Nikila has a diverse practice in media and information law. She has advised on and drafted pre-action correspondence in harassment, open justice, and defamation cases, including cases brought by media organisations and complaints before regulators. She is on The Times rota and has experience providing pre-publication advice, including under significant time pressure. 

Together with Jonathan Price KC and Clare Wisson, she is currently an editor of Atkins vol. 16 on Defamation.

Nikila’s recent cases in media include:

• Representing a client in a potential defamation claim, led by Beth Grossman.
• Advising and representing a media organisation challenging reporting restrictions before the Crown Court.
• Making representations to IPSO on behalf of a private client concerning behaviour that intruded upon her privacy and violated the IPSO Code.
• Representing a private client in proceedings to obtain a harassment injunction before the County Court
• Advising a private client concerning a potential complaint the Ofcom Code.

Nikila has a particular interest in cases brought under the Data Protection Act. She has pleaded and advised on multiple cases involving data protection claims, and is currently acting in proceedings brought solely under the Data Protection Act 2018 (engaging both Parts 2 and 3). 

Nikila also works on international media defence cases, including through advocacy through domestic bodies and before UN Special Procedures (most frequently, the UN Special Rapporteur for Torture, UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention). Recent work includes:

• Representing Bangladeshi journalists Farzana Rupa and Shakhil Ahmed, detained in an overseas prison
• 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, Issam Abdallah.

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.

Nikila works on all aspects of international law, including public international law, international human rights law, and international criminal law. She advises and represents States, NGOs and others in proceedings brought before international courts. She also accepts instructions in cases before domestic courts in which international law issues arise.

Nikila’s recent and ongoing work before international courts includes:

• Advising a State in relation to proceedings before the International Court of Justice concerning 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 intergovernmental organisation on the availability and application of judicial review mechanisms before international tribunals and courts.
• Acting for a State in potential proceedings before 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 Juan Mendez and Megan Hirst.
• Advising an NGO in relation to foreign domestic proceedings concerning the commission of international crimes in a third State, led by Max du Plessis.
• Representing and advising a State in relation to a potential investigation before the International Criminal Court concerning crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide.
• Acting for an NGO to draft an amicus curiae submission in proceedings before the International Criminal Court, led by Megan Hirst.
• Advising an NGO about the principle of universal jurisdiction and its application to a potential filing before a domestic court.
• Drafting a detailed advice about the principle of complementarity in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Nikila also has expertise in cases involving advocacy before UN Special Procedures and other forms of UN advocacy. Her recent instructions include:

• Drafting a complaint concerning the detention of Ryan Corbett to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, led by Kate Gibson, and with Ryan Fayhee of Akin
• Representing Bangladeshi journalists Farzana Rupa and Shakhil Ahmed, detained in an overseas prison
• 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, Issam Abdallah, led by Tatyana Eatwell

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 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.

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.