Summary

Amelia practises in extradition, public law, crime and education. She is particularly interested in the public law aspects of these areas and in cases involving the Human Rights Act 1998.

In 2007/08 Amelia completed a seven month secondment to the Special Crime Division of the Crown Prosecution Service. As in-house extradition counsel she advised and represented requesting judicial authorities and governments in extradition proceedings both at first instance hearings and extradition appeals in the High Court. These cases included those involving trafficking, abduction, rape, violent crime and all types of dishonesty offences. Contested hearings involved arguments on jurisdiction, the validity of European Arrest Warrants, and the compatibility of extradition with the Human Rights Act 1998. She is regularly instructed both in prosecution and defence extradition work.

Amelia is developing experience in education law including special educational needs, exclusion, admission, and discrimination. She has acted in a number of SENDIST (Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal) cases and related judicial review proceedings.

Amelia has also been instructed in a number of prison adjudication hearings and is trained in the preparation and conduct of parole board matters and oral hearings.

Amelia is also instructed on an ongoing basis by the Women’s Initiative for Gender Justice, international women’s human rights organization based in The Hague which works in relation to the ongoing prosecution of cases at the International Criminal Court.

Prior to coming to the bar Amelia worked in London and Europe in the field of human rights and international development. The organizations included the Spanish Red Cross, The European Commission Humanitarian Office, The Sudan Organisation Against Torture, Womankind Worldwide and the International Criminal Court (ICC). The work involved developing programmes to challenge the impunity of state sanctioned torture in Sudan, establishing a civil rights programme in Afghanistan and work to develop the investigative approach of the ICC.

Notable Cases

Kolanowski v Poland

Conduct described in a European arrest warrant (‘EAW’) constituted an extradition offence and the fact that the individual concerned suffered from a heart condition was insufficient in the circumstances to make his extradition oppressive.

Gabriel v Spain

An EAW was sufficiently particularized.

Hewitt & Woodward v Spain 

EAWS in respect of H and W were sufficiently specified. The issues raised as to one of the appellant’s fitness to plead were not sufficient to prevent extradition and could be dealt with by the trial court.

Trenk v District Court in Plzen Misto [2009] EWHC 1132 (Admin)

It was insufficiently clear whether the EAW was issued with a view to prosecution or investigation.

Petr Chyba & Ludvig Sivak v Czech Republic [2008] EWHC 3292 (Admin)

There was no right of appeal under the Extradition Act 2003 against a decision of a magistrates' court to give its consent under s.55(6) of the Act to a request from a requesting state that an extraditee serve a sentence of imprisonment imposed upon him in respect of a conviction that did not form the basis of his original extradition. Judicial Review would have been the appropriate remedy.

R (on the application of FAISALTEX LTD & 6 ORS) (Claimants) v (1) PRESTON CROWN COURT (First defendant) (2) CHIEF CONSTABLE OF LANCASHIRE (Second defendant)(3) REVENUE & CUSTOMS (Interested party) (2008) [2008] EWHC 2832 (Admin)

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Professional Associations

Constitutional and Administrative Law Bar Association,

Bar Pro Bono Committee

Bar Human Rights Committee.

Advocates for International Development (A4ID)

She is a trained volunteer representative for IPSEA , the Independent Panel for Special Education Advice More >

Amelia is a member of the Bar Council Equality and Diversity Committee.

She is also a trustee for an NGO promoting the rights of those widowed through conflict in conflict affected countries.

Education and Qualifications

1994 – 1997: Politics and Philosophy (Joint Hons) 1st

1997 – 1998: M.A in Critical Theory

2003 – 2005: Graduate Diploma in Law

2005 – 2006: Bar Vocational Course

2006: Called to the bar (Inner Temple)