Catriona Murdoch discusses ‘Accountability for the starvation of civilians’ at International Law Week, New York - Oct 2019
Catriona Murdoch joined Chambers in 2011 following the successful completion of a mixed law-pupillage.
Catriona specialises in human rights and criminal law both domestically and internationally. She is based in The Hague appointed to the defence team of Jovica Stanišić and Alfred Musema before the UN Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT). Catriona is currently instructed in a range of civil ECHR claims and an Article 2 Inquest. She continues to accept instructions in the UK in all practice areas.
In February 2018 Catriona formed part of a panel of experts on the law of starvation and conflict and food insecurity issues in The Hague. Catriona has given legal seminars in the UK and was appointed in 2017 to the Panel of Consultants and Experts at the International Nuremberg principles Academy. In 2016 she delivered training on behalf of the Association of Defence Counsel at the UN ICTY on drafting before the international tribunals.
In her spare time, Catriona enjoys watching and playing rugby, travelling, reading and spending time with her family.
Catriona is recommended as a leading junior by Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500.
InternationalInternational
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)
Law Pod UK Ep 87: Catching cross-border criminals - Jul 2019
Rosalind English talks to Catriona Murdoch about a new app designed to help professionals in the investigation of international crimes. The Basic Investigative Standards (BIS) app ensures that...
Catriona Murdoch, with Global Rights Compliance, launches Starvation Policy Paper Series - Jun 2019
Global Rights Compliance (GRC) launches the first in its Starvation Policy Paper Series. The full article can be found here. GRC and the World Peace Foundation commissioned case country experts to...
Catriona Murdoch to speak at the UN HQ about starvation as a weapon of war for Protection of Civilians Week - May 2019
On Wednesday 22 May, Catriona Murdoch is speaking at the UN Head Quarters on Enhancing the Implementation of Resolution 2417: Lessons Learned From the Past Year as part of the Protection of...
Law Pod UK Ep. 57: Mass starvation as a weapon of war - Dec 2018
In the latest episode of Law Pod UK, Rosalind English talks to Catriona Murdoch of 1 Crown Office Row about Global Rights Compliance, an organisation offering a unique approach to atrocity crimes...
Catriona Murdoch represents the family at the pre-inquest review of an Article 2 ECHR Inquest - Jul 2018
Catriona Murdoch represents the family at the pre-inquest review at an Article 2 ECHR inquest into death of young man in Derbyshire. The Article 2 Middleton inquiry will sit with a jury for four...
Yemen Group of Eminent Experts Submissions on Starvation - Jun 2018
Global Rights Compliance ('GRC') lodged their submissions on the use of starvation against civilians in Yemen with the Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen ('GEE'), established on 29 September 2017...
‘Human Rights & Reconstruction in Syria’ with Global Rights Compliance - May 2018
Catriona Murdoch, consulting with Global Rights Compliance, is involved in the Chatham House event discussing the innovative and essential business and human rights dimensions to Syria's...
Catriona Murdoch joins the panel discussion and book launch of Alex de Waal’s ‘Mass Starvation’ - Feb 2018
Alex de Waal, world-renowned expert on humanitarian crisis and response, will discuss Mass Starvation: The History and Future of Famine, a book which explores the history of modern famines: their...
Will seven million starving Yemenis ever find justice? - Oct 2017
This article, written by Catriona Murdoch & Wayne Jordash QC, was first published by AL Jazeera in 2017. View the original article here. The control of food importation into Yemen is being used...
Global Rights Compliance lobbies Hong Kong to ban the commercial trade of ivory - Jul 2017
Global Rights Compliance ('GRC'), an international advisory service and litigation support in human rights and international humanitarian law, has successfully contributed to the efforts of a...
First full re-trial in international criminal law history opens today - Jun 2017
The first full re-trial in international criminal law history opens today in the case of The Prosecutor v taniši and Simatovi MICT -15-96. Both accused were acquitted following their first trial...
Catriona Murdoch Appointed Legal Assistant to Stanišic Defence Team - Mar 2017
Catriona Murdoch has been appointed legal assistant to the Stanišic defence team led by Wayne Jordash QC. The trial is the last trial before the UN Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals...
Catriona Murdoch to deliver training at the International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia - Oct 2016
On 12 November, the Association of Defence Counsel Practising Before the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ADC-ICTY) will host a training event in "Drafting Before the...
Catriona Murdoch writes for Counsel Magazine - Mar 2016
Catriona Murdoch continues her international practice and advocates the case for an in-country approach to tackling the illegal migration trade, reporting on the challenges faced in Ethiopia. Her...
Catriona Murdoch assists in an appeal at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda - Apr 2015
Catriona Murdoch assists in the representation of Alphonse Nteziryayo in his appeal against sentence and conviction for incitement to commit genocide during the Rwandan war in 1994. Nteziryayo was...
Catriona Murdoch publishes article: Living on Death Row in the Criminal Bar Quarterly, Issue 3, Autumn 2014 - Oct 2014
Catriona Murdoch has written an article for the Criminal Bar Quarterly, Issue 3, Autumn 2014 entitled Living on Death Row. The article arises out of her case-work for Amicus in which she is currently...
Catriona Murdoch Instructed to act at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda - Dec 2012
Catriona Murdoch has accepted instructions to act for Colonel Alphonse Nteziryayo, a defendant before the ICTR. Nteziryayo was convicted of a single count of direct and public incitement to genocide...
The Bar Pro Bono Unit instructs Catriona Murdoch for the family in a two-day hospital death inquest in Ipswich - Nov 2012
Catriona Murdoch was instructed by the Bar Pro Bono Unit to represent the family in a two-day hospital death inquest in Ipswich. The death occurred after a long admission in Ipswich hospital. The...
The Third International Defence Conference – International Criminal Justice: Justice for Whom? - Oct 2012
Catriona Murdoch attended the conference in Montreal having successfully applied through the International professional development and legal practice development grant programme. The Criminal Bar...
Clare Ciborowska and Catriona Murdoch secure funding to attend International Legal Conferences - Sep 2012
Clare Ciborowska and Catriona Murdoch have secured grants made available from the International Professional Development and Legal Practice Development Grant Programme. Following a competitive...
The Tomlinson Case – A Contemptible Position? - Sep 2012
Catriona Murdoch writes on the recent findings in the PC Harwood disciplinary tribunal. PC Simon Harwood, the officer who struck Ian Tomlinson during the G20 protests was found to have committed...
When and how to exclude McKenzie Friends from providing assistance in Family Proceedings - Jul 2012
Catriona Murdoch delivered a presentation on the 10th July 2012 looking at McKenzie Friends. Please click here to read an article by Catriona on this topic.
Family Law without the Lawyers? McKenzie Friends, Litigants in person and funding expert reports Seminar - Jun 2012
Family Law Without the Lawyers? McKenzie Friends, Litigants in person and funding expert reports Seminar at 5.30pm - 6.30pm on Tuesday 10th July 2012 to be held at Crown Office Row Chambers followed...
Catriona Murdoch’s article published in Criminal Law and Justice Weekly - Mar 2012
Catriona Murdoch's article on the misuse of the internet by jurors has been published in the Criminal Law and Justice Weekly journal. Catriona argues that a clearer picture is emerging of routine...
Catriona Murdoch wins the Kalisher Essay Competition 2011 - Oct 2011