Simons Muirhead Burton handles a high volume of work concerning the human rights of those at risk of capital punishment, and the team has successfully challenged the constitutionality of the mandatory death penalty in several countries. Saul Lehrfreund and Parvais Jabbar, the co-founders and team leaders, specialise in appellate advocacy before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, particularly in cases involving individuals sentenced to death. The team also has extensive experience litigating capital cases before international bodies, including the Inter-American Commission and Court of Human Rights, as well as the United Nations Human Rights Committee. Lehrfreund has extensive experience in assisting lawyers representing prisoners facing capital punishment in Commonwealth countries.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'SMAB is totally unique. The firm's knowledge and expertise in this important and difficult area is unrivalled. Every member of the team - from partners to paralegals - is dedicated and professional. Cases are handled with calm confidence; momentum is maintained in even the most difficult of circumstances.'
- 'Parvais Jabbar - his passion for each new project is infectious. He manages to get the best out of everyone he works with by building a team that is collegiate and focused. Killian Moran - he has a calm and thoughtful approach, but is decisive at the same time. He is totally on top of the law, and can be relied on to ensure that everything runs smoothly.'
- 'SMB is the leading firm conducting appeals to the Privy Council. They have huge experience and unrivalled expertise in this area.'
- 'Parvais Jabbar has done incredible work over many years helping the most in need clients from around the world obtain justice and often avoid the death penalty. He is a very highly respected lawyer with a proven track record, and is the go-to solicitor for those who have been wrongfully convicted in countries where the Privy Council retains jurisdiction.'
- 'Unique level of knowledge of litigation in the Privy Council. '
- 'Saul Lehrfreund and Killian Moran both have exceptional technical knowledge and judgement.'
Key clients
- Taiwan Constitutional Challenge
- Jamaicans for Justice
Work highlights
Advised an individual in relation to his appeal against conviction and sentence to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC).
Advised an individual in relation to his appeal against conviction to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC).
Advised an individual in successfully appealing his conviction to the Privy Council, which unanimously quashed his convictions for murder and armed robbery due to misdirection on the law of joint enterprise.
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