The One Pump Court Crime Team stands in solidarity with Rajiv Menon KC. We welcome the decision of the Court of Appeal dated 12 May 2026, which confirmed that the trial Judge did not have jurisdiction to refer the alleged contempt to the High Court, nor does the Divisional Court have jurisdiction to deal with the matter. In the event that Rajiv is subjected to continued prosecution and/or investigation for contempt of court, we continue to offer our support.

Proceedings were begun against Rajiv for contempt of court following his closing speech in a trial of six Palestine Action activists at Woolwich Crown Court in January 2026. The activists were charged following a direct action protest taken at a factory in Filton, Bristol, belonging to Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest arms manufacturer. The action pre-dated the group’s proscription as a terrorist organisation in July 2025, which has since been found to have been unlawful by the High Court in March 2026.

It is widely understood that the decision to prosecute Rajiv for the contents of his closing speech was without precedent in English legal history. The potential chilling effect of such a step on the ability of defence advocates to speak freely in front of a jury cannot be overstated. The decision to prosecute Rajiv in these circumstances risks undermining defence advocates’ independence, which threatens the fundamentals of justice itself.

Defence advocates function as a constitutional safeguard by fearlessly advancing the interests of their clients. A vital aspect of this role is testing the limits of the Prosecution case, including the limits and boundaries of legal argument. This is foundational to the adversarial system. They must be able to act without fear of reprisal for the contents of their speeches.

Any decision to pursue a prosecution against Rajiv runs the risk of creating a system in which defence advocates self-censor for fear of prosecution; this cannot be allowed to happen. Not only does this risk the independence of defence advocacy, it risks the public’s confidence in a system that must be impartial and fearless in order to function. What is at stake is the most fundamental of principles – the right to a fair trial.

We unequivocally condemn any prosecution and stand in solidarity with Rajiv.

This statement is made on behalf of the One Pump Court Crime Team.