Seán Binder
Call: 2024
“This is an excellent set that has worked hard to secure a well-deserved position amongst the leading sets at the Criminal Bar.”
Chambers UK Bar, 2022
Personal profile
Seán built a foundation in defence and prosecution during his first six by assisting his supervisors, Genevieve Reed and Jack Talbot, in complex cases including murder, rape, conspiracy to supply class A drugs and fraud.
He comes to the Bar with a strong academic background having graduated with Distinctions in his GDL and bar exams. Previously he studied Philosophy, Political Science, Economics and Sociology at Trinity College Dublin and International Relations at the London School of Economics. He has won several academic prizes and scholarships.
Seán’s journey to the Criminal Bar began when he was detained in pre-trial detention for what Human Rights Watch described as “the criminalisation of saving lives.” He was arrested following his coordination of civilian maritime search and rescue efforts in the North Aegean Sea in 2017-18. The charges against him have been broadly condemned, including by the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights Defenders, Amnesty International, and prominent members of the Bar of England and Wales. Since this experience, Seán has been advocating for justice and the rule of law in Europe.
Education
- BVS, City Law School (2024) – Distinction
- GDL, London Metropolitan (2023) – Distinction
- MSc International Relations Theory, London School of Economics (2017) – Merit
- BSc Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Sociology, Trinity College Dublin (2016) – First Class Honours
Awards
Scholarships
• Ann Goddard Scholarship (Pupillage) – The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn
• Prince of Wales Scholarship (bar course) – The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn
• Edmund James Lawson Scholarship (GDL) – The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn
• JUSTICE Scholarship – Kalisher Trust
• BVS Scholarship – City Law School
Academic prizes
• GDL Prize for Top Graduating Student – LMU
• Mansfield Law Prize for Outstanding Academic Achievement – LMU
• Mansfield Law Prize for Outstanding Contribution to the University – LMU
• Mansfield Law Pro Bono Prize – LMU
• Lady Oliver Mooting Cup
• CPE Moot Prize – LMU
• Book Prize – TCD
Civil and human rights recognition
• Democracy Award – Ordfront Förlag
• Honorary Council Member – Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union
Memberships
- The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn
- Criminal Bar Association
Publications
- Binder et al, “The ambivalence of solidarity and the language of law.” American Journal of International Law Unbound. Volume 119, 2025.
- Binder and Conte, “Strategic litigation: the role of the EU and international law in criminalising humanitarianism.” RESOMA. July 2019.
- Binder and Levoy, “Sea Watch: Lack of EU action is criminalising solidarity.” EU Observer. July 2019.
Languages
- English
- Irish
- German