After more than 30 years representing clients in some of the country’s most significant public interest cases, criminal defence and human rights barrister Rajiv Menon KC is facing contempt of court proceedings that carry a potential prison sentence of 2 years.
Rajiv is being prosecuted over the closing speech he delivered in defence of Charlotte Head, a young woman who was involved in a direct action against a factory in Filton belonging to Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest arms manufacturer.
The case brought against Rajiv is unprecedented. It is believed to be the first time in British legal history that a lawyer is being prosecuted for contempt for words spoken during a closing speech.
But this is about far more than one lawyer or one trial. The precedent this case sets could weaken the foundations of our justice system, undermine the freedom of lawyers to fearlessly represent the interests of their clients, and endanger the fundamental right to a free and fair trial.
On this page, you will find a timeline of key events, a list of resources including relevant legal documents and judgments, links to press coverage and links to external campaigns.
Timeline: Rajiv Menon KC Contempt Case
Useful Links & Resources
Court of Appeal Judgment (Criminal Division) (24 July 2026):
In the matter of contempt proceedings against Rajiv Menon KC [2026] EWCA Crim 966
Contempt Proceedings, Woolwich Crown Court (29 June 2026):
In the matter of contempt proceedings against Rajiv Menon KC – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Court of Appeal (12 May 2026):
Court of Appeal Judgment
Court of Appeal Order
Court of Appeal Press Summary
Transcript of Rajiv Menon KC’s Closing Speech (8 January 2026)
Regular updates can be found on X via the Defend our Lawyers account @DefendourLawyer
Garden Court North Chambers – Garden Court North hosts event in support of Rajiv Menon KC amid unprecedented prosecution
Press Coverage
- George Monbiot | The Guardian – ‘Think our basic rights are safe? In the age of oligarchs and corporate lobbying, think again’ (31 July 2026)
- Stop the War Coalition – ‘In defence of Rajiv Menon KC: why fearless advocacy remains under threat’ (29 July 2026)
- openDemocracy – ‘I was sentenced as a terrorist. Now my barrister is on trial for defending me’ (28 July 2026)
- Law Gazette – Legal profession speaks out in defence of silk facing contempt trial (27 July 2026)
- Legal Futures – Menon contempt hearing stayed for jurisdiction challenge (27 July 2026)
- Law Gazette – Legal profession speaks out in defence of silk facing contempt trial (24 July 2026)
- Irish Legal News – England: Barristers warn prosecution of Rajiv Menon KC will have chilling effect (24 July 2026)
- The Guardian – Palestine Action barrister’s prosecution criticised as ‘chilling’ (23 July 2026)
- The Guardian – One day, your life and future may depend on a jury. The integrity of that legal process is in peril right now (23 July 2026)
- Middle East Eye – Prosecution of Palestine Action barrister has left lawyers ‘uncertain and scared’ (23 July 2026)
- Shereener Browne – Index on Censorship – Prosecuting Palestine Action lawyer threatens juries’ right to acquit (23 July 2026)
- Lviv Herald – The Advocate in the Dock: Why the Rajiv Menon KC Contempt Proceedings Raise Profound Questions About Judicial Power (23 July 2026)
- Good Law Project – LinkedIn Post (23 July 2026)
- The Justice Gap – Jury speech – hiding under a Bushell (15 July 2026)
- The Times – Criminal lawyers shocked at contempt of court charge for KC (1 July 2026)
- The Justice Gap – Palestine Action barrister again facing legal action for jury conscience remarks (26 June 2026)
- Declassified UK – Palestine Action lawyer faces renewed contempt proceedings (23 June 2026)
- The Guardian – You may not sympathise with the Elbit four’s methods. But you should be outraged by their treatment under the law (20 May 2026)
- The Observer – Sentencing the Palestine activists for terrorism places c… (13 June 2026)
- The Observer – ‘Juries must be allowed to follow their conscience’ (17 June 2026)
- Bar Council Warns Over Rajiv Menon Contempt Proceedings (15 May 2026)
- Bar Council statement on contempt of court (13 May 2026)
- Law Gazette – Court of Appeal finds court lacked jurisdiction to pursue Rajiv Menon KC for contempt (12 May 2026)
- The Guardian – Palestine Action trial lawyer wins appeal against contempt of court charge (12 May 2026)
- Law Gazette – Contempt proceedings against Rajiv Menon would be ‘novel and without historical precedent’, says chambers (11 May 2026)
- The Justice Gap – Barrister faces contempt over Palestine Action jury speech (7 May 2026)
- Declassified UK – Michael Mansfield ‘extremely concerned’ by case against Palestine Action lawyer (6 May 2026)
- The Guardian – Barrister in Palestine Action trial facing contempt of court proceedings (5 May 2026)
Links to External Campaigns
NetPol Petition
A link to NetPol’s petition can be found here: Save Britain’s Juries | 38 Degrees
Defend Our Lawyers
Defend our Lawyers is an external, independent campaign group that has been established to raise awareness of the current threats to the justice system, following the contempt proceedings brought against Rajiv.
Defend our Lawyers has stated:
“When lawyers cannot defend their clients without fear, juries can no longer deliberate independently and the democratic freedoms of all citizens are fundamentally weakened. Defend our Lawyers is working to defend the justice system, to ensure lawyers can continue fearlessly representing the interests of their clients and protect the universal right to a free and fair trial.
The independence of lawyers and juries are at risk and people’s freedoms of assembly and expression are facing further restrictions.
Today it is one barrister. Tomorrow it could be any lawyer or whistleblower speaking up.”
Regular updates from Defend our Lawyers can be found on X via their account @DefendourLawyer and on Defend Our Lawyers – YouTube.
