Guy Martin

Head of the international law department at Carter-Ruck, specializing in complex litigation in the courts of England, the EU, before the UN Ombudsperson and other international tribunals. Spearheaded the department from a standing start to one “Renowned for its distinct expertise in sanctions against states and targeted asset freezing against individuals, and for its involvement in highly sensitive cases. Strong track record in the Middle East and Africa, notably in matters relating to the Arab Spring” (Chambers Directory (2015). Described by Legal 500 as “excellent” for his “intelligence and skills”, Guy acts for clients from all over the world in cases involving human rights. Clients include entities/ individuals challenging “targeted sanctions”: by judicial review, direct actions for annulment to the EU court in Luxembourg, before the UN Ombudsperson, OFAC etc. Guy led the team for Saudi businessman Sheikh Yassin Abdullah Kadi securing a landmark decision of the ECJ which struck down EU asset freezing regulations on the ground they breached Mr. Kadi’s fundamental rights. Achieved the delisting of Yassin Kadi in October 2012 by the UN Sanctions Committee and in November 2014 by OFAC. Winner of an open scholarship to read Natural Sciences at Pembroke College, Cambridge. Articled at Herbert Smith, Guy qualified in 1985, winning the prized seat in Herbert Smith’s Hong Kong Office. Guy joined Carter-Ruck in 1988, made partner in 1990. In the heyday of defamation law trained by Peter Carter-Ruck in sensitive litigation involving injunctions/ damages. Regular speaker on sanctions law at international seminars. Member of Chatham House, the British Institute of International and Comparative Law, the British Literary and Copyright Association and British Iranian Chamber of Commerce. Author of articles for The Times, Investment Week etc. Travelled as part of business delegation to Tehran in October 2015. Regular TV/ radio: Channel 4 News, Today Programme, Front Row