Bell Yard Clients

"NatWest 3": Bermingham, Mulgrew & Darby

Bermingham, Mulgrew & Darby * - v - Director of Serious Fraud Office (Judicial Review): Representing the three former NatWest executives facing extradition to the US, in both their Judicial Review of the decision of the Director of the SFO not to investigate the three for alleged fraud and in their extradition appeal.

At the outset of Bell Yard's involvement in August 2004, the media perception was one of three alleged fraudsters trying to escape justice. As a result of repeated and detailed media briefings and political lobbying, together with tactical third party endorsement, the perception has evolved to one of three former bankers pleading guilty to one count of conflict of interest in the face of prolonged and disproportionate disruption to their family lives as a result of an unfair and non-reciprocal extradition treaty, misguidedly negotiated by the UK government.

As a direct result of this case, the business community has now woken up to the dangers of the 2003 Extradition Act. A raft of cases follow in the footsteps of the 'NatWest 3', following their unsuccessful hearings in the Magistrates Court, Court of Appeal, Judicial Review and the refusal of the House of Lords to hear matters which opponents of the Extradition Act consider to be of genuine public interest.

Melanie Riley was responsible for ensuring the media were fully briefed on each of the legal rulings and their implications. She remains active, on a pro-bono basis, until such time as she and others are successful in ensuring the amendments to the Extradition Act 2003 are brought into statute.

Melanie was also responsible for working with prominent entrepreneur Karl Watkin MBE to arrange a protest march to the Home Office by business people concerned by the current US/UK extradition arrangements, which attracted around 200 attendees and secured over 400 signatories to the petition to the Home Office, and secured prime time television and national coverage.

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