In 2003/2004 7 British soldiers from the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment were arrested and charged with causing inhuman treatment to Iraqi prisoners detained in Iraq and neglect of duty.

We acted for our client charged with causing inhuman treatment to the prisoners during the initial guard period. The prisoners were detained over a period of 36 hours and it was alleged that during this period they were hooded, kept in stress positions and beaten.

During the course of the trial it became apparent that the perpetrators were not our client and his co accused, but others tasked with the duty of guarding the prisoners for the remainder of their time there. As a result the presiding Judge agreed that the matter should not continue to trial following submissions made by ourselves at the conclusion of the prosecution case.

The Judge also ordered that the cases against 3 of the other defendants should not proceed. This left 2 other defendants who were tried and later acquitted.