Steven Powles

s.powles@doughtystreet.co.uk

Year of Call

1997
Steven Powles
Profile

Steven Powles is a specialist criminal lawyer with a wealth of experience in international crime and extradition. Steven’s domestic practice is focused on politically motivated crime and criminal appeals.

 

Victim Representation

Steven has represented victims of both international and domestic crime. He regularly advises NGO’s and victims’ groups on possible prosecution of those responsible and has acted in securing financial compensation for victims of crime.

Al-Sweady Inquiry – currently instructed on behalf of group of former Iraqi detainees and families of deceased at Public Inquiry into alleged misconduct and breach of international law by British armed forces.

Ministry of Justice v Scott [2009] EWCA Civ 1215 compensation secured for victim of assault by Prison Officers and malicious prosecution based on false evidence provided by state employees.

RK v Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority – represented victim of vicious stabbing in appeal against decision to refuse compensation. Victim received award in excess of £100,000.

 

Media  

Over 50 TV and radio appearances: CNN, BBC World, BBC News 24, Sky News, ITN news, Channel 4 News, The World Today. Commenting mainly on proceedings against Slobodan Milosevic, Saddam Hussein and Charles Taylor.
Published in The Guardian - Charles Taylor trial (2012) and The Times - Saddam Hussein proceedings (2004), International Criminal Court (2002), Fair Trials in Kosovo (2000).

 

Lecturing and training 
  • Lectured team of OSCE monitors on elements of international crimes (Sarajevo, Bosnia).
  • Lectured members of British armed forces on laws of war and at NATO lawyers' conference (Moenchengladbach, Germany).
  • Lectured on human rights law for European Roma Rights Centre (Romania) and Interights (Azerbaijan).
  • Organised and provided legal and advocacy training to members of Sierra Leone bar to appear at Special Court for Sierra Leone (Freetown, Sierra Leone).
  • Regularly lecture for NGO's (Amnesty International, Redress, No Peace Without Justice) and universities on human rights and international law.

International Crime

Steven has conducted cases in almost all international criminal tribunals. He is co-author of one of the leading practitioner texts ‘International Criminal Practice’ OUP, and has previously worked as legal assistant to an international criminal judge at the ICTY.

  • Prosecutor v Henry Kosgey (ICC-01/09-01/11) – Successful defence of former Kenyan Minister of Industrialization, accused of Crimes against humanity before the ICC for his alleged role in election violence in Kenya in 2007.
  • Prosecutor v Zuhdija Tabakovic Represented former witness charged with Contempt of the ICTY for agreeing to sign a false witness statement and give false evidence in support of the Milan Lukic defence. Lukic was himself convicted and sentenced by the ICTY to life imprisonment for war crimes committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
  • Prosecutor v Prlic and others (IT-04-74) - Represented UN international organisation during testimony of former staff member in closed session proceedings at International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).
  • Prosecutor v Moinina Fofana (SCSL-2004-14-T) - Defended ex-member of Civil Defence Forces in proceedings at Special Court for Sierra Leone.
  • Prosecutor v Isak Musliu (IT-03-66) - Defended ex-member of Kosovo Liberation Army accused of War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity (ICTY).
  • Prosecutor v Morris Kallon - Defended ex-member of Revolutionary United Front accused of War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity at Special Court for Sierra Leone: Argued before Appeals Chamber legality of establishment of Special Court [2004] 16 BHRC 227 and status of amnesty granted under international law [2004] 16 BHRC 252.
  • Prosecutor v Brdjanin (IT-99-36-AR73.9) - Represented Washington Post reporter Jonathan Randal at ICTY in establishing qualified privilege for war correspondents.

International 

  • Consultant in Legal Advisory Section to UN International Independent Investigation Commission investigating assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri (Beirut, Lebanon) (July-December 2008)
  • Legal Advisor to delegation of Trinidad and Tobago during negotiations on International Criminal Court at United Nations (New York) and Assembly of States Parties (The Hague). (1999 to 2005)
  • Assistant to First Judges' Plenary of Special Court for Sierra Leone. Advised on drafting of Special Court's 'Rules of Procedure and Evidence'. (February 2003)
  • Legal Advisor to delegation of Thailand during Sixth Committee consultations on inter alia draft 'Comprehensive Convention on Terrorism' at United Nations (New York). (September to November 2001)
  • Associate Legal Officer to Judge Liu Daqun. International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (The Hague, Holland) (July 2000 to September 2001)
  • Legal Analyst to International Crisis Group investigating war crimes in Kosovo (August to October 1999). Returned to Kosovo with Bar Human Rights Committee delegation to investigate fair trial rights for war crimes suspects in domestic criminal proceedings. (February 2000)
  • Legal advisor to Jamaica Council for Human Rights (Kingston, Jamaica). Prepared appeals for death row inmates to Privy Council and International Human Rights Tribunals. (July to September 1996)

Criminal Appeals

Steven has been instructed in complex cases before the Court of Appeal (including advice work on applications to the CCRC) and European Court of Human Rights. He is co-author of May on Criminal Evidence.

  • Dedvukaj and Dedvukaj v Montenegro (ECHR) – representing two US nationals prosecuted for alleged coup attempt in Montenegro in 2005. Alleged breach of Articles 3, 5, and 6 resulting in unfair trial and miscarriage of justice.
  • Stephen Gough v United Kingdom (ECHR) – representing ‘the Naked Rambler’ in asserting violation of Article 10 for repeated prosecution and imprisonment for ongoing public nudity.
  • R v Bahmanzadeh – CCRC referral on grounds of fresh evidence following conviction of night club owner for allowing premises to be used to supply drugs.
  • R v Reeves – conviction for murder quashed following fresh psychiatric evidence relating to false confessions.

Terrorism

  • R v McCartney and others – Defended former IRA member accused of conspiracy to blackmail (January 2010)
  • R v S and A [2008] EWCA Crim 2177 – case arising out of alleged conspiracy to breach a Control Order, possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism (sec. 58 Terrorism Act 2000) and first prosecution under section 53 of Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 for failure to disclose encryption key code.
  • R v Ul Haq and others [2008] EWCA Crim 2910 – Defended in terrorist case arising out of international conspiracy to cause explosions in both UK and USA.

Protest Cases

  • R v Kirtley and others – Defended animal rights protestor accused of conspiracy to interfere with contractual relations as to harm an animal research organization [2010]
  • R v Tadman and others - Peace activists charged with conspiracy to cause criminal damage after causing £180,000 of damage to an arms factory in Brighton. Defence was one of legal justification on the basis that they were seeking to protect civilian life and property during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza in 2009

Extradition

  • PH and HH v Italy (Supreme Court), [2012] UKSC 25 (on appeal from [2011] EWHC 1145 (Admin)) Extradition to Italy - Article 8 ECHR and the rights of young children in light of ZH (Tanzania).
  • La Torre v Italy [2007] EWHC 1370 (Admin) – Extradition to Italy of an alleged member of a Mafia/Camorra association.
  • King’s Prosecutor Brussels v Cando Armas [2005] UKHL 67 – First case under Extradition Act 2003 to proceed to House of Lords.
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