Who? Justin Hugheston-Roberts, 46-year-old equity partner and solicitor-advocate at Wolverhampton firm Rose, Williams & Partners, who specialises in military law.

Why is he in the news? Represents Flight-Lieutenant Malcolm Kendall-Smith, the RAF officer who could be jailed for refusing to return to serve in Iraq because he believes the war there was illegal. He is to be court-martialled for refusing to obey a lawful command after he told his commanding officer he would not go to Basra. The officer from RAF Kinloss in Morayshire, who has been decorated for two tours in Iraq, is the first British officer to face criminal charges for challenging the legality of the war.


Background: Completed four-year articles at Northamptonshire firms Leo Coulston & Co and Toller Hales & Collcutt. After qualifying in 1986, he left the law and became a timber broker. Returning to legal work, he joined Banbury firm Henmans, became a solicitor-advocate in 1996, and moved to his current firm as an equity partner in 2002. He has conducted courts martial around the world and is secretary of the newly established Association of Military Court Advocates.


Route to the case: 'The client asked us to represent him because we specialise in military law.'


Thoughts on the case: 'Flight-Lieutenant Kendall-Smith will say that he refused to deploy to the Gulf on operational duties because to do so would not be lawful - he questions the legality of the war, particularly the invasion and occupation of Iraq. It is going to be a case that will raise very substantial and profound questions of international law and jurisprudence. It is the most important case that has come before the courts in a lifetime and it is the first time that we will be seeking a judicial ruling, to a criminal standard, of this country's actions. It is an awesome case, which is extremely thought-provoking and of overwhelming importance to so many people, and in particular to my client.'


Dealing with the media: 'I am very fortunate to have dealt with the media over the last three or four years due to the cases I have dealt with. [Mr Hugheston-Roberts represented Mohsin Khan, the Muslim reservist disciplined after refusing to serve in Iraq because of his religious beliefs, and families of soldiers who have died or alleged they were bullied at Catterick barracks.] I am used to press coverage - but the coverage on this case has been overwhelming. The most important thing is to deal with the media openly, honestly and with total professionalism, which is what I have always sought to do. On this case I have had to deliberately hold back, as it is a live court case, and the media has respected this.'