Garden Court North hosts event in support of Rajiv Menon KC amid unprecedented prosecution
24 July 2026
Scores of prominent human rights lawyers spoke in support of Rajiv Menon KC (pictured) during the event on 22 July 2026. Credit: Garden Court Chambers.
On Wednesday (22 July 2026), Garden Court North hosted the ‘Descent Into Authoritarianism? Undermining the Role of Defence Lawyers: The Rajiv Menon KC Case’ event alongside Garden Court Chambers, One Pump Court and Nexus Chambers.
Rajiv Menon KC faces prosecution for allegedly committing contempt of court during the closing speech that he delivered to a jury at the Woolwich Crown Court in January 2026, when he was defending pro-Palestine activists charged with criminal damage during direct action taken at a factory in Filton, Bristol, belonging to Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest arms manufacturer.
The full video of the event is available below.
No lawyer in British legal history has ever been prosecuted for contempt for the contents of a closing speech. This case risks creating a chilling effect, especially in politically sensitive or high-profile cases, which will result in self-censorship, weakened defence representation, and a diminished right to a fair trial.
More than 800 attendees tuned in to listen to luminaries from across the human rights world, chaired by Garden Court North’s Pete Weatherby KC. These included Baroness Shami Chakrabarti, Lord John Hendy KC, Riel Karmy-Jones KC (Chair of the Criminal Bar Association), Gareth Peirce, Michael Mansfield KC, Akiko Hart (Director of Liberty (National Council for Civil Liberties), Raju Bhatt, Marcia Willis Stewart KC, Keir Monteith KC, Jane Deighton, Henry Blaxland KC, Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC, Deborah Coles (INQUEST), Matt Foot (APPEAL (Centre for Criminal Appeals), Asad Rehman (Friends of the Earth) and Sarah-Jane Ewart. There were also messages of support from Baroness Helena Kennedy KC, Ed Fitzgerald KC and Kirsty Brimelow KC (Chair of the Bar Council).
The event was sponsored by Bindmans LLP, Bhatt Murphy, Birnberg Peirce Solicitors, Deighton Pierce Glynn Ltd, ITN Solicitors, Kellys Solicitors, Hodge Jones & Allen and Robert Lizar Solicitors.
Additional media
The Guardian – Palestine Action barrister’s prosecution criticised as ‘chilling’
Middle East Eye – Prosecution of Palestine Action barrister has left lawyers ‘uncertain and scared’
Garden Court North Chambers – Descent into Authoritarianism? Undermining the Role of Defence Lawyers: The Rajiv Menon KC Case
Garden Court North Chambers – Garden Court North expresses continued solidarity with Rajiv Menon KC
For further information, please contact Alex Blair, Communications Manager at Garden Court North Chambers: ablair@gcnchambers.co.uk
