
- Represented current and former death row prisoners in bringing challenges against the constitutionality of the death penalty in Guyana and Kenya.
- Represented Vinson Ariste in overturning a conviction for a crime he did not commit through an appeal to the Privy Council.
- Represented Adidja Palmer (known professionally as Vybz Kartel, a Jamaican dancehall artist), Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St John in an appeal to the Privy Council to quash a murder conviction.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Saul Lehrfreund
Practice head
Saul Lehrfreund; Parvais Jabbar
Other key lawyers
Killian Moran; Bethany Jackson; Abdul Varachhia; Peter Weiss