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Education

University of Kent at Canterbury
Jesus College, Cambridge

Practice

David Hooper Q.C., a founder member of Chambers, has experience of many areas, particularly in criminal law where he has been involved in a wide range of significant cases over the years

David Hooper is associated with the following areas of expertise:

Crime
Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance
International Criminal Law

Cases

International Criminal Work

David’s main area of work for the past ten years has been in International Criminal/Humanitarian law before international criminal tribunals and currently the International Criminal Court in The Hague. David has appeared in a number of high profile cases and is one of the most experienced international practitioners in this complex and emerging field.

  • International Criminal Court, The Hague. Case of General Germain Katanga
    Lead counsel since 2007. General Katanga is charged with committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ituri, Democratic Republic of Congo, in 2003. This was only the second trial to take place before the new International Criminal Court. The defence case concluded in November and final submission and judgment are due in 2012.
  • Pre-trial international cases. David is also counsel for Mr William Ruto, a leading Kenyan politician, charge with orchestrating the violence that followed the disputed election results in 2007. The case is at a pre-trial stage. David is also assisting in the preliminary stages of the case of President Laurent Gbagbo, former President of Cote D'Ivoire, who is likewise charged with crimes against humanity following the disputed election in that country.
  • International Criminal Tribunal For Rwanda, Arusha, Tanzania –v- Dr Andre Rwamakuba.  Lead counsel (1999 – 2006) for Dr Andre Rwamakuba, a Minister in the Rwandan Government of 1994 accused of being a major figure in the Rwandan genocide both by way of Government authority and by direct participation in killings. Dr Rwamakuba was acquitted. Counsel’s function includes preparatory investigation and David had to undertake investigations in various parts of Africa and elsewhere to prepare the case, investigate the prosecution case and find defence witnesses, uncovering significant evidence that discredited the Prosecution witnesses. The case is unique in that the accused was paid compensation for procedural irregularities. Dr Rwamakuba is currently living in Switzerland.
  • International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia at The Hague. Case of Vojislav Seselj. Court-appointed lead counsel for a self-representing accused charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity arising from ‘hate speech’, his recruitment and use of volunteer militia, such as the White Eagles, and alleged participation and incitement of ethnic cleansing in Vukovar, Slavonia, Bosnia, Sarajevo and the Serb Republic. The accused wished to represent himself and continues to do so!
  • International Criminal Tribunal For Rwanda, Tanzania –v- Father Hormisdas Nsengimana. Counsel for Fr Hormisdas, a Catholic priest accused of conspiracy in organising the genocide in Rwanda, and of killing fellow priests and civilians. The trial started in June 2007. Fr Hormisdas was acquitted of all charges in November 2009 and is, today, a parish priest in Italy.
  • The International Criminal Court, The Hague, from November 2007. Lead counsel in the case of General Germain Katanga.  General Katanga is charged with committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ituri, Democratic Republic of Congo, while a militia leader in 2003. The Prosecution case is expected to conclude towards the end of 2010. This is only the second trial to take place before the new International Criminal Court.

 

 

Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance

  • R v VB - United Kingdom extradition case. Extradition was sought by the Government of Rwanda of Dr Vincent Brown and others for genocide and crimes against humanity. Of particular concern to those who represented Dr Brown was the nature of the evidence against him, and even the appeal Court expressed concern as to its truthfulness. The case was one of the most lengthy and complex extradition cases. The case succeeded on appeal in 2009 on the basis that there existed a real risk that the accused’s fair trial rights would be breached if he were to be tried in Rwanda.

Contact

T. 020 7067 1500

E. dhooper@25bedfordrow.com