A leading human rights barrister has won a Court of Appeal bid over his referral for contempt of court during his closing speech in the trial of Palestine Action activists. Rajiv Menon KC was accused of misleading the jury and ignoring the directions of the trial judge when representing one of the six people who invaded the UK site of Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems at a trial in January. Mr Justice Johnson, who oversaw the criminal trial, asked the High Court to consider whether Mr Menon’s actions amounted to contempt of court in what are believed to be the first proceedings brought against a barrister in respect of a jury speech. In March, Lord Justice Edis, sitting as a High Court judge, ruled Mr Menon should be given a summons for a hearing over the allegations of contempt. Mr Menon appealed against this decision, arguing that the High Court did not have the power to consider the case and make these orders.…