Jeffrey Israel

Practice Profile

Jeffrey Israel is a leading barrister, listed in the Legal 500 directory, specialising in all aspects of criminal law.

Jeffrey acted on a Bar Direct Access basis in the successful appeal of Alexander Blackman – known as ‘Marine A’, who was convicted of murdering a dying Taliban insurgent whilst on active service in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

In March 2017 after a legal battle lasting almost 2 years, Jeffrey, led by Jonathan Goldberg QC and leading Senghin Kong, succeeded in winning on appeal the historic case of Marine A, Acting Colour Sergeant Alexander Blackman of the Royal Marines. He had been convicted by court-martial in 2013 of murdering a wounded Taliban terrorist on a battlefield in Afghanistan and had been sentenced to life imprisonment together with reduction to the ranks and dismissal from the Armed Forces with disgrace. An appeal against conviction brought in 2014 by his old legal team had failed completely.

Following a public campaign new grounds of appeal were submitted to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) in December 2015.

Once an appeal has been tried and failed, this body represents the only possible route to challenge a miscarriage of justice. However, the CCRC refer less than 3% annually of all the cases they receive back to the Court of Appeal for a new hearing, and therefore it is a formidable mountain to climb. The legal team identified six grounds of appeal and the CCRC upheld three of these grounds as constituting a real possibility that the Court of Appeal would overturn the murder verdict, and referred the case back to the Court of Appeal. Shortly thereafter an expedited hearing was ordered by the Lord Chief Justice.

They succeeded on the first ground argued to reduce murder to manslaughter, thus leading to the Sergeant`s almost immediate release from prison and the quashing of his life sentence and there was no need to litigate the remaining grounds at all. In addition, his dismissal with disgrace from the Armed Forces was rescinded to simple dismissal, and his reduction to the ranks was quashed.

Jeffrey has been instructed both as a leading junior as well as junior alone in a wide range of serious criminal matters. He is admired for his robust handling of their cases and his fearless approach in Court and is highly sought after by private clients, often on Bar Direct Access enabling him to oversee every aspect of the case which offers particular reassurance to his clients.

Current private defence instructions include two separate fraud appeals, the defence of a woman accused of assisting her husband in an attempted murder, a man accused of money laundering, the alleged common assault of a traffic warden, a young woman accused of ABH, an insurance fraud, and defending the ex-boyfriend of Cara Delevingne’s PA who is accused of assaulting her repeatedly.

In addition Jeffrey is currently instructed in three separate defence murder trials. Two involve ‘gangland’ killings whilst the third is the alleged murder of a prostitute in her own home.

Recent private cases include representing a former manager of Tottenham Hotspur FC for speeding, the defence of a multi-millionaire for an alleged assault in Harrod’s Food Hall, a firearms case, a rape trial, the theft of £400,000 from his own family by a compulsive gambler, as well as a number of other cases – including appeals and Magistrates’ Court cases.

Other recent cases include acting as leading counsel in a multi-handed armed robbery, the defence of the main defendant of 9 accused of 13 armed robberies, an attempted ‘gangland’ murder, a ‘gangland’ blackmail, false imprisonment and GBH, the possession with intent to supply 3kgs of heroin, and an aggravated burglary with firearms.

Previously Jeffrey has defended in the murder of a lorry driver in a drunken attack, an £8m conspiracy to supply heroin, a large-scale nationwide cocaine conspiracy involving 11 defendants, a conspiracy to transfer loaded machine-guns by defendants in prison, a multi-handed murder allegation arising out of a 'drug war' in a case that involved the US authorities, a multi-million pound Serious Fraud Office case involving the creation of false identities and bank accounts that are then used to defraud HMRC, the shooting at a uniformed police officer in the course of an armed robbery, human-trafficking for the purpose of forced prostitution, a gang-related firearms case where over 100 guns, grenades, and live ammunition were being supplied across the country and a large-scale importation of cocaine from South America.

As well as being a specialist criminal defence barrister, Jeffrey has a particular interest in Civil Actions against the Police, Judicial Reviews and Public Inquests. He is regularly instructed to advise charities such as MENCAP, National Autistic Society and Guide Dogs for the Blind on matters of potential criminal liability, including in Court of Protection proceedings. He has lectured in this field on topics such as ‘Capacity to Consent to Sex, a Civil and a Criminal Perspective’ and as such has particular expertise in this field.

Jeffrey is able to accept instructions direct from the public in appropriate cases. For further information in this regard please contact the Senior Clerk.

 

News

• R v. S [Westminster] 2018

  Alleged assault of fashion designer to Cara Delevinge

  Jeffrey Israel successfully defended a high profile case where it was alleged that the boyfriend of the fashion designer to socialite Cara Delevigne repeatedly assaulted her and controlled her. Following legal argument the case against Jeffrey’s client was dropped and he was acquitted of all charges.

  News report here 

• R v. Kamara & anr [C.C.C.] 2018

  Gang Execution

  Jeffrey Israel instructed by Jon Ross of EBR Attridges, led by James Scobie QC secured the acquittal of Sidique Kamara who was accused of murder having allegedly executed a teenager by plunging a large knife into the victim’s chest in revenge after a gang member was mocked for being caught by police with a samurai sword. The murder took place outside a Tesco Express in Southampton Way, Peckham in front of a number of witnesses.

  Sidique Kamara was positively identified by the victim’s friend who was next to him when he was killed. In addition the prosecution relied on telephone cell site evidence, gang membership evidence, extensive CCTV footage, as well as Sidique Kamara’s ‘no comment’ police interview. The trial lasted 5 weeks.

  There were two defendants and Sidique Kamara was accused of being the stabber and was the main defendant in the case. Both defendants were unanimously acquitted by the jury.

• R v. Buchler [Isleworth] 2016

  Assault in 'Harrods' Food Hall

  Jeffrey Israel, led by Jonathan Goldberg QC, represented David Buchler, the former vice-chairman of Tottenham Hotspur FC who was accused of breaking a shopper’s nose in Harrods in a row over a croissant.

  Daily Mail report here.

• R v. TN [Guildford] 2016

  Multiple Date Rape Allegations

  Jeffrey Israel defended in this case involving Multiple Date Rape Allegations.

• R v. S & ors [Snaresbrook] 2016

  Firearms

  Jeffrey Israel was defence Counsel in this 3 month guns and ammunition conspiracy. 

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Notable Cases

• R v Alexander Blackman [Court Martial Appeal Court] 2017

  Murder reduced to manslaughter following CCRC reference and second appeal

  Jeffrey Israel and Senghin Kong led by Jonathan Goldberg QC and instructed under the Bar Direct Access scheme, represented former Royal Marine Sergeant Alexander Blackman (also known as “Marine A”) who succeeded after a long campaign for justice in having his conviction for murder reduced to manslaughter by diminished responsibility. The campaign was led by the renowned author Frederick Forsyth and the Daily Mail, and supported by thousands of members of the public.

  The new legal team submitted a 100-page report to the CCRC in December 2015. A year later the CCRC referred the case back to the Court Martial Appeal Court who swiftly quashed the conviction for murder and imposed a sentence for manslaughter which would allow for the former sergeant’s almost immediate release. Outside Court after the sentencing hearing on 28 March 2017, the wife of Marine A, Mrs Claire Blackman said: 
  
  “We are overjoyed at the judges’ decision to significantly reduce Al’s sentence, such that he can be released imminently. This is the moment that we have all been fighting hard for. It is hard to believe that this day is finally here. There are so many people we must thank for getting us here. They include of course our brilliant legal team, Jonathan Goldberg QC, Jeffrey Israel and Senghin Kong, thank you all. They also include the fabulous Frederick Forsyth and the wonderful Richard Drax MP, both of whom have fought tirelessly in support of Al.” 

  Mrs Blackman later added:
  
  “Jeffrey consistently offered us calm, considered and professional advice. His patience knows no limits. His knowledge and observation skills meant that he was always open and honest - never promising anything he couldn't deliver. And he certainly delivered.”
  
  “What Senghin doesn't know about the law and its application isn't worth knowing. His knowledge and attention to detail is incredible and yet his approach was always to help us clearly understand and explore solutions. Everyone needs a Senghin on their team.”

  To read more about this case please use the links below:

  Daily Mail report on the sentencing (28 March 2017)

  Telegraph report on the sentencing (28 March 2017)

  The sentencing remarks (28 March 2017)

  Daily Mail report on the conviction being quashed (15 March 2017)

  Guardian report on the conviction being quashed (15 March 2017)

  The appeal judgment (15 March 2017)

  Joshua Rozenberg’s commentary in anticipation of the appeal hearing (5 February 2017)

  Daily Mail Campaign for Justice page