Garden Court North stands in solidarity with Rajiv Menon KC as he faces prosecution for contempt of court
8 May 2026
Rajiv Menon KC (pictured). Credit: Garden Court Chambers.
Garden Court North members express solidarity with Rajiv Menon KC, a highly respected silk and member of Garden Court Chambers, who faces prosecution for contempt of court.
The alleged contempt concerns the closing speech that Rajiv 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.
Rajiv is independently represented by solicitors and leading counsel who have made powerful arguments about the jurisdictional legality and procedural propriety of the contempt proceedings being brought against Rajiv. Judgment is currently awaited from the Court of Appeal (Civil Division).
Full statement
We stand in solidarity with Rajiv Menon KC, a member of our sister chambers Garden Court, who is being prosecuted for contempt of court following his closing speech in a high-profile and politically sensitive criminal trial.
Pursuing such proceedings against a barrister arising from their conduct of a jury trial represents a deeply troubling development for the integrity of the justice system.
This prosecution should be unequivocally condemned as a grave attack on the longstanding principle that barristers must be able to represent their clients fearlessly, independently, and without intimidation. The right to robust advocacy – particularly in criminal trials – lies at the heart of the adversarial system. Defence counsel are not mere mouthpieces for the court; they are duty-bound to advance their client’s case with courage, including testing the boundaries of legal argument where necessary.
The suggestion that a barrister may face such personal sanction for the content of a closing speech – an unprecedented step in our experience – risks creating a chilling effect across the legal profession.
If advocates must constantly fear punitive action for advancing arguments, especially in politically sensitive or high-profile cases, the result will be self-censorship, weakened defence representation, and ultimately a diminished right to a fair trial.
This is not simply about one case. It raises fundamental questions about whether the courts will continue to tolerate independent advocacy, or whether defence lawyers will be deterred from fully representing their clients in contentious matters. Any move that undermines that independence threatens the balance of justice itself.
The proper functioning of the legal system depends on barristers being able to act without fear or favour. That principle must be defended – firmly and without compromise.
This statement is made on behalf of the Garden Court North crime team and signed and supported by the following members of Garden Court North:
- Ciara Bartlam
- Rosalind Burgin
- Bethany Currie
- Mira Hammad
- Tasaddat Hussein
- Pragnya Iovine (Pupil)
- Vijay Jagadesham
- Mikhil Karnik
- Lucy Mair
- Ben McCormack
- Alexander McColl
- Elizabeth Mottershaw
- Misha Nayak-Oliver
- Helen Peden
- Avril Rushe
- Lyndsey Sambrooks-Wright
- Iqra Shahid (Pupil)
- Kerry Smith
- Kate Stone
- Alexa Thompson
- Camille Warren
- Anna Watterson
- Pete Weatherby KC
- Christian Weaver
Additional media
Garden Court Chambers – Statement: Rajiv Menon KC
The Guardian – Barrister in Palestine Action trial facing contempt of court proceedings
Free the Filton 24 – The Filton Trial: Lead defence barrister’s closing speech
Declassified UK – Michael Mansfield ‘extremely concerned’ by case against Palestine Action lawyer
For further information, please contact Alex Blair, Communications Manager at Garden Court North Chambers: ablair@gcnchambers.co.uk
