Congratulations to our partner Luke Vidal and the legal experts of Sygna Partners law firm, for joining the "legal Task Force" created by the Ukrainian government. This legal team of international lawyers and academics will work to identify international crimes committed by the Russian Federation in Ukraine in order to bring justice to the victims of these crimes.
The Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Itryna Venediktova, commented on the creation of the Task Force: "We are grateful to this esteemed group for their support for Ukraine. Their assistance and guidance will be invaluable in the process of securing justice for Ukrainian victims and rebuilding our state”.
The entire Sygna Partners law firm is proud to be able to support and stand with the Ukrainian people by assisting the Ukrainian government on a pro bono basis.
Press release of the Ukrainian government :
Government of Ukraine Announces the Creation of a Legal Task Force on Accountability for Crimes Committed in Ukraine
The government of Ukraine today announced the formation of a legal Task Force on Accountability for Crimes Committed in Ukraine to support Ukraine in delivering justice for victims of international crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine.
The full statement released by the government of Ukraine is available below and can be accessed here. Biographies of the Task Force members are attached.
The Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Iryna Venediktova, commented: "We are grateful to this esteemed group for their support for Ukraine. Their assistance and guidance will be invaluable in the process of securing justice for Ukrainian victims and rebuilding our state."
The government of Ukraine today announces the formation of a legal Task Force on Accountability for Crimes Committed in Ukraine to support Ukraine in delivering justice for victims of international crimes committed by Russia in our country.
The task force is comprised of some of the world’s leading international human rights lawyers: Amal Clooney, Richard Hermer QC, Tim Otty QC, Philippa Webb, Baroness Helena Kennedy, who also heads the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, and Lord Neuberger, the former President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.
The task force will also include legal experts from U.S. firm Covington & Burling LLP, led by Nikhil Gore, the French firm Sygna Partners, led by Luke Vidal, as well as the Withers firm, led by Emma Lindsay. Each of these firms is already representing Ukraine, including at the International Court of Justice.
The task force will be supported by leading academics in the field of international humanitarian law including Professor Marko Milanovic (University of Nottingham) and Professor Andrew Clapham (Graduate Institute, Geneva) as well as the Centre for International Governance and Dispute Resolution at King’s College London, the Clooney Foundation for Justice and the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute.
All members of the task force and the supporting lawyers and academics will carry out their work on a pro bono basis.
The remit of the task force will encompass advice on proposals for accountability including through the United Nations and regional organisations; advice and potential representation relating to civil and criminal cases (including under universal jurisdiction laws) to secure accountability and reparations in national jurisdictions; and strategic guidance on Ukraine’s cooperation with the International Criminal Court.
Microsoft Corporation will serve as the technology partner to the task force and will provide technological assistance free of charge to help with securing, analysing and sharing evidence of international crimes with appropriate authorities.