Rebecca has significant experience in both domestic criminal litigation and extradition, having acted for defendants in a wide range of investigations from serious fraud, money laundering, bribery and corruption, to sexual offences and offences involving violence or drugs. She advises on a wide range of white collar crime matters including SFO and FCA investigations. She has extensive experience of representing individuals at police station interviews.
Rebecca specialises in cases involving cross-jurisdictional elements. She has successfully defended many persons requested by other states, both inside and outside the EU in extradition proceedings at all levels. She has experience in advising in sanctions cases, and in providing advice to those subject to Interpol red notices and mutual legal assistance requests. Many of these international cases require an understanding of human rights and, in addition to casework, Rebecca provides training on human rights to international audiences. She has also represented one of only three persons prosecuted in the UK for an offence of universal jurisdiction.
“an excellent lawyer” who is recognised here for her impressive work defending individuals. She wins high praise from sources who note, “She’s really at the top of her game.”
Who's Who Legal: Business Crime Defence 2018
Rebecca has co-written one of the leading practitioner texts on extradition law (see below), now in its second edition.
Rebecca has Higher Rights of Audience (Criminal). She has a PhD in Art History from the University of Bristol.
Recent work
- Successfully defended a number of EAW cases, from countries such as Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, and Romania.
- Successful challenges to a number of requests from Ukraine.
- Secured a discharge in the two most recent extradition requests made by the Russian Federation.
- Represented a number of persons facing allegations of sexual offences.
- Advising senior members of international companies in relation to SFO and FCA investigations.
- Acting for Nepalese army officer facing trial for torture in criminal proceedings brought in the UK.
what clients and directories have said
"she knows the law very well and is on top of this fast-moving area," and "she adds value that you wouldn't get from other counsel."
Chambers and Partners UK, 2017
"comes highly recommended for the "specialist knowledge" she brings to her expert extradition practice."
Chambers UK, 2017
"She is one of the leading extradition lawyers practising in London. She is academically excellent and able to translate that into advice for her clients."
Chambers and Partners, 2016
"She is one of the leading extradition lawyers practising in London. She is academically excellent and able to translate that into advice for her clients."
Chambers UK, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2016
Associate Rebecca Niblock is praised as "extremely knowledgeable, hard-working and thorough."
Chambers UK, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession
"Rebecca Niblock is highly regarded within the fields of general crime and extradition. Sources note that "she is an urbane and thoughtful lawyer with an impressive intellect"
Chambers UK, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession
"She stands out as being 'exceptionally bright' and 'fearless'.
Chambers UK, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession
Publications
Rebecca is co-author of Extradition Law: A Practitioners Guide, published by LAG. It is available to order online. Read the Law Society Gazette review here.
Rebecca recently contributed to the House of Lords Select Committee on Extradition. The report has now been published, read it here.
Public Service Europe 9 July 2013: Making political capital at the expense of the rule of law is a dangerous game, which the British government should avoid at all costs, argues Rebecca
Publications, Press HIghlights, Speaking Engagements & Blogs
- International Insight In Criminal Law Podcast Series - Episode 1, Interpol and Red Notices - August 2020
- Commented in Free Movement, March 2020 - Attorney General's rule of law record could hinder EU extradition deal
- Wrote for the Law Society Gazette, 6 November 2019 - Changes proposed by the Extradition (Provisional Arrest) Bill
- Fast track electronic evidence gathering from overseas - one step closer, October 2019
- Cross border criminal justice post Brexit - Operation Yellowhammer, September 2019
- Quoted in The Telegraph, August 2019 - Goldman's Europe boss among 17 bankers charged in Malaysian 1MDB probe.
- Quoted extensively in April 2019 in the press, on radio and TV following the arrest of Julian Assange and the respective extradition requests from Sweden and the US . Commentary and appearances include:
- Main publications
-
Radio
- BBC Radio London, Friday 12/4
- BBC Radio Scotland: Newsdrive, Friday 12/4
- BBC World Service weekend, Saturday 13/4
- BBC Radio London, Sunday 14/4
-
TV
- BBC News Channel, Friday 12/4
- Sky News, Saturday 13/4
- Quoted in Law360, March 2019 - Sanctions regulator forces banks to tighten up compliance
- New powers to gather electronic evidence from overseas agreed, February 2019
- No deal Brexit: what this would mean for extradition?, January 2019
- Quoted in Law360, December 2018 - UK Judges Block Extradition Of Russian Tax Fraud Suspect
- Quoted The Times, December 2018 - Judges block extradition of Russian oligarch over torture concerns
- Quoted in EFE News Service, November 2018 - Russian bid to head Interpol fails, but concerns of abuse remain
- Quoted in Wall Street Journal, November 2018 - Russian Bid to Head Interpol Fails, but Concerns of Abuse Remain
- Quoted in Bloomberg, 6 April 2018 - Ex-HSBC Worker Extradition Risks Crashing Into Spanish Politics
- Quoted in the press regarding Lauri Love extradition appeal case, February 2018 - including Law Society Gazette, Daily Mail, Boston Herald, Washington Post and Express News
- Spoke about Lauri Love extradition appeal case on BBC Radio 4 PM Programme, 5 February 2018
- Quoted in The Times, 10 November 2017, A battle between law and politics
- Quoted in The Brief, June 2017, Throwing out human rights law 'would hamper security services'
Professional societies and memberships
- Member of the London Criminal Courts Solicitor’s Association (LCCSA)
- Member of Solicitors’ Association of Higher Court Advocates.
Rebecca is also chair of the Defence Extradition Lawyers’ Forum. She sits on the Law Society’s Criminal Law Committee and is a committee member of the Extradition Lawyers’ Association.
