The Legal 500

Blackstone Chambers’ barristers are at the forefront of all sides of human rights law, and possess the government’s chief advocate, the “Treasury Devil”, James Eadie QC. Dinah Rose QC has shaped developing areas of the law in mental health and human rights, leading for Liberty in Savage. Rose also led Ben Jaffey in the ongoing Binyam Mohamed litigation. Michael Fordham QC, who led Emma Dixon on Kay v Metropolitan Police is a strong choice on policing matters. Lord Pannick QC is a ‘first-rate advocate‘ with notable court appearances. Both Pannick and Fordham were instructed on leading anti-terrorism case AF and others against the Home Office. Fellow silks, Michael Beloff QC, Sir Ian Brownlie QC, and Mark Shaw QC are ‘very strongly recommended‘. Monica Carss-Frisk QC is ‘technically brilliant‘ in submissions. New recommendation John Howell QC is ‘astute, incisive and sound‘. Catherine Callaghan and Shaheed Fatima are excellent juniors.

Doughty Street Chambers styles itself as being ‘at the heart of human rights‘. That pitch is confirmed by recommendations for seven leading and eleven junior counsel. Expertise in mental health, police cases immigration and extradition places its barristers in developing law in these areas. Edward Fitzgerald CBE QC, James Wood QC and Heather Williams QC, and junior Stephen Cragg, have ‘made a real speciality out of IPCC cases‘. Patrick O’Connor QC and juniors Paul Bowen, Ruth Brander, Caoilfhionn Gallagher, Alison Gerry also have expertise in civil actions against the police. Geoffrey Robertson QC’s record on leading freedom of expression cases makes him one of the most ‘celebrated‘ silks in this area. Phillippa Kaufmannn is a leading choice for the central areas of prisoners’ rights, police law, deaths in custody, and mental health law. Kate Markus, Henrietta Hill, John Jones, Robert Latham and Alison Gerry are also strong junior barristers.

Clients of premier human rights set Matrix Chambers reserve particular praise for ‘first-rate clerking‘. First-tier silk Rabinder Singh QC continues to show ‘real strength‘ on human rights cases with a constitutional bent, and that test the limits of jurisdiction and application of the Human Rights Act. Singh QC, along with Ben Emmerson QC, Raza Husain and Alex Bailin, has been at the centre of cases that have shaped the law on terrorism, privacy and defence. Tim Owen QC has an excellent track record ranging from security-related cases to mental health, and the actions of the police. Clare Montgomery QC has a genuine expertise in extradition and genocide cases. Rhodri Thompson QC is an advocate of wide experience. Matrix Chambers’ strength in depth is confirmed by the good reputations of their juniors, including Danny Friedman, Helen Mountfield, Jessica Simor, David Wolfe, Samantha Knights, James Laddie and Daniel Squires.

Garden Court Chambers includes many barristers who are ‘superb‘ for immigration-related cases and ‘very good indeed‘ for civil liberties work. Joint head of chambers Owen Davies QC and Courtenay Griffiths QC feature heavily in high profile crime-related cases. Owen is an especially strong choice for extradition cases. Mark Muller QC has a good track record on international human rights test cases. Of the juniors, Terry Munyard and Leslie Thomas are strong choices for civil actions against the police. Stephanie Harrison majors on discrimination issues, and Richard Harvey has done standout work in international criminal tribunals. Claims against public bodies are Stephen Simblet’s forte. Kathryn Cronin is ‘absolutely superb‘ on cases involving family, children and immigration, where the human rights element is of central importance.

Brick Court Chambers has strong appellate expertise. Richard Gordon QC has an excellent record in House of Lords and ECHR cases, including a landmark case on retention of DNA by the police. David Anderson QC has also shown himself highly capable on ECHR cases, with more than 30 appearances to his name. Martin Chamberlain is a Special Advocate in terrorism cases. Jemima Stratford’s record includes handling cases on torture and the legality of the Iraq War.

Tooks Chambers wins plaudits for its ‘friendly and open clerks‘ and ‘prompt‘ responses when instructions are accepted. Michael Mansfield QC’s international war crimes work stands out. Of the juniors, Hugh Southey ‘continues to impress‘ with his ‘analytical ability‘ and ‘success rates‘ on HRA compatibility cases. Of the juniors, Amanda Weston ‘has a wealth of experience‘ and ‘a good tactical approach‘, whilst Martin Soorjoo and Paul Troop cover a wide range of civil liberties and human rights work.

39 Essex Street’s Nigel Pleming QC is a highly experienced advocate with wide experience. Fenella Morris at 39 Essex Street has an ‘excellent reputation‘ for her handling of any case on continuing care, judicial review and mental health. Recent cases include R (Murphy) v Salford PCT.

At 11KBW, Joanne Clement is recommended for education-related cases, whilst Ben Hooper features for constitutional and regulatory matters. Jason Coppel, has acted for intervening parties and public bodies at all levels. The set blends central and local government expertise with strong HRA defence credentials.

1 Chancery Lane barristers Edward Faulks QC, Andrew Warnock, and Edward Bishop have an excellent track record of acting for public bodies, including the police, on cases with a substantial human rights element. Faulks has led Bishop in important House of Lords cases, including Van Colle. Warnock’s cases for local authorities include A v Essex County Council.

3 Hare Court’s James Dingemans QC is a highly respected authority on constitutional cases. Fellow silks James Guthrie QC and Peter Knox QC have an outstanding reputation on Privy Council cases.

Monckton Chambers Piers Gardner, Ian Rogers and Tim Ward play to chambers’ recognised strength on all European law matters. This includes strength in EHCR litigation, in which court members of chambers have appeared regularly.

4-5 Gray’s Inn Square's Richard Clayton QC is a 'knowledgeable and insightful' lawyer. Juniors Charles Bourne and James Strachan act across all areas of public law, including local government.

Hardwicke Barbara Hewson is strong on healthcare regulation and ECHR cases. John McKendrick is recommended for education cases with an HRA element.

Also recommended are 20 Essex Street’s Timothy Otty QC for all public law matters, and Stephen Solley QC at Charter Chambers for terrorist cases. Essex Court Chambers’ Tim Eicke is recommended for any case with a European dimension. Cloisters’ Robin Allen QC is rated for all civil liberties work. Leading criminal set, 25 Bedford Row offer Diana Ellis QC, for extradition work, and Alan Newman QC for constitutional and Privy Council cases.