Charlotte Powell

Year of Call: 2005

Charlotte Powell specialises in extradition law and human rights, and has appeared in eight High Court appeal cases in the last year. Charlotte has successfully applied for a point of law of general public importance to be certified in Zakowski v The Regional Court in Szczecin, Poland [2008] EWHC 1389 (Admin); the outcome of a petition to the House of Lords is pending.

During an eight-month secondment to the Special Crime Division of the CPS as in-house counsel, Charlotte advised and represented foreign judicial authorities and governments at all stages of contested extradition proceedings. Cases included allegations and convictions for murder, terrorist offences, large-scale fraud and violent crime, while contested hearings have involved arguments on jurisdiction and the validity of European Arrest Warrants, as well as the compatibility of extradition with the Human Rights Act 1998. Charlotte was responsible for advising on and drafting requests for the extradition of persons from foreign States, including Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, New Zealand, South Africa, Mexico and European Arrest Warrant territories, on behalf of the UK Government. She is regularly instructed by the defence and the CPS at contested extradition hearings at first instance and in appeal proceedings in the High Court.

Charlotte has comprehensive experience in trial advocacy in the Crown Court (including defending charges of sexual assualt, burglary and grievous bodily harm) where she advises on all criminal matters.

Charlotte is a dual-qualified English Barrister and US Attorney-At-Law, with a Maîtrise in French Law (Pantheon-Sorbonne)

Charlotte has recently been appointed to the Bar Council remuneration committee.

Extradition Lawyers' Association

Charlotte is the Founding Member and Chairman of the Extradition Lawyers' Association (www.extradition-lawyers.com). The Association is a growing international forum, with members in the UK and abroad, providing information and services to extradition lawyers. The Annual Conference will be held on 30th September 2008 at Inner Temple, London.

Publications and acknowledgements

• Acknowledged in the European Criminal Bar Association publication "The EAW in Practice" by Professor Nash (Head of Department of Postgraduate Legal Studies, University of Westminster) and Adam Lazowski (Senior lecturer in Law, University of Westminster) (publication pending).
• Designer of "The Practical Guide to First Apperances Workshop" (2 CPD), delivered on 4th August 2008 and monthly thereafter.
  
• Author of paper entitled “Extradition Act 2003: Principles and Procedures”. Speech delivered in July 2007 at the City of Westminster Magistrate Court Lecture Theatre for the benefit of solicitors and members of the Bar seeking to gain a general understanding of the key stages in initial and extradition hearings.
• Acknowledged in “International Criminal Law: Practice and Procedure” (2nd edition) co-authored by Clive Nicholls QC, Clare Montgomery QC and Julian B. Knowles (2007, Sweet and Maxwell Publication, p.vii).
• Co-author with James Lewis QC of a Criminal Bar Association response to the draft framework decision on the taking into account of previous convictions from Member States in domestic proceedings (November 2005).
• Acknowledged in “European Arrest Warrant, A solution ahead of its time?” by Leaf M. and Alegre S. (2003, Justice Publication, p. 5).