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  1. Civil liberties and human rights – Leading Sets
  2. Civil liberties and human rights – Leading Silks
  3. Civil liberties and human rights – New Silks
  4. Civil liberties and human rights – Leading Juniors

Civil liberties and human rights – Leading Silks

Civil liberties and human rights – Leading Juniors

Blackstone Chambers is ‘one of the leading sets’, with big names such as Michael Beloff QC, an ‘exceptionally erudite and persuasive orator’ who ‘enchants the court whenever he rises to his feet’; and Maurice Mendelson QC, who has ‘unparalleled knowledge of human rights issues’. Mark Shaw QC’s ‘approach in conference is superb’, and Dinah Rose QC’s ‘ability to think on her feet and find an answer to any question’ makes her ‘compelling to watch’. James Eadie QC is ‘phenomenal’, and Pushpinder Saini QC is ‘frighteningly intelligent, with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the relevant law’. Recommended juniors include the ‘fantastic’ Ben Jaffey, Tom Hickman and Iain Steele, who is ‘a real asset to any legal team’.

‘One of the best sets’ in this arena, Doughty Street Chambers’ leading silks include Edward Fitzgerald CBE QC, who is ‘phenomenal’ and ‘just the kind of silk that anyone would want on their side’; and Phillippa Kaufmann QC, who is ‘razor sharp and completely devoted to her cases’. New silk Paul Bowen QC has ‘unparalleled expertise in the representation of people with disabilities’. Star junior Caoilfhionn Gallagher is ‘passionate about the work that she does’, Robert Latham is a ‘tenacious and assertive litigator’ with ‘a fine eye for detail’, and Kate Markus is ‘very effective at honing in on key issues in a case’. Quincy Whitaker is ‘very committed and personable, taking on and winning cases that other barristers might dismiss’.

Matrix Chambers’ prominent silks include Tim Owen QC, who has ‘the ability to respond quickly and intelligently to questions thrown at him from the bench’; and Aidan O’Neill QC, who is ‘unrivalled in his depth and breadth of knowledge in the civil liberties field’. At junior level, Danny Friedman is ‘energetic, very dedicated and innovative in his thinking’, Jessica Simor is ‘one of the best human rights lawyers in the country’, and Nick Armstrong ‘carries with him the toolkit of a solicitor, an academic and a barrister’. James Laddie QC is ‘first choice for challenging discrimination cases’.

Brick Court Chambers’ standout barristers include Richard Gordon QC, a ‘very astute lawyer who reads a court well’, and the renowned David Anderson QC. Junior Martin Chamberlain is ‘clearly an expert on human rights law’, as is the ‘fiercely bright and hardworking’ Maya Lester.

Garden Court Chambers has an excellent track record in high-profile cases. Leslie Thomas is ‘quite simply the best advocate for jury-led inquest cases’, Colin Hutchinson is ‘very good with clients’, and Stephanie Harrison ‘always has the best interests of her lay clients at the forefront of her thinking’. Stephen Simblet has ‘invaluable trial experience, and is one of the first ports of call in civil police action claims’.

Tooks Chambers’ recommended silks include Hugh Southey QC, who ‘defines tough, but is fair as an opponent’, and Michael Mansfield QC. At junior level, Patrick Roche provides ‘enormously comprehensive advice on novel and extremely complex areas of law’, Amanda Weston’s ‘unflappable judgement and increasing experience make her a top choice’, and Paul Troop is ‘exceptionally thorough on complex issues’. Adam Straw ‘commands respect from judges and fellow advocates alike despite being relatively junior’, and is ‘very good at spotting novel points of law which push the envelope’.

1 Chancery Lane’s clerks ‘provide a top-rate service and always call you back’. Lord Faulks QC is highly respected in this area, as is Andrew Warnock QC, who recently took silk. Among the juniors, Julian Waters is ‘very good and professional’, and Geoffrey Weddell is ‘great with clients, easy to deal with, but nevertheless forceful in his presentation of a case’. Paul Stagg is ‘effective and focused’, and Laura Johnson is ‘very professional, excellent on paper and good with witnesses’.

Thirty Nine Essex Street’s big hitters include Nigel Pleming QC, whose ‘advocacy skills are first rate and who can speak to judges on their level’; and Jenni Richards QC, whose ‘depth of knowledge in public and human rights law is astonishing’. New silk Fenella Morris QC is ‘a good person to go to for Court of Protection matters’.

4-5 Gray’s Inn Square regularly takes on cases for both claimants and defendants. Highlights included Richard Clayton QC’s representation of the claimant in an important Court of Appeal case concerning the impact of Article 8 on the right to medical treatment; and Charles Bourne*’s representation of the Home Secretary in defending government policy concerning the detention of migrant children.* The ‘tenacious and ingenious’ Christopher Buttler is also recommended. *Charles Bourne is now at 11KBW.

At 3 Hare Court, head of chambers James Dingemans QC has ‘great judgement’ and ‘will fiercely fight his client’s corner’. Peter Knox QC is ‘particularly good in difficult cases, finding an argument where other barristers would give up’, and ‘shines in appellate courts’. Navjot Atwal is ‘charming and articulate, and very knowledgeable in his specialist areas’. Robert Strang is rated for ‘his ability to marshal complex facts and to write them with great clarity’.

11KBW’s key silks include Clive Lewis QC. Among its excellent juniors, Jason Coppel’s ‘modest courtroom style belies his powerhouse intellect’, and the ‘professional and responsive’ Joanne Clement provides ‘excellent-quality service’. Deok Joo Rhee is ‘extremely able, works hard, and has a sophisticated but practical approach to legal analysis’.

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