John Philpot is a senior criminal litigation attorney. Member of the Barreau du Québec since 1984, he has practiced Criminal Law in Montreal since 1984 and International Criminal Law since 1998.

International Law

John has pioneered litigation in International Criminal Law. He conducted the Appeal of Mr. Jean-Paul Akayesu, the first person convicted at trial of genocide at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) .
John has been a key player in the fundamental struggle for the right to counsel of choice in International Criminal Law. In 1998 and 1999, after a nine-day hunger strike by Mr Akayesu and a three-day strike in solidarity by twenty-five accused, the litigation in the Appeals Chamber granted Mr Akayesu the right to be represented by John Philpot (link). In spite of being excluded by the Registry in September 1998, ten months later, the Appeals Chamber ordered the Registry to appoint John as lead counsel for Mr Akayesu retroactively.
Since 2002, John has represented Mr. Protais Zigiranyirazo, brother-in-law of the assassinated President of Rwanda, Mr. Juvenal Habyarimana. It is a politically driven prosecution against a man who, according to evidence, is above reproach who was accused simply because he was a leading member of the family of the late President.
John has been an expert witness in International Human Rights Law and has organized several missions and colloquia in the area of International Rights.
It is important for lawyers to speak up about fundamental injustice concerning issues such as the right to a fair trial.
John is convinced that many people accused in International Criminal Law and particularly at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda are fundamentally innocent and are the targets of politically motivated and often biased prosecution. Such issues must be raised in Court and in public forums.
John is Legal Advisor to the ADAD, the Defence Lawyers Association at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. He has written about International Law and lectured on International Criminal Law, the latest being in The Hague in May 2006 at the Conference on issues held by the International Criminal Court.

In Quebec, in Canada

His wide ranging practice in Quebec and Canada covers the following areas:

  • Crimes against persons
  • Economic crime
  • Crime in immigration law
  • Cross border crime
  • Murder and criminal negligence causing death
  • Narcotic importation
  • Trafficking
  • Municipal law
  • Alcohol and driving related offences
  • Political cases
  • Extradition
  • Bail applications
  • Appellate law
  • Tax evasion and related problems
  • Tax investigations

John has conducted many judge alone trials and several jury trials in Quebec. He has also worked in Ontario under the limited reciprocal right to practice in Ontario.
John was counsel for Gorka Perea Salazar whom Spain sought to extradite to serve a sentence for alleged crimes committed in the Basque Country. He was also counsel for Miguel Angel Rodriguez Orejuela, allegedly of the Cali cartel in Columbia whom Canada unsuccessfully sought to extradite. (Canadian Law)
In defending an accused person, the primary aim is to obtain a full acquittal. A secondary aim is to reduce the charges and eliminate many of the problems related to a criminal conviction. Criminal charges have serious consequences for professional careers, immigration and citizenship and international travel. A minor problem can have devastating consequences. John has successfully litigated many of the leading cases in sentencing, allowing individuals to have access to the United States or avoid deportation from Canada. (Canadian Law).
It is also important to avoid charges. When a person is faced with possible charges, it is essential for him or her to contact a lawyer who might be able to prevent the laying of charges or provide advice on the advisability of making a statement.
Criminal defence begins when the events happen. Developing a clear strategy is often the means of eliminating the problem or reducing the consequences.
John and his team are always available to provide immediate personal attention. John greatly values the client attorney relationship. Mutual confidence and exchange are the key to success. The principle of the right to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence are primary considerations.

He was Secretary General of the American Association of Jurists from 1994 to 1997 and Associate Secretary General from 1997 to 2000.
Before his legal career, John was a professor of mathematics at Vanier College and was active in the CEGEP teacher’s union (VCTA and FNEQ), particularly on legal issues.
John has a network of professional contacts in Canada, the United States, Latin America, Europe, and Africa.