Aaron Watkins

Year of Call: 2006

Specialist practice areas: Serious Crime, Regulation/Compliance, Extradition, Asset Forfeiture

Serious Crime

Aaron undertakes a full range of criminal work at all levels within the criminal justice system for both prosecution and defence. He is a Grade 1 prosecutor on the CPS London List. Aaron was recently led in the successful defence of a client in a complex cut-throat drugs importation trial involving IRA criminal gang connections.

Extradition

Aaron regularly advises and appears on behalf of requesting states and defendants in extradition proceedings. He has expertise in both Part 1 (European Arrest Warrant) and Part 2 cases, and import and export extradition. Aaron is experienced in arguing all issues raised under the Extradition Act 2003, in particular human rights.

Recent cases he has acted in include extradition requests for defendants sought for offences of murder, terrorism, serious sexual assaults including paedophile sex abuse, drugs conspiracies, and large-scale fraud. Aaron is currently representing the Government of the United States of America in a request seeking the return of a defendant for a multi-million dollar cross-border fraud.

In preparation for the recent devolution of extradition policing Aaron was responsible for training numerous police authorities across the UK.

Asset Forfeiture

Aaron was seconded counsel to RCPO's Asset Forfeiture Division for six months during 2006. During this time he developed expertise in asset forfeiture proceedings under the different confiscation regimes. He is experienced in restraint and confiscation proceedings from pre-charge restraint matters to post confiscation order issues.

Aaron also undertakes work in relation to civil forfeiture proceedings, in particular cash detention and forfeiture.

Regulatory

Aaron frequently represents various local authorities and regulatory bodies in a wide variety of proceedings concerning trading, food hygiene, and social security.

Other areas of interest and experience

Prior to practicing at the Bar, Aaron worked at the Center for Equal Justice in Louisiana, USA as part of a team of lawyers and investigators working on high profile post-conviction death penalty cases.

Aaron has also developed substantial experience in public law proceedings generally through his work with ‘The Public Law Project'. He has a particular interest in judicial review proceedings arising out of criminal matters.