Meghan Curran acted for one of the five defendants known as the ‘Barclays 5’ at trial and in subsequent legal argument before the Recorder of Preston concerning whether the defendants should be sentenced on the basis of a terrorist connection.

The case arose from action taken at a Barclays branch in Burnley, involving damage to the property, including broken windows and paint being thrown. At trial, the defendants gave evidence that they acted in protest against Barclays’ investment in Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest arms manufacturer.

Following legal argument heard on Friday, the Recorder of Preston ruled that the damage caused did not meet the threshold required for the defendants to be sentenced as terrorists.

Meghan was instructed by Nicky Hall and Simon Pook of Robert Lizar Solicitors. Kitan Ososami acted for another of the defendants at trial.

The case has attracted significant media attention, including coverage in The Guardian:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/aug/21/palestine-action-barclays-five-will-not-be-sentenced-as-terrorists