Catriona Murdoch

International

Catriona is currently appointed to the defence of Stanišić for his re-trial, led by Wayne Jordash QC and Iain Edwards. Catriona also acts for Alfred Musema before the MICT in his review proceedings following his life sentence imposed by the ICTR; she is led by Steven Kay QC and Gillian Higgins.

Catriona is a Senior Legal Consultant for Global Rights Compliance researching and drafting issues relating to international humanitarian law in Ukraine and leading the Yemen Accountability Project which focuses on the niche crime of starvation. Global Rights Compliance is led by Wayne Jordash QC and Scott Martin.

For most of 2013 Catriona was based in Nairobi and Arusha working on the appeal of The Prosecutor v Nteziryayo (ITCR-98-42-A), returning for the oral submissions in April 2015. The Appeals Chamber ordered a substantial reduction to sentence resulting in Nteziryayo’s release in 2016, 18 years after his initial arrest.

Catriona was previously based in The Hague whilst she worked on the defence trial of The Prosecutor v Prlic et al (IT-04-74) at the ICTY. She also assisted lead counsel Karim Khan on several of his other cases at the ICC and ICTY, including the contempt case against Hartmann (IT-02-54-r77.5). Following that she worked in Rwanda at a Legal Advice Clinic affiliated with the African Justice Foundation, advising clients on issues of HIV/AID’s discrimination, property rights and sexual offences.

Crime

Domestically Catriona is frequently instructed in magistrates’ trials (private and legally aided), crown court mentions, sentences, and bail applications, for the defence and prosecution.

Selected Cases

Defence: International

• The Prosecutor v Stanišić & Simatović (MICT-15-96) - present
• The Prosecutor v Musema (MICT-12-15) - present
• The Prosecutor v Nteziryayo (ITCR-98-42-A) - appeal (2013-2015) (released)
• The Prosecutor v Prlić et al (IT-04-74 - trial 2010
• The Prosecutor v Hartmann (IT-02-54-r77.5) - contempt trial 2010

Defence: Youth Court

• P v H (2012): Assault PC and possession of an offensive weapon trial. Acquitted after trial of all charges.
• P v G (2011): Three day GBH double-handed trial. Defendant accused of stabbing the complainant in the neck with a bottle.
• P v C (2011): Assault PC. In light of the defence’s challenge to, and media interest in the legality of the arrest, all charges dropped following the first appearance. See Telegraph Article. Girl, 14, arrested by four police for 'assaulting' them.

Defence: Driving Offences

• P v S (2012): Special Reasons trial - unfit through prescription drugs. Three medical experts.
• P v S (2011): Careless driving and racially aggravated s.5 Public Order Offence. Acquitted of all charges.
• P v N (2011): Special Reasons trial - laced drinks. Special Reasons accepted in full, no disqualification.

Crown Court

• R v T (2011): Supply of Class A and Class B - suspended sentence and POCA confiscation order.

Private Prosecution

• Buckinghamshire County Council v K (2012): Unfair Trading Regulations (Crown Court).
• Eastbourne Borough Council v K (2012): Benefit Fraud sentence (Crown Court).
• Child Support Agency v L (2011): Liability Agreed.
• Crawley Borough Council v S (2011): Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order granted, restaurant closed.  Acted for the prosecution.

Human Rights

Catriona has a flourishing civil liberties, she is currently instructed in ECHR claims, actions against the police, prisons, local authorities and the NHS. Catriona offers expertise in complex mental-health related issues and is developing a niche practice in the emerging field of misuse of private information claims.

Public Inquiries & Inquests

For eighteen months Catriona was legal assistant to HHJ Michael Topolski QC on The Baha Mousa Inquiry, representing Corporal Payne, the first British soldier to be convicted of a war crime. She assisted in drafting submissions to the Chairman on a range of legal and military matters including the appropriate standard of proof in Public Inquiries.

Catriona is currently instructed in a lengthy Article 2 Inquest, dealing with the death of a vulnerable young man following his investigation and arrest by the police. Catriona represented the family at a two-day hospital death inquest with complex medical and human rights issues.

Selected Cases

Coroners Courts

• Re: Parker (2018)
• Re: O'Connor (2017)
• Re: Stankey (2012)