Dr Andreas O’Shea
Dr Andreas O’Shea is a highly experienced defence barrister specialising in serious criminal cases. Known for his meticulous command of facts and legal principles, he quickly masters complex briefs and provides clear, strategic guidance. His work spans numerous jurisdictions, including the handling of exceptionally intricate international cases.
Dr O’Shea has defended clients facing some of the most serious criminal allegations, including genocide, crimes against humanity, murder, multiple rape, terrorism, drug and human trafficking, immigration offences, firearms charges and domestic & international tax fraud.
Fluent in French and deeply familiar with diverse cultures and legal systems, he excels in cases involving international elements or foreign nationals. His ability to illuminate cultural and contextual nuances helps juries and courts better understand complex cross-border issues.
A tenacious and skilful advocate, Dr O’Shea inspires confidence in his clients by mounting fearless, effective, and persuasive defences. An international lawyer par excellence, he specialises in international crime, transitional justice, and European law, particularly in the areas of criminal, employment, and immigration law. HHe remains at the forefront of legal developments through his ongoing work as a lecturer and researcher at the University of West London
Renowned as the advocate of choice in cross-border cases, Dr O’Shea brings together international expertise, refined advocacy skills, and unwavering determination. In domestic proceedings, he is particularly suited to cases involving extradition, immunity, human trafficking, immigration offences, drug trafficking, money laundering, international fraud, bribery of foreign officials, terrorism, and war crimes.
Among the most experienced war crimes advocates worldwide, his career has closely followed the evolution of modern international criminal law – beginning with his notable success in securing the acquittal of the former Rwandan Minister of Education on charges of genocide.
Cases
Criminal Defence
R v Sterling (firearms)
R v Dalton (international VAT fraud)
R v Lahooty (immigration crime)
R v Pooraliasgari (immigration crime)
R v Koupos – (Immigration crime)
R v Story (drug trafficking)
R v Oringa (drug trafficking)
R v Morgan (drug trafficking)
R v White (drug trafficking)
R v Mensah (drug trafficking)
R v Dowdie (drug importation)
Court of Appeal
R v M(K) (modern slavery burden of proof)
R v Xhediku (bad character burden of proof)
R v Bani et al [2021] EWCA Crim 1958 (immigration crime: small boats)
R v Dalton (international jurisdiction: ne bis in idem)
International Crime
Prosecutor v Merhi (Lebanon tribunal)– terrorism – bombing of Prime Minister Hariri
Prosecutor v Rwamakuba (ICC) – Minister of Health – murder, crimes against humanity, genocide
Prosecutor v Gbagbo (ICC) – President of Ivory Coast – crimes against humanity
Prosecutor v Bikindi (ICTR) – Singer and composer – incitement of genocide
Prosecutor v Gbao (STSL) – head internal security RUF – murder, hostage taking
Prosecutor v Katanga (ICC) – militia leader- murder, crimes against humanity
Transitional Justice
He is a leading expert in transitional justice. His expertise is called upon in unusual issues in transitional societies. He represented ICC staff detained and subsequently released in Libya. He advised truth commissions, notably in South Africa and Burundi, represented applicants for amnesty and drafted the international law section of the South African TRC report. He argued the legality of amnesty before the Appeals Chamber of the Special Court for Sierra Leone and engaged in negotiations for an accused on the interaction between Sierra Leone’s TRC and the Special Court.
EU and European human rights law: crime, employment and immigration BREXIT ushering in an uncertain future, he is well suited to assist with issues of European criminal law, free movement and employment. He can accept instructions in proceedings before the Court of Justice and EU Commission, appeals, judicial reviews, employment claims and immigration appeals.
In the parallel arena of human rights, he offers assistance in domestic and international proceedings, providing representation before the European Court of Human Rights. He assists with domestic proceedings before foreign courts, working in conjunction with foreign lawyers.
He is also registered to practice in Malta.
Professional Memberships
- European Circuit and the European Immigration Lawyers Network
Publications
- His book Amnesty for Crime in International Law and Practice, 2002, is one of the most comprehensive and widely read works on the subject and was described by renowned Professor John Dugard SC as ‘essential reading for scholars and practitioners’.