Administrative law and human rights

Leading Silks
2026 Silks
2025 Silks

Leading Silks

KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.

Monica Carss-Frisk KC

Blackstone Chambers

Monica is a fantastic public law KC - one of our go-to silks for the most complex, high-profile commercial judicial reviews. She has technically outstanding, clear, and concise advice, and is extremely approachable.

Sir James Eadie KC

Blackstone Chambers

He is amazing. Simply the best. His advocacy is an absolute dream, calm, and relaxed. A conversation with a sting in the tail. He is hugely impressive. A real star of the bar. His ability to assimilate vast quantities of highly complex material into a neat and focused argument is phenomenal. A superstar.

Edward Fitzgerald CBE KC

Doughty Street Chambers

Edward is the doyen of human rights and public law. He has pioneered and shaped the law in respect of the rights of detainees. His preparation is immaculate. His advocacy is unique - a genuine conversation with the court while never losing sight of his client's interests.

Tom Hickman KC

Blackstone Chambers

Very clever and experienced public law leader.

Phillippa Kaufmann KC

Matrix Chambers

Lord Pannick KC

Blackstone Chambers

A fantastic advocate, a brilliant lawyer, and always well prepared.

Jenni Richards KC

39 Essex Chambers

Her advocacy is second to none. It is incredibly impressive to watch her in court - authoritative and persuasive.

David Blundell KC

Landmark Chambers

Jude Bunting KC

Doughty Street Chambers

Jude is a formidable advocate. He has an instinctive grasp of the points to pursue and achieves that rare combination of being measured and persuasive.

Thomas de la Mare KC

Blackstone Chambers

His advocacy is clear and compelling.

Sarah Hannett KC

Matrix Chambers

Great intellect and grasp of complex and unfamiliar scenarios, clear and succinct drafting, and a practical approach. Great advocacy at trial.

Julian Milford KC

Julian is truly first class. An excellent public law barrister with superb judgement, he is also user-friendly — responsive, approachable, and a genuine pleasure to work with. I highly rate him on sensitive matters.

Robert Palmer KC

Monckton Chambers

Robert Palmer KC is an excellent strategist. He gives clear and insightful advice from the very outset of a case. Robert has sound judgement and his advice is practical on every level. His written work and advocacy are equally strong and powerful. Robert is a safe pair of hands, highly respected by his peers and judges.

Jessica Simor KC

Matrix Chambers

Jessica has in-depth knowledge of sanctions and administrative law matters.

Jemima Stratford KC

Brick Court Chambers

She is a tenacious but fair advocate.

Tim Buley KC

Landmark Chambers

Tim is a fearless litigator with an abundance of tenacity. He is also extremely approachable and collaborative. His drafting is excellent. I have not seen his advocacy, as the cases I have worked on with him so far have settled with favorable outcomes for our clients!

Joanne Clement KC

Friendly, engaging, no-nonsense, and uber responsive.

Ben Collins KC

Old Square Chambers

Ben is a superb lawyer who is approachable, clear, and concise. He is a calm and reassuring voice in the toughest situations. He is incisive and identifies the key issues immediately. He is vastly experienced in cases concerning the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme and is renowned as the leading expert on the subject, having been instructed in these cases at all levels, including the Supreme Court. He is the go-to person for the most complex and novel issues.

Philip Coppel KC

Cornerstone Barristers

Estelle Dehon KC

Cornerstone Barristers

Estelle Dehon KC is peerless in her field. She is our go-to for complex legal work, and her advocacy is first class. She also clearly devotes a lot of time to developing and supporting younger members of the profession.

Marie Demetriou KC

Brick Court Chambers

Marie is highly sought after and at the top of her game as a leading public law and human rights silk. Her measured and authoritative advocacy is highly effective.

Gerry Facenna KC

Monckton Chambers

Shaheed Fatima KC

Blackstone Chambers

Very clear advice; robust. All over the relevant areas of law.

Kate Gallafent KC

Blackstone Chambers

A class act, able to advocate the trickiest cause with charm and flair, as well as being an absolute pleasure to work with.

Jonathan Glasson KC

Matrix Chambers

James Goudie KC

Always content to receive papers on an urgent basis and have never let me down.

Sam Grodzinski KC

Blackstone Chambers

One of a kind - an extremely persuasive barrister, absolutely the authority on administrative law issues and human rights - and a rare creature in the sense that he is a tax technical barrister, with outstanding and unrivaled experience in Judicial Review.

Jonathan Hough KC

4 New Square Chambers

Excellent advocate, great attention to detail, extremely responsive.

Ben Jaffey KC

Blackstone Chambers

One of the very best. His oral submissions and cross-examination are devastating. He handles the most complex cases with ease, seemingly in any area of law.

Schona Jolly KC

Kind, responsive, and thoughtful. Puts juniors and clients first. And is helpful when it comes to advice and collegiality.

Maya Lester KC

Brick Court Chambers

Maya has unrivaled experience in UK and EU sanctions, notably in the context of court challenges to designations that have a strong human rights element. She speaks with the authority and wisdom of a true master of the field, but remains as approachable and friendly as anyone in it.

Zoë Leventhal KC

Matrix Chambers

Zoe is very smart and reliable. She is a great advocate in court, persuasive, calm, and knowledgeable. The judges seem to really like her. A go-to silk on discrimination judicial reviews.

James Maurici KC

Landmark Chambers

James is an outstanding and tenacious advocate who couples legal skill with pragmatism and an excellent manner with clients. He is a pleasure to instruct and is who you want in your corner for high-value, complex public law litigation.

James McClelland KC

Brick Court Chambers

Jamie is highly intelligent, has meticulous attention to detail, and is a pleasure to work with. He is our go-to for complex regulatory work and has a keen eye for fine points of nuance. He always delivers high-quality and considered advice.

Jonathan Moffett KC

Jonathan is one of the foremost public law silks at the bar. He combines razor-sharp intelligence with excellent client care skills. He is renowned for identifying the key issues in any litigation, adapting the case strategy accordingly, and focusing his advocacy on making punchy and succinct submissions on those key issues. A pleasure to work with.

Karon Monaghan KC

Matrix Chambers

Fenella Morris KC

39 Essex Chambers

She will readily give a warts-and-all analysis of a case so that clients walk into any litigation with their eyes open, with realistic expectations as to the likelihood that any action will achieve their strategic objectives.

Helen Mountfield KC

Matrix Chambers

Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC

Matrix Chambers

Blinne is a superstar. She is an exceptional advocate; she brings to bear meticulous attention to complex facts and details, as well as a keen ability for persuasive, human-centered argumentation. She has a keen legal mind and is able to think creatively, strategically, and with principle.

Tim Owen KC

Matrix Chambers

Shaheen Rahman KC

1 Crown Office Row

Thomas Roe KC

Thomas is a superb advocate who has the ear of the court. His written advocacy is also of the first order.

Ian Rogers KC

Monckton Chambers

Ian is very responsive and approachable. He conveys complex points simply, both in written submissions and oral advocacy.

Dinah Rose KC

Blackstone Chambers

James Segan KC

Blackstone Chambers

Smooth advocate, excellent delivery. A real leader in the area where public law and commercial law touch.

Hugh Southey KC

Matrix Chambers

Really good and experienced leader in this field - well respected by clients and opponents alike.

Adam Straw KC

Doughty Street Chambers

Excellent judgment, really nicely nuanced submissions.

Ian Wise KC

Monckton Chambers

David Wolfe KC

Matrix Chambers

David is a fantastically clever lawyer and a hugely persuasive advocate. A real powerhouse of the environmental public law bar and a go-to champion for environmental causes.

Nick Armstrong KC

Matrix Chambers

Strategic and committed to clients. Strong advocacy skills.

Katherine Apps KC

39 Essex Chambers

Katherine has extraordinary depth of knowledge across the areas in which she works, such that she is an expert in all. She is a dynamo at working through dense fact patterns and complex law to steer a pragmatic path for clients, for whom she routinely delivers above expectations with excellence as standard. She can readily identify and execute tailor-made strategies.

Lord Banner KC

Keating Chambers

Joseph Barrett KC

Excellent advocate. Very effective.

Kieron Beal KC

Blackstone Chambers

Kieron is extremely clever, well-prepared, and realistic. He is responsive, excellent with clients, and has a very good feel for the courts.

Paul Bowen KC

Brick Court Chambers

Paul is an incisive and effective advocate, able to distill a complex case into the key points and communicate it effectively to the court. His knowledge of constitutional and international human rights law is second to none, and he is one of the leading practitioners in this area. Paul is hugely respected by his peers, and his ability to handle sensitive issues with extremely serious consequences in a careful and discreet manner is appreciated by his clients. His written arguments and advocacy are of the highest order, and he is a powerful, extremely hardworking, and intelligent advocate.

Jamie Burton KC

Doughty Street Chambers

Experience, confidence, and intellect make a winning formula.

Victoria Butler-Cole KC

39 Essex Chambers

With extensive knowledge of the law, Victoria has a real determination to muster arguments to advance her client's case.

Christopher Buttler KC

Matrix Chambers

Brilliant, across all areas of public law. Formidable advocate.

Jonathan Crow KC

4 Stone Buildings

Clair Dobbin KC

Three Raymond Buildings

Clair is an exceptionally bright barrister who is immeasurably hard-working. She has extensive experience in public law challenges at all levels of courts, and that shows both in her written and oral advocacy. She commands the respect of even the most senior and exacting judges.

Laura Dubinsky KC

Doughty Street Chambers

I find her advice to be very clear and pragmatic, pitched at the level the client needs. Her drafting is excellent, and she has a very clear overview of the case.

Danny Friedman KC

Matrix Chambers

Alex Goodman KC

Landmark Chambers

Ivan Hare KC

Blackstone Chambers

Ivan is exceptionally bright, drafts beautifully, and is really the standout name for Judicial Review in the UK. He is also excellent on his feet.

Stephanie Harrison KC

Garden Court Chambers

Stephanie is the most impressive barrister I have ever worked with. She combines an amazing ability to get on top of complex facts with always having a clear case theory and pathway for achieving the best result for the client. She is a fighter but always courteous and a joy to work with.

Richard Honey KC

Francis Taylor Building

Exceptionally thorough and attentive to detail. His written advice is of the highest standard, and his advocacy is even better. He is clear, concise, and gets to the nub of the issue in an easy-to-understand manner. His arguments are logical and easy to follow.

Nageena Khalique KC

Serjeants' Inn Chambers

Very knowledgeable and no nonsense. I like to instruct her when there is a dispute with health professionals.

Richard Lissack KC

Fountain Court Chambers

Tom Little KC

Angus McCullough KC

1 Crown Office Row

Brendan McGurk KC

Monckton Chambers

Brendan McGurk KC is an excellent silk. He is a highly effective advocate, particularly skilled at cross-examination, which he balances with a genuinely client-friendly manner.

Anthony Metzer KC

Goldsmith Chambers

Anthony Metzer KC is an exceptional advocate with outstanding legal knowledge and excellent judgment in administrative law and human rights matters. He combines meticulous preparation with a strategic approach, quickly identifying the key issues in complex cases and presenting clear, persuasive arguments. His advocacy is measured, compelling, and highly effective. He is articulate, calm under pressure, and demonstrates an impressive ability to respond to judicial questions while maintaining focus on the central issues. His submissions are always well-structured, concise, and supported by a thorough understanding of both the legal principles and the practical implications of a case. Beyond his advocacy, Anthony is approachable, collaborative, and responsive. He communicates complex legal issues clearly and provides pragmatic, commercially aware advice. He inspires confidence in both clients and instructing solicitors through his professionalism, integrity, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome.

Joe Middleton KC

Doughty Street Chambers

Clare Montgomery KC

Matrix Chambers

Clare is a powerhouse - her ability to digest huge volumes of information and produce succinct submissions is second to none. She is super clever.

Leigh-Ann Mulcahy KC

Fountain Court Chambers

Leigh-Ann is truly exceptional. She is brilliantly intelligent, has flawless judgment, and is a delight to work with. Her preparation means she is always on top of the most disparate and wide-ranging material, yet she is able to instantly adjust to the unexpected and make submissions that anyone would be proud of if they had been given weeks to prepare.

Hanif Mussa KC

Blackstone Chambers

Hanif is, without a doubt, one of the stars of the public law Bar. He is a superlative advocate, able to distill his points so concisely and clearly that they are the most persuasive they can be. He is immensely clever and has a depth of experience and judgment that outstrips that of far more senior silks.

Richard O’Brien KC

4 New Square Chambers

Alan Payne KC

39 Essex Chambers

Anya Proops KC

Anya brings great energy to litigation, alongside being a superb lawyer. She is an excellent tactician and extremely clear in her advice on the merits of a case. A good person to have in your corner.

Amy Rogers KC

Amy is an extremely hard-working, knowledgeable, and excellent choice for high-value and complex disputes.

Vikram Sachdeva KC

39 Essex Chambers

Vikram is a tenacious advocate with a very wide knowledge of the law, who pays attention to detail and is excellent at identifying the key issues and how to engage with them. He is a very considerate leader and engages well with solicitors and clients.

Oliver Sanders KC

1 Crown Office Row

Oliver’s caseload in judicial review is impressive and substantial. He is able to move seamlessly between presenting cases for and against the government with equal skill and commitment. His experience acting on both sides of the divide is plainly to the benefit of all of his clients. He is gracious and personable in his dealings with opponents, and his calm, measured advocacy is very effective.

Dan Sarooshi KC

Essex Court Chambers

Andrew Sharland KC

Strong, clear, and consistent advice and drafting.

Maya Sikand KC

Doughty Street Chambers

Highly committed, sharp, and utterly determined, not afraid to take on challenging cases, often running novel legal arguments. Her advocacy is very measured and effective. She is considerate in her approach to clients. Her paperwork is excellent and timely!

Daniel Stilitz KC

Victoria Wakefield KC

Brick Court Chambers

Tori is an exceptionally effective advocate who quickly gains the confidence of the bench. She is a true star of the public law and human rights bar.

Galina Ward KC

Landmark Chambers

Galina is very clever; she writes beautifully and is a brilliant advocate. She's thoughtful and realistic in her strategic advice. She has the ear of the court, and she's also a great person and really good to work with. Brilliant.

Tim Ward KC

Monckton Chambers

Fantastic advocate - the best advocate I have ever worked with. Excellent interpersonal skills. A very astute public law barrister - always our first choice, go-to silk.

Ewan West KC

Monckton Chambers

Very knowledgeable. Hard worker. Well liked by clients. Good on his feet. A safe pair of hands for heavyweight administrative law matters.

Marc Willers KC

Garden Court Chambers

Excellent communication skills, great advocacy, and a calm nature.

2026 Silks

KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.

Malcolm Birdling KC

Brick Court Chambers

I think Malcolm is excellent - he is highly responsive, sympathetic to solicitors' needs, insightful, a rapid reviewer of papers, and is able to form quick and accurate judgments.

Nicholas Chapman KC

Temple Garden Chambers

Nicholas is a brilliant new silk in administrative law and human rights, bringing his huge range of experience and expertise from his junior practice. He is an assured, clear, and highly effective advocate in court and is able to command the respect of any tribunal. He is very hard-working and a great tactician.

Leon Glenister KC

Landmark Chambers

Leon is one of the country's leading public law barristers, as reflected by the fact that he took silk at such an early stage in his seemingly effortless career. He is a fine orator, respected by judges and his peers alike.

Rose Grogan KC

39 Essex Chambers

Rose is a confident and clear advocate who has the confidence of the Court. She is respected by clients, judges, and opponents alike.

Christopher Knight KC

Chris Knight is a great new silk. As a junior, he was very adept at drafting correspondence and pleadings, was unfailingly efficient and hard-working, and was all around a class act.

Helen Law KC

Matrix Chambers

Sarah Love KC

Brick Court Chambers

David Lowe KC

Blackstone Chambers

Robert Moretto KC

Old Square Chambers

2025 Silks

KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.

Sasha Blackmore KC

Landmark Chambers

Sasha has a particularly impressive eye for detail and is very hands-on with her cases. She is a compelling and forthright advocate who will push for her clients.

Fraser Campbell KC

Blackstone Chambers

He provides commercial and pragmatic advice tailored to the specifics of the organization. He is also a pleasure to work with. Clearly highly intelligent, but very accessible and has a real skill in translating the law into practical and definitive advice.

Edward Craven KC

Matrix Chambers

Brilliant, first-rate barrister, a real star.

Tom Cross KC

Tom makes good judgement calls on cases. He is reliable, responds quickly, and provides submissions on time. He is collaborative and easy to deal with.

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Cecilia Ivimy KC

11KBW

Cecilia is consistently user-friendly: clear, thorough, prompt, intellectually agile, and has excellent judgment.

Paul Jarvis KC

6KBW College Hill

Naina Patel KC

Blackstone Chambers

Cares about her clients; she is a good tactician.

Jason Pobjoy KC

Blackstone Chambers

Extremely hardworking, super clever, clear, and concise submissions; approachable and fun to work with.

Julia Smyth

Landmark Chambers

She really interrogates the case and in that first call with the client, she is immediately up on the details and is not only knowledgeable, but warm and personable. She is a great barrister who is not only supremely clever but is also commercial, pragmatic, and clients love her.

Azeem Suterwalla KC

Monckton Chambers

Azeem is excellent to work with both in and out of court. He has great attention to detail and provides real confidence to solicitors and clients alike in the preparation for hearings, and his advocacy in court is very effective.

Adam Wagner KC

Doughty Street Chambers

Adam masters complex briefs with remarkable speed and is able to identify the key legal and strategic issues at a very early stage. He combines strong legal analysis with practical judgment, providing advice that is genuinely useful to clients facing real-world challenges. He is highly responsive, intellectually agile, and consistently able to find novel solutions to problems. One of his particular strengths is his ability to develop creative and effective solutions where more conventional approaches may not be appropriate. He has excellent strategic instincts and quickly understands how particular actions fit within the wider objectives of a case. In meetings, he commands confidence and communicates with authority with public officials of all levels. He is equally effective when engaging with lawyers, senior decision-makers, and lay clients, translating complex legal issues into clear and persuasive advice. As an advocate, he is well-prepared and persuasive. He combines a mastery of detail with a clear focus on the issues that matter most, enabling him to present arguments in a way that is always highly effective. I have found him to be exceptionally committed to his clients and their objectives, bringing a level of energy to the work that is unusual even among leading practitioners.

Administrative law and human rights in London Bar | Law firm and lawyer rankings from Legal 500 Administrative law and human rights guide | Silks