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Terrorism Group

Owing to Tooks' unique collection of expertise, rare has been the post 9/11 terror trial that hasn't featured at least one member of the Tooks group - in the bigger trials several members of the team are usually instructed. Built over decades of specialist representation - from the Birmingham Six to the 7/7 bombings - Tooks position as the chambers of choice for these complex political cases is unrivalled. Work by the unit covers the full range of proceedings - trials, appeals, control order proceedings, SIAC - in which national security issues are raised..

Instrumental in redefining anti-terrorism laws, and ensuring that the political and religious issues arising are properly examined, Tooks' is the leading Chambers in the field, often achieving outstanding results.

Post 9/11 cases that Tooks has been involved in include:

•  Currently, 7/7 London Bombings trials.
• Currently, Airport Terror Plot, a number of British nationals accused of conspiring together to blow up a number of aircraft in mid air.
• Currently - judicial review challenges to refusals of citizenship to alleged threats to national security.
• The Radical Preachers trial.
• The Muslim Soldier Beheading Plot, Amjad Mahmood acquitted.
• Bradford Terrorist Propaganda Men, jailed over possession of extremist literature. Landmark ruling by the Court of Appeal quashing the convictions of the five men. Far-reaching effects in relation to section 57 of the Terrorism Act 2000. In separate but related proceedings in R v K (2008), the Court of Appeal gave a strong judgment as to the way section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000 should be interpreted.
• Terrorist Training Camp trial, defendants alleged to have supplied training and indoctrination to the 21/7 bombers.
• The 21/7 London Bombers, jury unable to reach a verdict in relation to Adel Yahya and Manfo Asiedu. Later pleaded.
• Ceri Bullivant (2007) - in which a control order was successfully challenged on basis that there was insufficient evidence of a threat to national security.
• MT (Algeria) (2007) - in which the Court of Appeal considered the use of secret material before SIAC.
• The Fertiliser Bomb Plot, a large terror conspiracy involving the use of fertiliser to blow up UK targets. Nabeel Hussain was acquitted.
• The Ricin plot, a bioterrorism plot on an underground railway station in which Ricin would have been manufactured and used for the attack. Acquitted.
• R v Bourgass (2004) - The murder of Special Branch officer that led to the Ricin trial.
• Tahira Tabassum, Wife of first British Suicide Bomber allegedly witheld information under Terrorism Act in relation to suicide bombing in Israel. Acquitted.
• Gloucester Shoe bomber, Sajad Badat accused of plotting with Richard Reid.
• R v Safi (2003) - The second Stansted Hijack. This was by Afghan rebels. Refined the law on Duress. Conviction quashed on Appeal.

Pre 9/11 cases involving the Crime Team include: 

• R v Maguire & Others (2003) - the case concerned a bombing campaign by the Real IRA which included the detonating of explosive devices at BBC Television Centre, Ealing Broadway and Birmingham;
• R v Abdallah (2001) - The 1st Stansted Hijacking of a Sudanese airliner by Iraqi dissidents. One of two leading authorities on Duress. Won on Appeal;
• R v Hyland & Others (1999), was the first proescution in this country of alleged mebers of the Real IRA and the defednats were charged with a conspiracy to plant incendiary bombs in London;
• R v Al Fawwaz & Others (2001) involved the extradition of persons accused of responsibility for the alleged Al Qaeda bombings of the US embassies in Dar es Salaam and Nairobi in 1998;
• R. v. Kebilene & Others (1998) the first prosecution of persons accused of being members of the Algerian group, the GIA;
• The Brighton Bombing, perhaps the largest bombing when the whole Tory cabinet was nearly wiped out;
• R v Gannon & Others (1997), alleged IRA plot to disable the entire electricity supply to Greater London by bombing a number of electricity sub stations;
• R v Hindawi (1988) - The attempted bombing of the Israeli airline El Al. The sentence received is the leading authority;
• R v Higgins & Others (1977) representing defendants charged with conspiracy to supply arms and equipment to IRA;
• R v O'Connell & Others (1976) representing Irish Republican Army members (the "Balcombe Street Four") charged with numerous offences of political violence;
• Birmingham Six & the Guildford Four miscarriages of justice appeal;

Further Information

For further information please conact our Senior Clerk

• Martin Parker 020 7841 6109 martin.parker@tooks.co.uk