David Hooper KC

  • A very likeable personality who's appealing to judges, he gets great results in his cases and is firmly committed to the client. 

    Chambers UK 2023, International Criminal Law

  • He is fearless and has great ideas about how to get the evidence required in the case.

    Chambers UK 2023, International Criminal Law

  • David is a powerful and engaging advocate whose approach is liked and well-received by judges.

    Legal 500 2023, International Crime and Extradition

  • David has had very extensive experience in the fields of both international criminal law and extradition.

    Legal 500 2022, International Crime and Extradition

  • He is the quintessential character you need in court. He gets up on his feet and does what we all wish we could do through charm and eloquence. He can really get to the point and humanise his arguments. 

    Chambers UK 2022

  • The international work allows the advocate to undertake investigative work in order to prepare the defence. He is exceptionally good at discovering evidence and gaining the assistance of locals for this purpose.

    Legal 500 2022, International Crime and Extradition

  • A measured and unflappable advocate, who is at ease in a courtroom setting. 

    Chambers UK 2021

  • A fantastic lawyer who is absolutely brilliant in court. When he starts to speak people stop what they're doing and listen.

    Chambers UK

  • David has considerable knowledge and expertise in the field of international crime and has been involved in a number of ground-breaking cases. He is an impressive advocate with a charming and persuasive style which is reflected in the results he achieves. He brings an originality of approach to his cases and works tirelessly in the interests of his clients.

    Legal 500 2021, International Crime and Extradition

  • He is a very affable and eloquent lawyer who is somebody that is able to draw communities together.

    Chambers UK

  • An experienced international criminal lawyer who is greatly respected for his dedication to his cases.

    Chambers UK

  • An excellent advocate who is extremely eloquent and very charming... He is very good indeed.

    Chambers UK

  • He is a very personable and open barrister who is able to deal with a wide range of people very effectively.  He is able to win the trust and confidence of people from a wide range of different countries..

    Chambers UK

  • Instructed to defend in the most agenda-setting International Criminal Court cases

    Legal 500

  • He has a track record of defending in international crime cases.

    Legal 500

  • He combines impressive advocacy with an incisive eye for the details of a case.

    Legal 500 2020

  • Very highly respected and someone with a well-earned reputation.

    Chambers UK 2020

  • His advocacy and legal skills impress.

    Chambers UK 2020

Called 1971

Silk 2010

David Hooper KC

Barrister

David Hooper KC, 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

Recommended as a leading silk in International Criminal Law in Chambers UK.

David Hooper K.C.’s domestic practice has largely concerned serious criminal matters and extradition but his main area of practice over the past 20 years has been in International Criminal Law, with extensive experience representing accused before international Tribunals and Courts. The complex ICL cases involve, in addition to court and paper advocacy, investigating the case and managing a defence team. He was lead defence counsel before the International Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in the case of Andre Rwamakuba, a Minister in the 1994 Rwandan Government, and later for Father Nsengimana, a Catholic priest accused of genocide. Both were acquitted. Since 2007, David Hooper has been at the forefront of cases at the International Criminal Court, in The Hague, firstly as counsel in the DRC case of Germain Katanga, presently in its reparations phase and, secondly, the Kenya election violence case of William Ruto, presently the Deputy President of Kenya, ‘stayed’ at the conclusion of the prosecution case in 2016 for lack of evidence.  David has travelled extensively throughout Africa and until recently was based in The Hague. He has lectured extensively on ICL matters and was the first President of the ICC Bar Association.  He is currently representing Augustin Ngirabatware at the MICT (The United Nations Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals) in Tanzania.

Education

  • University of Kent at Canterbury
  • Jesus College, Cambridge

Memberships

  • Criminal Bar Association
  • South Eastern Circuit

General

  • David Hooper QC was elected the first President of the International Criminal Court Bar Association in 2016.
  • Ranked in the Spotlight Table of the Chambers UK Bar Guide 2023 for International Criminal Law.
  • Ranked as a Leading Silk in Legal 500 2023 in International Criminal Law and Extradition.