Introduction
Lucinda is a specialist in public international law, with a focus on all aspects of international criminal law, international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
Lucinda has worked on a number of high profile cases at the International Criminal Court, the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, the International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh, the Bosnian War Crimes Chamber, the UN Mission in Kosovo and the European Court of Human Rights. She has also worked as an advisor on international and domestic criminal law to the UK Ministry of Justice and as an advisor to various NGOs on public international law and human rights issues, including on international humanitarian law to the British Red Cross.
Lucinda boasts excellent academic and intellectual credentials. She was placed first on the LLM (Public International Law) at the London School of Economics in 2006 and was awarded the prestigious Georg Schwarzenberger Prize in International Law for outstanding performance in the field of public international law across the University of London. Lucinda obtained a distinction on the Graduate Diploma in Law (2002) and graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics, focusing on international politics.
Prior to specialising in public international law, Lucinda practised as a criminal barrister, defending clients in criminal cases in the Crown and Magistrates’ Courts of England and Wales.
Lucinda predominantly undertakes international cases, advisory work and consultancy services for governments, international organisations and private clients. She is also available to provide lectures, seminars and workshops on public international law and human rights. She is licensed to receive instructions direct from members of the public.
Areas of Practice
- Public International Law
- International Criminal Law
- International Humanitarian Law
- International Human Rights Law
International
Egypt 2015
Member of the team led by Steven Kay QC from the international practice group at 9 Bedford Row commissioned by the State Lawsuit (Litigation) Authority of Egypt to provide a series of reports in 2014 upon the Muslim Brotherhood, the first of which “The History of the Muslim Brotherhood” was released on 2 April 2015. The further reports commissioned are: The Egyptian experience of the Muslim Brotherhood in power 2012-2013; The Egyptian Revolution against the Muslim Brotherhood 2013; and The current situation in Egypt.
The Prosecutor v Uhuru Kenyatta, International Criminal Court from 2013 – 2015.
International Criminal Court proceedings commenced in December 2010 against President Uhuru Kenyatta of the Republic of Kenya, and son of the first President of the nation, Jomo Kenyatta, alleging a leading role in the post-election violence of 2007-2008 in respect of which he was charged with crimes against humanity.
In December 2014, the charges were finally withdrawn by the Prosecution, having admitted there was an insufficiency of evidence upon which to proceed to trial.
To read a report on the failure of that case and the work of the 9 Bedford Row Defence team click here.
Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo 2013
Pro-bono project to challenge on behalf of the Virunga National Park in DRC a UK FTSE 200 company, prospecting for oil and gas in the famous UNESCO Heritage site and home to the last species of mountain gorillas. This matter involved consideration of international environmental law, the national laws of DRC and national laws governing the company involved. Steven Kay QC’s team at 9BR were determined to protect the local people and wildlife under threat from the commercial activities of the company.
International Crimes Tribunal, Bangladesh 2012 – 2013
Lucinda had a key role on the Defence Appeals team from 9 Bedford Row International and advised on the Appeals of members of Jamaat E Islami from the International Crimes Tribunal, Bangladesh to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, following trials for charges of crimes against humanity and genocide during the 1971 ‘Liberation War’. The trials were internationally condemned as unfair and defendants faced the death penalty.
Prosecutor v Ghulum Azam, International Crimes Tribunal, Bangladesh 2012 – 2013
Lucinda advised on trial strategy, drafted the defence trial brief, provided detailed legal and evidential analysis, prepared roadmaps for witness examination-in-chief and cross-examination and supervised team members to assist local trial counsel in Bangladesh, in the case of Professor Ghulum Azam, described by ‘The Economist’ as ‘the big one’.
British Red Cross 2012 – 2013
Engaged by the British Red Cross to advise on international humanitarian law to ensure that the British Red Cross fulfilled its commitments under international law and relevant Red Cross/ Crescent rules and policies. Delivered to the Department for International Development (DFID) a paper on Humanitarian Assistance.
The Prosecutor v Ratko Mladic
The UN International Criminal Tribunal of the Former Yugoslavia 2011
General Ratko Mladic was charged with genocide, crimes against humanity and violations of the laws and customs of war. Lucinda was instructed to assist a key expert witness prepare complex evidence for trial.
Advice on international crimes and domestic criminal law to Ministry of Justice Legal Directorate, Criminal Law Division 2008 – 2009
Advised Ministers, the Criminal Law Policy Unit, the Bill team and the Press office of the Ministry of Justice on jurisdictional issues surrounding the laws of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes prior to the decision to amend the jurisdiction of the UK courts to prosecute these offences. Delivered to Ministers, Criminal Law Policy Unit and the Bill team, advice in relation to the preparation of complex and novel primary legislation contained within the Coroners and Justice Act.
UN Mission in Kosovo, UNMIK, Pristina 2007
Posted as an Associate Legal Officer in the Criminal Division to assist international prosecutors with investigations and trial preparations in serious crimes cases.
The AIRE (Advice on Individual Rights in Europe) Centre 2007
Lucinda worked with the AIRE Centre on several cases pending before the European Court of Human Rights.
The European Court of Human Rights 2007
Engaged by the European Court of Human Rights to advise on committee and chamber cases brought before the Court against the United Kingdom.
The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Special Department for War Crimes 2006
Engaged by the Prosecution Support Section of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Special Department of War Crimes to work with International Prosecutors on investigations, drafting, trial strategy, and roadmaps for examining and cross-examining witnesses at trial.
Mohisin Khan v Royal Air Force Summary Appeal Court,
High Court [2004] EWCH 2230 (Admin)
Appeal from the RAF summary appeal court to the Divisional Court. The Appellant, a reservist, was a Muslim conscientious objector to the Iraq war. The High Court held that Article 9(1) of the ECHR was not engaged. Led by Nicholas Blake QC (now Blake J).
The Prosecutor v Radislav Krstic
The UN International Criminal Tribunal of the Former Yugoslavia 2003
Engaged as part of the legal team to assist the President of the Appeals Chamber with the landmark Appeal of Radislav Krstic, the first person to have been convicted of genocide by the UN ICTY. A lesser charge of aiding and abetting genocide was upheld on Appeal. Lucinda drafted sections of the Bench memorandum for the Appeals Chamber on a variety of legal and evidential issues relating to genocide and crimes against humanity.
Awards
- Georg Schwarzenberger Prize for outstanding performance in Public International Law in the University of London.
- Higgins/Lauterpacht Prize for best performance in Public International Law at LSE.
- Blackstone Chambers prize for best dissertation in Public International Law at LSE.
Memberships
- Chatham House
- Human Rights Lawyers Association
- The Bar Human Rights Committee
- The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple
Publications
- Dannatt, L. “Customary International Law” Westlaw Insight, 2014
- Young, Summers and Corker, Abuse of Process in Criminal Proceedings, Bloomsbury Professional, 4th ed., 2014, Procedural Considerations chapter update.
Other interests & activities
- Co-founder of Street Child in 2008 – A Sierra Leone and Liberia focused child rights agency with a turnover of £4m+.