Will Hayes

Practice Areas

Will is a Legal Director in the criminal litigation team with a practice focussing predominantly on serious and complex crime, extradition and INTERPOL Red Notices.

Extradition, INTERPOL and international criminal law

One of Will’s main areas of expertise is extradition and INTERPOL. He represents clients defending extradition requests at all stages of proceedings, from initial arrest right through to appeals before the High Court, and in some cases continued assistance after extradition has taken place. Will also helps clients with the removal of INTERPOL Red Notices and applications for access to information held by INTERPOL. He has developed a comprehensive understanding of INTERPOL’s rules, principles and practices, allowing highly effective applications to be submitted to INTERPOL on behalf of clients. Recent work has focussed in particular on the USA, India and the UAE, although he is able to assist clients regardless of the jurisdiction in which they face criminal proceedings. His cases often involve highly sensitive political issues, complex questions of law and high profile clients.

Other international criminal law experience includes advising on mutual legal assistance requests to the UK, seeking diplomatic assistance for UK nationals facing criminal proceedings in foreign countries and conducting multi-jurisdictional internal investigations.

Will’s other main area of expertise is serious and complex crime including police investigations. Will is also an expert on the law of legal professional privilege and its practical application to criminal cases and investigations.

Career

He was called to the Bar in 2013 and completed pupillage at a leading set of criminal chambers, during which he appeared in the magistrates’ court, youth court and crown court for trials, sentencing and other hearings on a daily basis. Since joining Kingsley Napley in 2017, he has gained extensive experience representing individuals and corporate clients in all types of criminal cases.

Professional Memberships

Criminal Bar Association (CBA)

Defence Extradition Lawyers Forum (DELF)

London Criminal Courts Solicitors' Association (LCCSA)

Young Fraud Lawyers Association (YFLA)

Work Highlights

Extradition, INTERPOL and international criminal law

- A number of recent cases involving individuals whose extradition has been sought by the US. Will has worked closely with US defence lawyers to achieve the most favourable outcome in the substantive proceedings whilst ensuring the extradition cases proceed in a way that best facilitates this.

- Acted for a client whose extradition was sought by the US in respect of alleged violations of US sanctions against Iran and associated fraud offences. The case was politically sensitive and raised novel and complex issues of law.

- Successfully persuaded INTERPOL to delete a Red Notice published at the request of India in respect of alleged terrorism offences. The Red Notice had been in place for 14 years before it was removed.

- Petitioned INTERPOL both prior to and after the issuing of a Red Notice against a high profile Indian client accused of financial crime in a politically motivated case.