Ibrahim Olabi
Associate Member
Called 2008
Following Ibrahim’s appointment as “Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary and permanent representative of the Syrian Arab Republic to the United Nations in New York” on 19th August 2025, Ibrahim is no longer accepting instructions as a practising barrister.
Introduction
Ibrahim Olabi is a barrister with specialized international law knowledge and experience, with a focus on the Middle East. He works both on international legal cases and lobbying, as well as advocating on policy matters linked to the region. Ibrahim makes regular media appearance and has been interviewed by the BBC, CNN, The Guardian, The Financial Times, Aljazeera and Al-Arabiya. He is an alumnus of the University of Oxford, where he deepened his knowledge in public policy.
Ibrahim received personal invitations from Heads of States, delivered statements in international forums such as the United Nations Security Council, and regularly engages with policymakers in different capitals around the world on justice related issues relevant to the Middle East.
Derek has extensive judicial experience, including as an arbitrator (both as sole arbitrator and arbitral chair). He is an experienced mediator, including in commercial, employment and succession disputes.
When in practice, Derek was a busy litigation lawyer, dealing with civil and criminal cases of all types, shapes and sizes, pleading in numerous courts, and instructing counsel in some of the Supreme Courts in Scotland, as well as in the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London.
Current work
Part of the legal team advising the Government of the Netherlands on its action to hold Syria accountable over breaches of the Torture Convection, a case which might end up before the International Court of Justice.
Developing tools to address Syria’s readmittance to INTERPOL to mitigate the risk on human rights defenders
Building international judicial initiatives to hold perpetrators to account for the use of Chemical Weapons in Syria
Working with The Metropolitan Police Counterterrorism Unit (SO15) on crimes linked to Syria.
Previous experience
Founder of the Syrian Legal Development Programme (SLDP). SLDP has provided legal expertise to Syrian NGOs, including training that Ibrahim delivered to more than 550 trainees on a range of complex legal issues surrounding forced displacement, torture, UN mechanisms, facilitation of humanitarian aid and other matters. He has trained both in Syria, near the front lines, and in neighbouring countries. SLDP also works on matters related to Business and Human rights, including sanctions, and has received funding from the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Dutch Ministry.
Legal consultant on Syria related matters for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the crimes of forced displacement.
Legal consultant for The International Bar Association on building the capacity of NGOs on UN human rights mechanisms
Education
Master of Public Policy, University of Oxford (2021-2022)
Bar Practice Training Course, University of Law (2016-2018)
LLM, Security and International Law, University of Manchester (2014 – 2015)
LLB, University of Manchester (2011-2014)
Memberships
The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple
Appointments and Awards
The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple Benefactors Bar Scholarship - 2016
Distinguished Achievement Award: Postgraduate Student of the Year by the Chancellor of the University of Manchester – 2015
Distinguished Achievement Award: Undergraduate Student of the Year by the President of the University of Manchester - 2014
Expertise
Public international law
International criminal law
International human rights law
International humanitarian law
Languages
English (Native)
Arabic (Native)
German (Limited working proficiency)