Wikipedia

Richard Hermer

Richard Simon Hermer KC (born September 1968)[1] is a British barrister who has served as Attorney General for England and Wales and Advocate General for Northern Ireland since July 2024.[2][3][4] He is due to be conferred a life peerage.[3]

Richard Hermer
KC
Official portrait, 2024
Attorney General for England and Wales
Advocate General for Northern Ireland
Assumed office
5 July 2024
Prime MinisterKeir Starmer
Preceded byVictoria Prentis
Member of the House of Lords
Lord Temporal
Assuming office
TBD
Personal details
Born
Richard Simon Hermer

September 1968 (age 55)
Wales
Political partyLabour
EducationUniversity of Manchester (BA)

Early life and education

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Hermer was born and raised in Wales, and attended Cardiff High School.[5] He is from a "blue-box" Jewish family.[6] He studied politics and modern history at the University of Manchester.[7] He is a former sabbatical officer of the Union of Jewish Students.[8]

Career

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Hermer was called to the bar in October 1993,[9] and was appointed Queen's Counsel (QC) in 2009.[4] He previously worked for Doughty Street Chambers before he moved to work for Matrix Chambers.[8]

In November 2019, Hermer was appointed a Deputy High Court Judge following an open competition by the Judicial Appointments Commission.[10]

Attorney General

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On 5 July 2024, Hermer was appointed Attorney General under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, succeeding Victoria Prentis.[3] His appointment to the position was reported as a surprise,[11][12][13] since Labour MP Emily Thornberry had served in Starmer's shadow cabinet as the Shadow Attorney General.[14][15] In response to the decision,[16] Thornberry said that Hermer was a "much more accomplished lawyer" than she could ever hope to be and that she knew Hermer would do an "outstanding job" in the position.[17][18][19]

Positions

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On Israeli–Palestinian conflict

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Further information: Israeli–Palestinian conflict

In May 2023, Hermer was amongst many lawyers who signed a Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights letter addressed to Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, James Cleverly, which called on the government to constructively participate in the International Court of Justice advisory opinion on the legal consequences of the actions of Israel in occupied Palestinian territory including East Jerusalem.[20]

In July 2023, Hermer stated that he believed that the "continued Israeli occupation of the West bank" was "unlawful, deeply damaging to the interests of Israel and wholly contrary to the values of tikkun olam" which Hermer grew up with and continued to be guided by.[6]

In October 2023, Hermer was amongst eight prominent Jewish lawyers, which included former Supreme Court President Lord Neuberger, who signed an open letter to call on Israel to follow international law in its response to the 7 October attacks.[21] Later that month, in an interview with LBC whilst speaking to Sangita Myska, he said that it was "impossible to conceive" how Israel's siege was "in compliance with international law."[22] He went onto say that "for a very long time" Israel has had "effective control" over the borders of Gaza, who he said were reliant on the "need to have electricity, water and food coming in"; and that the "cutting of that off" was "very, very difficult to reconcile with obligations of international law" and described that as a "deliberate understatement" from him.[22]

Cases

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Begum v Home Secretary

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Further information: Begum v Home Secretary

Hermer acted for Liberty, a human rights group that argued the Court of Appeal had correctly decided to allow Shamima Begum to return to the UK, which was an intervenor in Begum v Home Secretary.[23][24] In written submissions, he said that the deprivation of citizenship was an "extremely draconian power" which could expose Begum to rendition and targeted drone strikes", stating that the consequences could be "fatal."[25][26]

Task-force for Ukraine

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In March 2022, Hermer was appointed to a legal task-force, alongside other leading international human rights lawyers including Lord Neuberger, by the Government of Ukraine on the accountability for crimes committed in Ukraine to deliver for victims of international crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine.[27]

BDS bill

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In July 2023, he acted as an advisor to the Labour Party regarding the proposed Economic Activity of Public Bodies bill.[6] In his opinion which was commissioned by David Lammy and Lisa Nandy,[28] Hermer described Clause 1 of the bill as "appallingly badly drafted" and said that the bill would "stifle free speech at home", and also said that it would have a "profoundly detrimental impact" on the ability of the UK to "protect and promote humans rights overseas."[6][29] Conservative MP, Simon Clarke, whilst addressing Communities Secretary Michael Gove, pointed out in the House of Commons that Hermer had authored a chapter in the book titled "Corporate Complicity in Israel's Occupation: Evidence from the London session of the Russell Tribunal on Palestine", which Clarke said was edited by some "interesting" people Clarke feared "in the most negative sense", and went on to ask if Hermer was really the "calibre of individual" who should have been advising the opposition.[6] In response, Gove said that Hermer had a "record" in the area and a "record of political commitments" which everyone could see "clearly predisposes him towards a political and particular view" on the question.[6] Hermer later responded by stating that the questions inferred that his analysis was somehow influenced by some form of malign intent towards Israel, but Hermer said that "it was not."[6]

Afghan Unlawful Killings inquiry

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Further information: Afghan Unlawful Killings inquiry

In a public inquiry into the killing of 80 civilians by the SAS in Afghanistan, Hermer represented Mansour Aziz and families of the 33 victims.[30][31] On 9 October 2023, in his opening statement on behalf of the families, he said that he would seek to find evidence "capable of suggesting" that the SAS were "applying a practice of unlawfully killing Afghan civilians"; later saying that this meant they were "conducting a campaign of murder" which he said was a "war crime amounting to grave breaches of the Geneva convention."[32][33] He also stated on 11 October that the existence of serious suspicions of extra-judicial killings were "widely known at the highest levels of government … even in 10 downing street."[34][35] Following evidence that the SAS deleted data from its computers which was in breach of promises it had made to the Royal Military Police, Hermer said that it was at best "highly suspicious", and at worst a "patent and criminal attempt to pervert the course of justice."[36]

Gerry Adams damage claims

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In November 2023, Hermer led the legal team and was the barrister for former Sinn Féin President, Gerry Adams, following damage claims of £1 brought against Adams and the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) by victims of bombings.[37] In court, he argued that the PIRA was a "unincorporated association" that was "incapable in law of being sued."[37] In a written case outline to Justice Michael Soole, he also argued against the claims of Adams as a "representative" of the PIRA, but did not argue that entire claims against Adams should be struck out.[38] In January 2024, Justice Soole ruled that the claimants could not sue the PIRA or Adams as a "representative", but could continue in a personal capacity.[39][40]

Personal life

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Hermer is Jewish and is a member of Alyth synagogue.[8] He is fan of Welsh rugby teams.[2] He is a father.[41] In July 2023, he said that he had family members who were currently serving in the Israel Defense forces.[6]

Politics

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Hermer donated £5,000 to Keir Starmer's campaign in the 2020 Labour Party Leadership election.[42]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Richard Simon HERMER personal appointments - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Richard Hermer KC". Matrix Chambers. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "Ministerial Appointments: July 2024". GOV.UK. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Richard Hermer KC appointed as Attorney General". Matrix Chambers. 5 July 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Deputy High Court Judges 2019 - Judicial Appointments Commission". judicialappointments.gov.uk. 2 November 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Percival, Richard. "Labour's BDS-bill adviser accused of having 'political' record on Israel-Palestine". www.thejc.com. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Deputy High Court Judges 2019 - Judicial Appointments Commission". judicialappointments.gov.uk. 2 November 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  8. ^ a b c Harpin, Lee (6 July 2024). "Starmer appoints lawyer who opposed Gove's anti-BDS bill as Attorney General". Jewish News. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  9. ^ Board, The Bar Standards. "Barrister Details - Mr Richard Simon Hermer KC". www.barstandardsboard.org.uk. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  10. ^ "Section 9(4) Deputy High Court Judges". Courts and Tribunals Judiciary. 11 November 2019. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  11. ^ Batty, David; Burkett, Pip; Blight, Garry; Herman, Tara (5 July 2024). "Who are the new Labour cabinet?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  12. ^ Sigsworth, Tim; Penna, Dominic (5 July 2024). "UK General Election live: Starmer appoints KC over Emily Thornberry to Attorney General in Labour Cabinet". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  13. ^ Petrakos, Kyriakos (6 July 2024). "Return of the experts: How Timpson and Vallance will strengthen new Cabinet". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  14. ^ "Who's in Keir Starmer's new cabinet?". BBC News. 5 July 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  15. ^ Steerpike (6 July 2024). "Keir Starmer appoints lawyer who represented Gerry Adams". The Spectator. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  16. ^ Martin, Daniel (8 July 2024). "Thornberry 'surprised' by Starmer Cabinet snub". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  17. ^ "Emily Thornberry dropped as PM announces new ministers". BBC News. 8 July 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  18. ^ "Emily Thornberry 'sorry and surprised' not to be given cabinet role by Starmer". The Guardian. 8 July 2024. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  19. ^ Steerpike (8 July 2024). "Thornberry fumes at Starmer snub". The Spectator. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  20. ^ "UK appoints new attorney general critical of Israeli rights violations". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  21. ^ Hyde2023-10-18T09:03:00+01:00, John. "Leading Jewish lawyers call for Israel to abide by laws of war". Law Gazette. Retrieved 7 July 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ a b "Eminent Jewish lawyers call on Israel to remember its 'international obligations'". LBC. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  23. ^ "Misuse of extreme powers latest threat to Rule of Law, says Liberty following Shamima Begum ruling". Liberty. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  24. ^ "Supreme Court upholds the decision to refuse Shamima Begum leave to enter the UK". Matrix Chambers. 2 March 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  25. ^ "Individuals who join IS pose security risk 'whatever their age', court hears". Yahoo News. 23 November 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  26. ^ "Individuals who join IS pose security risk 'whatever their age', court hears". guernseypress.com. 23 November 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  27. ^ "Government of Ukraine Announces the Creation of a Legal Task Force on Accountability for Crimes Committed in Ukraine | Doughty Street Chambers". www.doughtystreet.co.uk. 29 March 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  28. ^ "Richard Hermer KC publishes opinion on Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill". Matrix Chambers. 3 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  29. ^ Harpin, Lee (3 July 2023). "Top lawyer warns Gove's BDS bill has 'profoundly detrimental impact' on UK human rights stance". Jewish News. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  30. ^ "SAS shot dead two sleeping Afghans in war crime, public inquiry told". The Guardian. 11 October 2023. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  31. ^ Topping, Alexandra (7 July 2024). "Familiar faces but not all from politics: meet the surprise Labour ministers". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  32. ^ "Military crime unit deploys software for 'urgent investigations' after Afghanistan inquiry hears of civilian murders and cover-up". PublicTechnology. 24 October 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  33. ^ jcrawford (10 November 2023). "UK military abuses in Afghanistan: SAS in the firing line". JusticeInfo.net. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  34. ^ NORTON-TAYLOR, RICHARD (12 October 2023). "Whitehall's cover-up of SAS killings in Afghanistan". Declassified Media Ltd. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  35. ^ "Afghanistan inquiry hears senior officers hid SAS killings". BBC News. 11 October 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  36. ^ NORTON-TAYLOR, RICHARD (13 December 2023). "SAS sought to 'cover up' killings of unarmed Afghans". Declassified Media Ltd. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  37. ^ a b "Gerry Adams asks judge to throw out claims against Provisional IRA". BBC News. 21 November 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  38. ^ "Gerry Adams 'trying to stop any attempt to establish links to Provisional IRA'". Yahoo News. 21 November 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  39. ^ Carroll, Rory; correspondent, Rory Carroll Ireland (19 January 2024). "Three IRA victims in England can sue Gerry Adams in personal capacity, judge rules". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  40. ^ Brown, David (6 July 2024). "Gerry Adams can be sued by IRA bombing victims, High Court judge rules". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  41. ^ Tsang, Linda (6 July 2024). "Richard Hermer, QC, who acted for Maha Elgizouli, the mother of one of the Isis 'Beatles'". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  42. ^ "Keir Starmer challenged to publish all campaign donations | Labour party leadership | The Guardian". web.archive.org. 2 December 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
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