Syed Rahman’s opinions sought on the Supreme Court’s upholding of sanctions on Eugene Shvidler

Syed Rahman’s assessment was requested by media outlets after the Supreme Court’s ruling that upheld sanctions against US-British billionaire Eugene Shvidler.

Syed told Law360: "There is no doubt that this judgment will embolden the government.

“There is an obvious risk here that the U.K. sanctions regime becomes an instrument of reputational punishment, without the checks and balances our legal system is known for.’’

He added that the Supreme Court's decision raised questions about whether the U.K. would see a rise in political sanctions "dressed up in the language of human rights law."

"There is a broader principle at stake here," he said. "If the principle of proportionality becomes rhetorical — and precision gives way to symbolism — then the U.K. risks abandoning any sense of legal nuance in favour of the very broad brush of geopolitics."

Syed also shared his concerns with The Law Society Gazette, saying the verdict “sends a chilling message to foreign nationals, however loosely they may be connected to Russia.’’

He added: “It has to be asked whether the Supreme Court’s decision amounts to giving carte blanche to political sanctions rather than to principled human rights jurisprudence.’’

The full articles can be read here.

Law360 (subscription required)

The Law Society Gazette 

Featured at: Law360