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Jen specialises in media law, public law, and international law.

What the directories say

"She brings imagination to black letter law and figures out creative mechanisms for her clients. She is incredibly astute and you benefit from her intimacy with cases and civil society actions." - Chambers and Partners 2023

"Jennifer is a powerful advocate who harnesses the full power of the law for her clients. Not afraid to use the media and communications to amplify her cause, she is supremely gifted and a superstar in the making." - Legal 500 2023

"Jennifer Robinson continually impresses me not only with the breadth and depth of her knowledge and skill, but her ability to see past where the law is today and predict its future trajectory. She is also diligent and organised, producing high-quality work product in a timely manner." - Chambers and Partners 2022

"Strong knowledge of the law, clear and succinct ways of communicating and an ability to make complex law and processes understandable to someone without a law degree. Genuine commitment to human rights and a sincerity of compassion for her clients." - Legal 500 2022

"She is steeped in international human rights work, very creative and possessed of considerable expertise." - Chambers and Partners 2021

“A highly respected practitioner with an international profile, she has experience in cross-jurisdictional human rights challenges. She is particularly noted for her work on free speech and the protection of journalists as well as for her UN advocacy.” - Chambers and Partners 2021

"Calm and very committed, an accomplished lawyer and extremely well connected on the international advocacy circuit." - Legal 500 2021

"A brilliant human rights lawyer, who is willing to take on the most difficult cases, clever in her tactics and prepared to stay with cases for years." - Legal 500 2021

Overview

Jen has been instructed in domestic and international cases involving media law, public law and international law. She advises media organisations, journalists, whistle-blowers and high-profile individuals on all aspects of media law and reputation management. She has also been instructed in human rights related judicial review cases and has given expert evidence in Parliament and at the United Nations.

Jen advises individual and state clients on a wide range of international law issues, has appeared before the International Court of Justice and regularly engages with UN Special Mechanisms. Many of her cases and clients are high-profile and involve novel cross-jurisdictional and comparative law issues.

Jen can be instructed directly in suitable cases under the Bar’s Direct Access scheme and previously practised as a solicitor.

Media, Privacy and Information Law

Jen’s practice encompasses the full range of information and publication law issues, including privacy, defamation, harassment, reporting restrictions, freedom of information, data protection and contempt of court.

She also advises and represents media clients internationally, such as BBC Persian (subjected to asset freeze by Iran because of the journalistic work) and the editor of GeoTV in Pakistan (imprisoned on false charges).  

Her international advisory work includes engaging with the UN, in particular on issues associated journalist safety, unlawful detention and targeting. She recently advised the UN Special Rapporteur in relation to the investigation into the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, and is currently advising the International Federation of Journalists, Julian Assange and WikiLeaks in relation to US extradition proceedings, and the family of Daphne Caruana Galizia in relation to the investigation of her assassination in Malta.

Recent cases:

  • Depp v NGN and Wootton (advising Amber Heard)

  • USA v Julian Assange (advising Julian Assange and WikiLeaks)

  • Feyziyev v Journalism Development Network and Radu [2019] EWHC 957 (QB)

  • Google Inc v Commision nationale de l’informatique et des libertés (CNIL), Case C-507/17, Judgment of 24 September 2019 (European Court of Justice)

  • Maurizi v Crown Prosecution Service [2019] UKUT 262 (AAC)

  • Maurizi v Metropolitan Police Service Maurizi v ICO and Metropolitan Police Service EA/2018/0071

  • BBC World Service v Iran (2018-2020) (UN Special Mechanisms)

  • Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman (Geo TV) v Pakistan (2020) (UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention)

  • Victor Mambor v Indonesia (2019) (UN Special Mechanisms)

Earlier cases from her practice as a solicitor:

  • John Alexis Mardas v New York Times [2008] EWHC 3135 [QB]

  • Mohammed Jabar and Others v HM Treasury [2010] UK SC 1

  • United States v Manning (2011)

  • Sanoma Uitgevers B.V. v the Netherlands, European Court of Human Rights (Grand Chamber), 2010

  • Thesing and Bloomberg Finance v European Central Bank, European Court of Justice, Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber), 2012

  • Browning v Information Commissioner & Department for Business, Innovation & Skills

  • Don Van Natta v Information Commissioner and Metropolitan Police Service

  • Mosley v United Kingdom [2011] 53 E.H.R.R. 30

  • Mohamed, R (on the application of) v Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs (No 2) [2010] EWCA Civ 158

  • General Suharto v Time Magazine (2008), Jakarta Supreme Court: co-authored amicus brief for international interveners

International Law

Jen advises individuals, states and non-governmental organisations on all aspects of international law and United Nations engagement and advocacy. She has appeared before the International Court of Justice, conducted advocacy at the UN Human Rights Council and regularly engages with the UN Special Mechanisms. She has also acted in cases before regional courts, including the European Court of Human Rights, the European Court of Justice, and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

She has also provided expert advice to support UN Human Rights Council mandate holders, most recently for Agnes Callamard, UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial killings, on international law and diplomatic immunity for her investigation into the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.

Recent cases include:

  • Legal consequences of the separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965 (Request for Advisory Opinion), International Court of Justice

  • Advisory Opinion on Asylum submitted by the Republic of Ecuador before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, Advisory Opinion OC-25/18, 30 May 2018

  • Amal Fathy v Egypt (UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention)

  • Hazem Hamouda v Egypt (UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention)

  • Lazareva v Kuwait (UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention)

  • Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman v Pakistan (UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention)

  • Mandabayan and Others v Republic of Indonesia (UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention)

  • Yeimo and West Papuan National Committee v Republic of Indonesia (UN Special Procedure Appeals)

  • BBC World Service v Iran (UN Special Procedure Appeals)

  • Lula v Brazil (UN Human Rights Committee)

Jen continues to advise the United Liberation Movement for West Papua on international law issues, including on their claim for self-determination and international human rights claims.

Public Law

Jen has acted in judicial review proceedings before the Court of Appeal and High Court, including challenges to government policies related to climate change, fracking and the treatment of refugees.

Cases include:

  • Stephenson v Secretary of State for Housing and Communities and Local Government [2019] EWHC 519 (Admin)

  • R (Help Refugees) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2018] EWCA Civ 2098

Protest Law

Jen advises social movements, NGOs and activists on protest rights. She acted in the seminal domestic case challenging anti-protest injunctions and acts in international cases engaging UN Special Mechanisms.

Cases Include:

  • Boyd and Anor v Ineos Upstream Ltd [2019] EWCA Civ 515

  • Ineos Upstream Ltd v Persons Unknown [2017] EWHC 2945 (Ch)

  • Mandabayan and Others v Republic of Indonesia (2020) (UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention)

  • Yeimo and West Papuan National Committee v Republic of Indonesia (2019) (UN Special Rapporteur Appeal)