Blackstone Chambers has ‘a superlative administrative law and human rights practice‘, noted for its ‘incredible strength in depth‘; the team attracts praise as being ‘exceptionally knowledgeable in relation to public and administrative law issues‘. The set has an excellent reputation for its expertise in providing advice on public law issues within a commercial context. In a prominent case highlight, Tom Hickman KC, Jason Pobjoy and Gayatri Sarathy were part of a team in chambers who represented the claimants before the Divisonal Court in R (HM) v Secretary of State for the Home Department, a challenge to the legality of the government’s secret and blanket policy to seize, search and retain data from the mobile phones of persons arriving the UK by small boats; the court ruled that the policy breached Article 8 ECHR and data protection laws. In another high-profile case, Lord Pannick KC and Monica Carss-Frisk KC appeared before the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal in Q & Tse v Commissioner of Registration, a case concerning the jurisdiction’s policy on the issuance of ID cards to transgender individuals who had not undergone qualifying gender reassignment surgery – the case also involved issues of the jurisdiction’s rules of temporary admission of English barristers. Paul Luckhurst is ‘an excellent litigator with a fierce intellect‘ who is sought after for his strength in human rights law. The senior end of the group was bolstered by the elevation of Tom Richards KC to silk in March 2023. Sir James Eadie KC, in his role as treasury devil, is the government’s first-choice outside barrister.
Administrative law and human rights in
London Bar
Blackstone Chambers
Testimonials
‘Adam Fuschillo and Danny Compton are both outstanding clerks.’
‘Adam Fuschillo is helpful and very approachable.’
‘Very responsive and innovative team led by Gary Oliver.’
‘The clerks are responsive, accommodating and courteous.’
‘Blackstone is the leading public law set in London.’
‘A top-tier chambers.’
‘An outstanding set.’
‘Very well regarded in the public law sphere.’
11KBW
‘A very solid and highly reputable set for administrative law‘, 11KBW‘s team is equally strong in handling complex, high-profile human rights cases, with members appearing before the European Court of Human Rights; Jason Coppel KC counts human rights work as a key pillar of his practice. Joanne Clement KC is ‘a go-to counsel for complex and high-value public law disputes‘ with ‘superb knowledge of human rights‘. At the junior end of chambers, the ‘industrious‘ Christopher Knight represented the Advocate General for Scotland before the Supreme Court in Reference by the Lord Advocate of Devolution Issues under the Scotland Act 1998, involving a devolution reference under Schedule 6 of the Act as to whether the Scottish Parliament had the legislative competence to make provision for a second referendum for independence. Stephen Kosmin is appearing in SSWP v AT, a case concerning whether EU nationals with pre-settled status in the UK are entitled to welfare benefits due to the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Testimonials
‘Lucy Barbet is an impressive senior figure.’
‘Harry Gilson is always very helpful.’
‘11KBW is a leading set in the field with strong advocates at all levels of call.’
‘A pre-eminent public law set.’
‘Experts in the public law field.’
‘A great set.’
‘A well-respected set with strength in depth.’
‘Clerks are responsive and helpful.’
39 Essex Chambers
39 Essex Chambers is home to ‘an incredibly strong team of counsel‘ within the public law arena, with the set acting for a diverse range of public bodies and claimants. Recent work highlights include the ‘super‘ Jenni Richards KC, Catherine Dobson and Stephanie David acting for the claimant in Jennings v Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, involving an application for a declaration that it was lawful for the claimant to use an embryo with a surrogate following the death of the claimant’s wife. The claim was brought on the grounds that preventing the use of the posthumous embryo would act as a breach of the claimant’s Article 8 rights; the High Court permitted the declaration. In a separate matter, Richards KC successfully represented the claimant in R (Timson) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, a judicial review challenge to the DWP’s policy of allowing automatic deductions, without presenting the claimant with an opportunity to make representations, from welfare benefits to pay debts to utility providers. Katherine Apps KC and Nicola Greaney KC were elevated to silk in March 2023.
Testimonials
‘Sheraton Doyle and Peter Campbell are extremely responsive.’
‘Sheraton Doyle is excellent.’
‘Sheraton Doyle is amazing.’
‘Oscar Redif is an excellent clerk, approachable and committed to providing a top service for solicitors.’
‘Peter Campbell is excellent.’
‘39 Essex has a very good depth and breadth of counsel.’
‘Excellent in the field of public law.’
‘A go-to chambers for public law.’
Brick Court Chambers
At Brick Court Chambers
acts on a range of public law matters, straddling work for both humanitarian and business claimants, as well as some public bodies. James McClelland KC represented a Yemeni human rights group in R (CAAT) v Secretary of State for Trade, part of the ongoing litigation seeking to challenge the British government’s sale of arms to Saudi Arabia, which operated a military intervention in Yemen from 2015 until a ceasefire in 2022. Paul Bowen KC and Tim Johnston successfully represented Maples and Calder in a judicial review in the Cayman Islands over the interpretation of the jurisdiction’s 2020 Anti-Money Laundering Rules.
Testimonials
‘Tony Burgess is an absolute superstar.’
‘Tony Burgess is responsive and efficient.’
‘Paul Dennison and Tony Burgess lead a great team.’
‘The clerks provide an excellent service.’
‘Clerks are very response and always proactive.’
‘Brick Court is extremely high quality.’
‘Brick Court is absolutely fantastic.’
‘Great strength in depth.’
Matrix Chambers
Matrix Chambers is ‘a very strong public law and human rights set‘. Claimant work forms the key pillar of the practice, and the set reports an increase in mandates relating to government policies. Jessica Simor KC ‘clearly and concisely articulates complex legal arguments, and she is always prepared to challenge the status quo‘. In recent work for the team, Simor KC led Emma Foubister for the claimants in R (Friends of the Earth Ltd and others) v Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, a judicial review challenging the legality of the Government’s Net Zero Strategy; the High Court ruled that the strategy breached the Government’s obligations under the Climate Change Act. Edward Craven is ‘an exceptional barrister with an incredible mind‘. In a boost to chambers, Nick Armstrong KC, Claire Darwin KC and Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC were all elevated to silk in March 2023.
Testimonials
‘Elizabeth Bousher is exceptionally good at her job.’
‘Simon Gardner, Sarah Walker and Elizabeth Bousher are an essential cog in the Matrix machine.’
‘Elizabeth Bousher, Sarah Walker and Simon Gardner have been absolutely stellar.’
‘Matrix is a top class set.’
‘Matrix is an incredibly strong set with a large number of impressive barristers.’
‘Great breadth and depth on all human rights and public law.’
‘Leading human rights chambers.’
‘Counsel provide high calibre advice and advocacy.’
Doughty Street Chambers
Doughty Street Chambers is a ‘leading human rights set‘ which is also noted for its ‘strong reputation for public law‘. The team of ‘high calibre counsel‘ is well known for its strength in acting for claimants in a wide range of high-profile judicial reviews and complex human rights, administrative and constitutional cases. The ‘highly respected‘ Edward Fitzgerald KC recently appeared before the Privy Council in Attorney General v Rolle, a case concerning citizenship rights for children born in The Bahamas to unmarried parents. Joe Middleton KC, who took silk in 2023, is well versed in advising on cases concerning constitutional challenges to the death penalty in multiple African countries. In another matter, Jamie Burton KC is acting in a judicial review concerning the Secretary of State’s policy about the height of kerbs, contending the policy does not require high enough kerbs for guide dog and white cane users.
Testimonials
‘Grace Walton and Sian Wilkins are excellent.’
‘Grace Walton is always helpful.’
‘Grace Walton is outstanding.’
‘Brilliant for public law.’
‘Very impressive set.’
‘Great chambers for civil liberties work.’
‘Very reputable chambers.’
‘An excellent choice for human rights and public law claims.’
Garden Court Chambers
Garden Court Chambers is regarded by many as a ‘leading human rights set‘, and has an excellent track record in representing claimants in complex cases across the public law arena, more broadly as well as in specialised areas such as social housing and immigration. Amanda Weston KC garners praise as ‘an outstanding silk in this area‘ and ‘a very successful and effective advocate‘. 2023 silk appointment Irena Sabic KC has ‘great experience in complex litigation – a persuasive advocate‘. Patrick Roche has ‘exceptional judgement‘ and is highly regarded for representing claimants in challenges brought against state authorities. Public law specialist Gráinne Mellon is ‘a reliably excellent junior‘ who regularly handles judicial reviews and claims for damages brought under the Human Rights Act 1998.
Testimonials
‘Tim Hempsted is excellent, always responsive and organised.’
‘Tim Hempsted is very quick, friendly and approachable.’
‘Joe Fraser is very efficient and helpful.’
‘Garden Court is a go to for public law cases and has a very strong team.’
‘A professional set.‘
‘Excellent practitioners in human rights and public law.’
‘An excellent set.‘
‘The clerks are helpful and responsive.’
Landmark Chambers
‘Renowned set‘ Landmark Chambers stands out for its expertise in handling prominent civil liberties cases, and members regularly act in administrative law matters before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Human rights work has been prominent in the team’s recent caseload. The ‘formidable advocate‘ David Blundell KC and the ‘excellent‘ Yaaser Vanderman appeared for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission before the Supreme Court concerning Reference by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland – Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Northern Ireland) Bill, a challenge case concerning the compatibility of legislation introducing buffer zones, in which protests are prohibited, around abortion clinics in Northern Ireland with Articles 9, 10 and 11 of the European Court of Human Rights; the Supreme Court upheld the legislation. In recent developments for the set, David Lock KC retired from practice in December 2022; Siân McGibbon joined the group from 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square in January 2023; and Alex Goodman KC took silk in March 2023.
Testimonials
‘Ben Connor is very helpful.’
‘Ben Connor is a real asset to chambers.’
‘Zoe Bluck stands out for the efforts she has made to build a rapport and deepen ties.’
‘Zoe Bluck is most efficient, approachable and accommodating.’
‘A strong chambers in relation to administrative and public law issues.’
‘Strong set for public law claims.’
‘One of the leading public law sets.’
‘An outstanding set.’
Monckton Chambers
Monckton Chambers has ‘strong public law counsel‘, and the team is well known for its solid track record in handling high-profile civil liberties and public interest challenges and judicial reviews, both in the commercial and regulatory arenas. Robert Palmer KC acted for the claimant in R (Independent Monitoring Authority) v SSHD, a judicial review challenge to the implementation of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement’s provisions around those with pre-settled status being required to reapply for settled status. In a separate matter, Palmer successfully defended a judicial review claim brought by the Duke of Sussex regarding his security arrangements in the UK. Nikolaus Grubeck is singled out for his ‘brilliant understanding of international human rights law issues‘. The senior end of the practice was bolstered by the elevation of Ben Lask KC to silk in March 2023.
Testimonials
‘David Hockney is always helpful.’
‘John Keegan and Chris O’Brien are easy to work with, friendly and responsive.’
‘Gemma Goodwin is very experienced and good to work with.’
‘Great service from the clerks’ room, a special mention for Gemma Goodwin in particular.’
‘Monckton has a solid core of excellent barristers.’
‘The set has excellent barristers.’
‘Strength in depth.’
‘The chambers are very responsive, accommodating and organised.’
1 Crown Office Row
1 Crown Office Row is a noteworthy set in this space, with traditional strength in acting on behalf of government departments and handling an increased volume of instructions from claimants. National security work is a key strength for members, and is particularly prominent in the workloads of Angus McCullough KC (who has an excellent track record in acting as Special Advocate in cases where evidence is withheld from the claimant's normal representatives), Oliver Sanders KC and Natasha Barnes. Shaheen Rahman KC is another highly regarded Special Advocate in the group, and is very experienced in appearing in prominent human rights challenges.
Testimonials
‘A proactive and helpful set.’
Essex Court Chambers
Human rights matters form a key pillar of Essex Court Chambers‘ practice, often crossing over with its public international law expertise. In a prominent case highlight, Alison Macdonald KC and Amy Sander are representing the claimants in Duarte Agustinho v Portugal and others, a case brought against 33 member states of the Council of Europe, alleging that the states’ climate change policies violate their rights under articles 2, 8 and 14; the case is due to be heard before the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights. Ben Juratowitch KC is well versed in handling inter-state cases concerning human rights issues, while Edward Brown KC is regularly instructed by the British government in heavyweight human rights litigation before the English courts system.
Testimonials
‘An excellent set.’
Blackstone Chambers
Testimonials
‘Adam Fuschillo and Danny Compton are both outstanding clerks.’
‘Adam Fuschillo is helpful and very approachable.’
‘Very responsive and innovative team led by Gary Oliver.’
‘The clerks are responsive, accommodating and courteous.’
‘Blackstone is the leading public law set in London.’
‘A top-tier chambers.’
‘An outstanding set.’
‘Very well regarded in the public law sphere.’
11KBW
‘A very solid and highly reputable set for administrative law‘, 11KBW‘s team is equally strong in handling complex, high-profile human rights cases, with members appearing before the European Court of Human Rights; Jason Coppel KC counts human rights work as a key pillar of his practice. Joanne Clement KC is ‘a go-to counsel for complex and high-value public law disputes‘ with ‘superb knowledge of human rights‘. At the junior end of chambers, the ‘industrious‘ Christopher Knight represented the Advocate General for Scotland before the Supreme Court in Reference by the Lord Advocate of Devolution Issues under the Scotland Act 1998, involving a devolution reference under Schedule 6 of the Act as to whether the Scottish Parliament had the legislative competence to make provision for a second referendum for independence. Stephen Kosmin is appearing in SSWP v AT, a case concerning whether EU nationals with pre-settled status in the UK are entitled to welfare benefits due to the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Testimonials
‘Lucy Barbet is an impressive senior figure.’
‘Harry Gilson is always very helpful.’
‘11KBW is a leading set in the field with strong advocates at all levels of call.’
‘A pre-eminent public law set.’
‘Experts in the public law field.’
‘A great set.’
‘A well-respected set with strength in depth.’
‘Clerks are responsive and helpful.’
39 Essex Chambers
39 Essex Chambers is home to ‘an incredibly strong team of counsel‘ within the public law arena, with the set acting for a diverse range of public bodies and claimants. Recent work highlights include the ‘super‘ Jenni Richards KC, Catherine Dobson and Stephanie David acting for the claimant in Jennings v Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, involving an application for a declaration that it was lawful for the claimant to use an embryo with a surrogate following the death of the claimant’s wife. The claim was brought on the grounds that preventing the use of the posthumous embryo would act as a breach of the claimant’s Article 8 rights; the High Court permitted the declaration. In a separate matter, Richards KC successfully represented the claimant in R (Timson) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, a judicial review challenge to the DWP’s policy of allowing automatic deductions, without presenting the claimant with an opportunity to make representations, from welfare benefits to pay debts to utility providers. Katherine Apps KC and Nicola Greaney KC were elevated to silk in March 2023.
Testimonials
‘Sheraton Doyle and Peter Campbell are extremely responsive.’
‘Sheraton Doyle is excellent.’
‘Sheraton Doyle is amazing.’
‘Oscar Redif is an excellent clerk, approachable and committed to providing a top service for solicitors.’
‘Peter Campbell is excellent.’
‘39 Essex has a very good depth and breadth of counsel.’
‘Excellent in the field of public law.’
‘A go-to chambers for public law.’
Brick Court Chambers
At Brick Court Chambers acts on a range of public law matters, straddling work for both humanitarian and business claimants, as well as some public bodies. James McClelland KC represented a Yemeni human rights group in R (CAAT) v Secretary of State for Trade, part of the ongoing litigation seeking to challenge the British government’s sale of arms to Saudi Arabia, which operated a military intervention in Yemen from 2015 until a ceasefire in 2022. Paul Bowen KC and Tim Johnston successfully represented Maples and Calder in a judicial review in the Cayman Islands over the interpretation of the jurisdiction’s 2020 Anti-Money Laundering Rules.
Testimonials
‘Tony Burgess is an absolute superstar.’
‘Tony Burgess is responsive and efficient.’
‘Paul Dennison and Tony Burgess lead a great team.’
‘The clerks provide an excellent service.’
‘Clerks are very response and always proactive.’
‘Brick Court is extremely high quality.’
‘Brick Court is absolutely fantastic.’
‘Great strength in depth.’
Matrix Chambers
Matrix Chambers is ‘a very strong public law and human rights set‘. Claimant work forms the key pillar of the practice, and the set reports an increase in mandates relating to government policies. Jessica Simor KC ‘clearly and concisely articulates complex legal arguments, and she is always prepared to challenge the status quo‘. In recent work for the team, Simor KC led Emma Foubister for the claimants in R (Friends of the Earth Ltd and others) v Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, a judicial review challenging the legality of the Government’s Net Zero Strategy; the High Court ruled that the strategy breached the Government’s obligations under the Climate Change Act. Edward Craven is ‘an exceptional barrister with an incredible mind‘. In a boost to chambers, Nick Armstrong KC, Claire Darwin KC and Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC were all elevated to silk in March 2023.
Testimonials
‘Elizabeth Bousher is exceptionally good at her job.’
‘Simon Gardner, Sarah Walker and Elizabeth Bousher are an essential cog in the Matrix machine.’
‘Elizabeth Bousher, Sarah Walker and Simon Gardner have been absolutely stellar.’
‘Matrix is a top class set.’
‘Matrix is an incredibly strong set with a large number of impressive barristers.’
‘Great breadth and depth on all human rights and public law.’
‘Leading human rights chambers.’
‘Counsel provide high calibre advice and advocacy.’
Doughty Street Chambers
Doughty Street Chambers is a ‘leading human rights set‘ which is also noted for its ‘strong reputation for public law‘. The team of ‘high calibre counsel‘ is well known for its strength in acting for claimants in a wide range of high-profile judicial reviews and complex human rights, administrative and constitutional cases. The ‘highly respected‘ Edward Fitzgerald KC recently appeared before the Privy Council in Attorney General v Rolle, a case concerning citizenship rights for children born in The Bahamas to unmarried parents. Joe Middleton KC, who took silk in 2023, is well versed in advising on cases concerning constitutional challenges to the death penalty in multiple African countries. In another matter, Jamie Burton KC is acting in a judicial review concerning the Secretary of State’s policy about the height of kerbs, contending the policy does not require high enough kerbs for guide dog and white cane users.
Testimonials
‘Grace Walton and Sian Wilkins are excellent.’
‘Grace Walton is always helpful.’
‘Grace Walton is outstanding.’
‘Brilliant for public law.’
‘Very impressive set.’
‘Great chambers for civil liberties work.’
‘Very reputable chambers.’
‘An excellent choice for human rights and public law claims.’
Garden Court Chambers
Garden Court Chambers is regarded by many as a ‘leading human rights set‘, and has an excellent track record in representing claimants in complex cases across the public law arena, more broadly as well as in specialised areas such as social housing and immigration. Amanda Weston KC garners praise as ‘an outstanding silk in this area‘ and ‘a very successful and effective advocate‘. 2023 silk appointment Irena Sabic KC has ‘great experience in complex litigation – a persuasive advocate‘. Patrick Roche has ‘exceptional judgement‘ and is highly regarded for representing claimants in challenges brought against state authorities. Public law specialist Gráinne Mellon is ‘a reliably excellent junior‘ who regularly handles judicial reviews and claims for damages brought under the Human Rights Act 1998.
Testimonials
‘Tim Hempsted is excellent, always responsive and organised.’
‘Tim Hempsted is very quick, friendly and approachable.’
‘Joe Fraser is very efficient and helpful.’
‘Garden Court is a go to for public law cases and has a very strong team.’
‘A professional set.‘
‘Excellent practitioners in human rights and public law.’
‘An excellent set.‘
‘The clerks are helpful and responsive.’
Landmark Chambers
‘Renowned set‘ Landmark Chambers stands out for its expertise in handling prominent civil liberties cases, and members regularly act in administrative law matters before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Human rights work has been prominent in the team’s recent caseload. The ‘formidable advocate‘ David Blundell KC and the ‘excellent‘ Yaaser Vanderman appeared for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission before the Supreme Court concerning Reference by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland – Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Northern Ireland) Bill, a challenge case concerning the compatibility of legislation introducing buffer zones, in which protests are prohibited, around abortion clinics in Northern Ireland with Articles 9, 10 and 11 of the European Court of Human Rights; the Supreme Court upheld the legislation. In recent developments for the set, David Lock KC retired from practice in December 2022; Siân McGibbon joined the group from 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square in January 2023; and Alex Goodman KC took silk in March 2023.
Testimonials
‘Ben Connor is very helpful.’
‘Ben Connor is a real asset to chambers.’
‘Zoe Bluck stands out for the efforts she has made to build a rapport and deepen ties.’
‘Zoe Bluck is most efficient, approachable and accommodating.’
‘A strong chambers in relation to administrative and public law issues.’
‘Strong set for public law claims.’
‘One of the leading public law sets.’
‘An outstanding set.’
Monckton Chambers
Monckton Chambers has ‘strong public law counsel‘, and the team is well known for its solid track record in handling high-profile civil liberties and public interest challenges and judicial reviews, both in the commercial and regulatory arenas. Robert Palmer KC acted for the claimant in R (Independent Monitoring Authority) v SSHD, a judicial review challenge to the implementation of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement’s provisions around those with pre-settled status being required to reapply for settled status. In a separate matter, Palmer successfully defended a judicial review claim brought by the Duke of Sussex regarding his security arrangements in the UK. Nikolaus Grubeck is singled out for his ‘brilliant understanding of international human rights law issues‘. The senior end of the practice was bolstered by the elevation of Ben Lask KC to silk in March 2023.
Testimonials
‘David Hockney is always helpful.’
‘John Keegan and Chris O’Brien are easy to work with, friendly and responsive.’
‘Gemma Goodwin is very experienced and good to work with.’
‘Great service from the clerks’ room, a special mention for Gemma Goodwin in particular.’
‘Monckton has a solid core of excellent barristers.’
‘The set has excellent barristers.’
‘Strength in depth.’
‘The chambers are very responsive, accommodating and organised.’
1 Crown Office Row
1 Crown Office Row is a noteworthy set in this space, with traditional strength in acting on behalf of government departments and handling an increased volume of instructions from claimants. National security work is a key strength for members, and is particularly prominent in the workloads of Angus McCullough KC (who has an excellent track record in acting as Special Advocate in cases where evidence is withheld from the claimant's normal representatives), Oliver Sanders KC and Natasha Barnes. Shaheen Rahman KC is another highly regarded Special Advocate in the group, and is very experienced in appearing in prominent human rights challenges.
Testimonials
‘A proactive and helpful set.’
Essex Court Chambers
Human rights matters form a key pillar of Essex Court Chambers‘ practice, often crossing over with its public international law expertise. In a prominent case highlight, Alison Macdonald KC and Amy Sander are representing the claimants in Duarte Agustinho v Portugal and others, a case brought against 33 member states of the Council of Europe, alleging that the states’ climate change policies violate their rights under articles 2, 8 and 14; the case is due to be heard before the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights. Ben Juratowitch KC is well versed in handling inter-state cases concerning human rights issues, while Edward Brown KC is regularly instructed by the British government in heavyweight human rights litigation before the English courts system.
Testimonials
‘An excellent set.’