Aarif Abraham

Practice Areas

International Law

Public International Law

International Criminal Law

International Human Rights Law

Sanctions

Administrative & Public Law

Criminal Law

International Arbitration

Career

Aarif Abraham is a barrister, writer, and speaker specialising in international criminal law and public international law, including international human rights law and international arbitration. Aarif is recognised as a leading barrister (Band 1) in international law in Chambers and Partners (2021-present). His domestic practice focuses on public law and criminal defence with a special focus on protest rights and appeals.

Aarif advises States, individuals, companies, public interest groups, and international organisations, including the United Nations, on public international law, international criminal law, and international human rights law. He also advises policy makers, parliamentarians, and practitioners on foreign policy matters, constitutional issues, and peacebuilding. Over the past five years, he has extensively advised on and assisted in establishing tribunals, panels and inquiries. He also advises on sanctions and commercial disputes.

Aarif’s most recent and high-profile work includes advising on the creation of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression committed in Ukraine (working with Prof. Philippe Sands KC and former heads of government), advising a State Party on a referral to the International Criminal Court, working with the Uyghur Tribunal (where he acted as co-counsel and principal legal advisor), the Yazidi Justice Committee (as founder), and several parliamentary enquiries as external advisor. Aarif has acted as an external advisor to various international initiatives, including on the Genocide Determination Bill, Genocide Prevention Bill, and several All-Party Parliamentary Groups concerning international law and/or foreign policy.

Aarif holds leadership positions—as a director, trustee, lawyer, or investigator—in private practice, international courts or tribunals, and NGOs and international organisations. He is the founder of Accountability Unit, an NGO specialising in conflict-resolution and justice issues. Aarif continues acts as a consultant or expert to several United Nations bodies, and is available for instruction, including through Justice Rapid Response.

Aarif originally qualified as a solicitor and practiced with the international law firm Slaughter and May, specialising in public law, litigation, and arbitration.

Aarif regularly contributes commentary in the national and international press, including in The Times, Politico, Guardian, Project Syndicate, and the Associated Press, and he is frequently invited to speak on international justice issues. His book, A Constitution of the People and How to Achieve It, was published by Colombia University and Ibidem Press in 2021.

Aarif can be instructed directly in suitable cases under the Bar’s Direct Access scheme.

Professional Memberships

Founder, Member and Consultant, pro bono, Accountability Unit (since 2015); Founder, Yazidi Justice Committee (since 2020); Advisor, Hazara Inquiry, UK Parliament (since 2022); Principal Advisor, Genocide Determination Bill 2022

External Advisor to All-Party Parliamentary Group (AAPG) on Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity; APPG on Ukraine; and APPG on International Law, Justice and Accountability (2020 – present)

Co-opted Member, Bar Liaison Committee, Qualifying and Training Committee, Context of Law Series Committee, The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple (since 2020)

Associate, Manchester International Law Centre, University of Manchester (since 2021)

List of Specialist Co-Counsel, Defence Office and the Victims’ Participation Office, Kosovo Specialist Chambers, The Hague (since 2020)

Expert, Council of Experts, American Bar Association’s International, Criminal Justice Section (Atrocity Crimes Initiative) (since 2019)

Expert, Justice Rapid Response (JRR), International Criminal Law Justice Experts Roster & JRR-UN Women SGBV Justice Experts Roster (since 2018)

Advisor, Advisory Board, Centre for Access to Justice and Inclusion, Anglia Ruskin University (since 2020)

Trustee, Coalition for Genocide Response (since 2020)

Convener, International Law Team, Garden Court North Chambers (2020-2023)

Advisor, Advisory Board, Centre for Access to Justice and Inclusion, Anglia Ruskin University (since 2020)

Rostered for instructions, International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (since 2016)

Rostered for instructions, UNAIDS and UNAIDS Technical Support Mechanism (since 2018)

Member, Bar Human Rights Committee (since 2019)

Member of the Society of the Inner Temple as a Barrister who has transferred to the Bar of England and Wales (since 2016)

Member of the Law Society of England and Wales as a Qualified Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales (since 2011)

Education