Mission
I am committed to promoting the Rule of Law as the indispensable foundation of a civilised society and a healthy democracy.
The Rule of Law’s guiding principles state the law applies equally to everyone including those in power. No one is above the law and power must not be exercised arbitrarily. In essence the Rule of Law ensures all citizens are treated equally and have access to a fair legal system.
First articulated in the Magna Carta of 1215, The Rule of Law is fundamental to my legal practice, particularly in the field of sanctions, where it is frequently invoked to challenge sanctions before the courts.
My commitment to the Rule of Law is both professional as well as deeply personal. As the son of parents who both served in the Second World War - a conflict that led directly to the establishment of vital post-war treaties and conventions, I remain closely engaged in efforts to safeguard the legal standards that underpin our global legal order.
I actively support the work of JUSTICE, a UK-based charity dedicated to strengthening the Rule of Law and protecting the rights of individuals within a democratic society.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP AND MEDIA COMMENTARY
My views on sanctions and the Rule of Law are frequently sought by journalists, policymakers, and legal professionals. I am a regular speaker at leading conferences and events on international law and sanctions.
In 2024 I gave an extensive interview to The Times on the UK’s “complex and draconian” targeted sanctions system. I am quoted as saying:
‘In theory, sanctions are “temporary administrative measures and not of a criminal or punitive nature”, …. …. In practice, they can last for many years and have the same practical impact on those targeted as punitive measures, without affording them the same levels of due process and judicial protection as are provided to the subjects of criminal proceedings.
A sanctioned person can find themselves in a Kafkaesque situation whereby suddenly and without any prior notification they are subjected to highly draconian measures, yet they are given little information about the grounds for their listing or the evidence said to justify such action.
The sanctioned person can find it difficult to get a lawyer, know the evidence against them and can face “a lengthy uphill struggle” to challenge the imposition.”
KEY EVENTS AND ENGAGEMENTS
Keynote speaker: Sanctions in Disputes Forum (London, 2024)
I delivered a keynote address on “Challenging Designations and Licensing Decisions” at TL4’s Sanctions in Disputes Forum.
The Kadi Litigation: Sanctions and The Rule of Law (King’s College London, 2024)
I served as a panellist and Mr Kadi’s legal representative at this major international conference hosted by the Dickson Poon School of Law.
Mr Kadi personally addressed The Rule of Law and Kadi Litigation International Conference and delivered introductory remarks which served as the conference framework
Expert Panel included:
Guy Martin, Solicitor for Sheikh Kadi
Lord David Anderson KBE KC, counsel in Kadi and former UK Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation
Richard Barrett CMG OBE, former UN Head of Monitoring Team on al-Qaeda and the Taliban
Judge Kimberly Prost, International Criminal Court and former UN Ombudsperson
Professor Oana Stefan, Chair of European Law King’s College, London
Sheikh Yassin Abdullah Kadi
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Chambers and Partners Global Sanctions, co-edited by Guy Martin (September 2024)
Global Investigations Review’s Guide to Sanctions (Third Edition) (July 2022)
Global Investigations Review’s Guide to Sanctions (Second Edition) (July 2021))
Global Investigations Review’s Guide to Sanctions (First Edition) (August 2020)
UK implementation of the first autonomous sanctions for human rights abuses, co-authored by Guy Martin (2020)