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Nikila practices in international law and media and information law. She has significant experience in international criminal law and international human rights.

Nikila is developing a practice focussed on media law and international law. 

Nikila’s international law practice encompasses international human rights law and international criminal law. She advises and acts for clients in cases before domestic and international courts, as well as in cases involving UN Human Rights Council Special Procedures. 

During pupillage, Nikila completed a specialist media seat supervised by Claire Overman. She gained exposure to a range of areas in media and information law, including defamation, open justice, and contempt. 

She has appeared unled in the Court of Appeal, Crown Court and Coroners’ Courts.

Nikila qualified as a solicitor in Australia in 2015 and practised in criminal law. Before joining the Bar, she was an Associate Lecturer at the University of Sydney and was on the editorial board of the Yale Journal of International Law. 

INTERNATIONAL LAW

Nikila specialises in international law, including public international law, international human rights law, and international criminal law. 

Nikila’s work in this area includes:

  • Advising a 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.
  • Advising an NGO in relation to foreign domestic proceedings concerning the commission of international crimes in a third State.
  • Advising a State in relation to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
  • 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.
  • Acting for an NGO in drafting an amicus curiae submission in proceedings before the International Criminal Court, led by Megan Hirst.

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).

MEDIA LAW

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. She is working to develop a wide practice in media and information law.

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

  • Acting as a member of the international legal team for Toomaj Salehi, led by Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC.
  • Filing a submission with the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry regarding the killing of a Lebanese journalist, led by Tatyana Eatwell.
INQUESTS

Nikila has represented families in numerous pre-inquest review hearings. She recently represented a family in a five-day inquest concerning a death in the community.

ACTIONS AGAINST THE POLICE AND PUBLIC AUTHORITIES

Nikila has experience advising in civil claims against public authorities, including as a pupil supervised by Sam Jacobs. Since starting her practice, she has continued to advise on civil claims against the police.

In Australia, Nikila volunteered as a solicitor at a community legal centre specialising in actions against the police.