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Nikila is a specialist junior in public international law and media law.

Nikila accepts instructions in public international law and media and information law. 

Nikila advises and acts for States, individuals, businesses, and NGOs in a wide range of cases. She has recently acted in cases concerning treaty obligations, Statehood and State succession, the law of international organisations, and international humanitarian law. She is a specialist in international criminal law. Nikila has been appointed to the UK Attorney-General’s Public International Law C Panel of Junior Counsel.

Nikila’s domestic practice spans all aspects of media and information law, including defamation, privacy, breach of confidence, data protection and harassment. She has a particular interest in open justice and reporting restrictions. She provides pre-publication advice to both print and broadcast media, including for Politico, De Smog, Channel 5, and as a duty lawyer for The Times. 

Nikila is also instructed in cases at the intersection of her practice areas, acting for journalists and others detained in foreign jurisdictions as part of Doughty Street’s international media team. She is experienced in advocacy before UN human rights mechanisms.

Nikila qualified as a solicitor in Australia. Before joining the Bar, she was an Associate Lecturer at the University of Sydney. 

INTERNATIONAL LAW

Nikila specialises in international law, including public international law, international human rights law, and international criminal law. Before joining the Bar, Nikila was part of trial teams at the International Criminal Court (Prosecutor v Ongwen) and at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (Case 002/02, appeal filed by Khieu Samphân).

Nikila’s recent and ongoing work in this area includes:

  • Acting for a claimant State in relation to the application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
  • Acting for a State in relation to a potential preliminary examination before the International Criminal Court.
  • Drafting an expert opinion concerning complementarity in the Rome Statute, led by Megan Hirst.
  • Acting for an NGO in drafting an amicus curiae submission in proceedings before the International Criminal Court, led by Megan Hirst.
  • Acting for an NGO in drafting an Article 15 communication to the International Criminal Court Office of the Prosecutor concerning the crime against humanity of persecution, led by Megan Hirst.
  • Advising an NGO in relation to foreign domestic proceedings concerning the commission of international crimes in a third State.
  • Advising an NGO on the crimes against humanity of apartheid, other inhumane acts and persecution.

Nikila is also experienced in advocacy before UN Special Procedures (most frequently, the UN Special Rapporteur for Torture, UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention). Recent work includes:

  • Representing Peter and Barbie Reynolds, two British citizens detained in Afghanistan (led by Tatyana Eatwell and Kate Gibson)
  • Representing Ryan Corbett, detained in Afghanistan (led by Kate Gibson)
  • Acting as a member of the international legal team for Toomaj Salehi (led by Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, Jonathan Price KC and Sam Jacobs)
  • Representing Bangladeshi journalists Farzana Rupa and Shakhil Ahmed, detained in an overseas prison (led by Jonathan Price KC)
  • Filing a submission with the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry regarding the killing of a Lebanese journalist, Issam Abdallah (led by Tatyana Eatwell and Jennifer Robinson)
MEDIA LAW

Nikila has a diverse practice in media and information law. She has  providing pre-publication advice, including for The Times, Politico, and De Smog. Together with Jonathan Price KC and Clare Wisson, she is currently an editor of Atkins vol. 16 on Defamation.

Nikila’s recent cases include:

  • Guerrilla Marketing v NGM Advertising – acting unled in a claim for libel, malicious falsehood, unlawful interference with the Claimant’s economic interests and procuring a breach of contract. Reported judgment on meaning: [2026] EWHC 1085 (KB).
  • Ali v Lancashire Police – junior counsel (led by Beth Grossman) for the Claimant in defamation proceedings brought against Lancashire Police. The claim settled with a substantial damages payment for the Claimant.
  • Rasheed v Buckinghamshire County Council – counsel for the Claimant in a data protection claim heard in the County Court, judgment obtained for the Claimant following trial. Currently acting in related proceedings against Thames Valley Police.
  • R v Hussain – counsel for the BBC in an application to vary a postponement order made in the context of linked criminal trials.

Nikila has acted for complainants and respondents in Ofcom and IPSO cases arising from alleged breaches of the codes of practice.

Nikila completed a specialist media seat during pupillage under the supervision of Claire Overman. She gained exposure to a range of matters including defamation, open justice, and contempt cases and is building a broad practice in media and information law.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA DEFENCE

Nikila also works as a junior on international media cases, including through advocacy before UN Special Procedures on behalf of journalists. Recent work includes:

  • Acting as a member of the international legal team for Toomaj Salehi (led by Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, Jonathan Price KC and Sam Jacobs)
  • Filing a submission with the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry regarding the killing of a Lebanese journalist, Issam Abdallah (led by Tatyana Eatwell and Jennifer Robinson)
  • Representing Bangladeshi journalists Farzana Rupa and Shakhil Ahmed, detained in an overseas prison (led by Jonathan Price KC)