Adam Riley

Adam is developing significant expertise in matters originating from the Commonwealth Caribbean and in appellate work before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. His interest and experience in this area of practice encompasses constitutional law, human rights, judicial review, election law, commercial law, general common law and criminal appeals.

Recent cases includes:

• Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago v JM (A minor by his kin and Next Friend NM) [2022] UKPC 54: led in a successful constitutional challenge on behalf of the appellant who, aged nine, was removed into the custody of the State. The appellant was the victim of abuse in several state institutions. The Board held that the appellant’s rights to the security of the person, protection of the law, and his right not to be subjected to the imposition of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment had been violated. The judgment additionally clarifies the approach that should be taken when awarding vindicatory and compensatory damages for breaches of constitutional rights.
• Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago (Respondent) v Akili Charles (Appellant) (Trinidad and Tobago): The appellant was accused of murder and imprisoned on remand. The preliminary inquiry into the charge was required to be restarted after the elevation of the supervising magistrate to the High Court bench. Led in a successful constitutional challenge asserting that the appellant’s right to protection of the law had been breached as a result.
• Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago (Appellant) v Akili Charles (Respondent) No 2 (Trinidad and Tobago) [2022] UKPC 31: Led in the successful challenge, on behalf of the appellant, concerning the constitutionality of the Bail Act which had provided for the automatic denial of bail to persons charged with murder.
• Suraj and others v Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago [2022] UKPC 26: Led in this appeal concerning the constitutionality of the Coronavirus Regulations 2020, confirming the correct approach to interpretation of the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed in the Trinidad and Tobago Constitution, and the scope of the legislative savings provisions contained in the Constitution.
• Satyanand Maharaj v Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago [2022] UKPC 26: Led in a constitutional challenge to guidelines issued pursuant to local Covid-19 regulations purporting to institute criminal offences regulating the functioning of religious establishments.
• Betaudier (Appellant) v Attornery General of Trinidad and Tobago (Respondent) (Trinidad and Tobago) [2021] UKPC 7: assisting in this appeal concerning the lawfulness of the appellant’s arrest and detention (as a pupil).
• Duncan and Jokhan (Appellants) v Attorngey General of Trinidad and Tobago (Respondent) (Trinidad and Tobago) [2021] UKPC 17: assisting in this appeal concerning whether there was a violation of the appellants’ rights under section 4(a) of the Constitution not to be deprived of liberty and security of the person except by due process of law (as a pupil).

Adam has a particular interest in legal developments in the Commonwealth Caribbean and has written articles for both the Jamaican Bar Association Journal as well as for the Commonwealth Lawyers Association Journal.