Landmark Chambers ‘stands out for its depth of expertise in all aspects of public law’, with its immigration barristers acting on behalf of both the government and claimants at the tribunal, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court level. David Blundell KC recently acted on behalf of the Secretary of State in Begum v SSHD, a high-profile case concerning the relationship between national security and procedural fairness whereby the Court of Appeal ultimately dismissed the appeal of the 25-year old who left Bethnal Green to join Islamic State in Syria a decade ago. Julia Smyth KC, who was appointed King’s Counsel in 2025, has led on several prominent cases involving provisions within the Withdrawal Agreement, while Alex Goodman KC led the successful appeal in ASY and Others v SSHD, a case concerning damages for breaches of Article 3 ECHR for migrant mothers whose children were denied recourse to public funds. Tim Buley KC continues to act as lead Special Advocate in a number of cases under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Position
Julia has a strong public and EU law practice, particularly in the fields of social security, EU free movement and immigration.
Julia is a public law, EU and ECHR specialist. She frequently appears unled in high-profile cases, and is praised by the legal directories as being “a truly excellent public law specialist," who is “phenomenally gifted", “extremely clever and very effective”, as well as “phenomenally hard working" and “approachable and responsive." Julia won the award for ‘Human Rights and Public Law Junior of the Year’ at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2022.
Prior to returning to self-employed practice in 2012, Julia had a successful career as a senior government lawyer. She is recognised by the legal directories as bringing her “experience as counsel for various government departments to claimant work, giving practical insights into how public bodies make decisions on the ground.”
Julia has particular expertise in EU and Withdrawal Agreement law, human rights and civil liberties, social security, health, immigration and free movement law, as well as experience in a broad range of other areas including education, police pensions, parking regulation and environment law and animal welfare.
Education
Awards
• ‘Human Rights and Public Law Junior of the Year’ at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2022
Memberships
Appointed to the Attorney General's A Panel of Junior Counsel
• Administrative Law Bar Association
Content supplied by Landmark Chambers
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'One of the best immigration chambers in the country.'
- 'Landmark are a top set for public law and human rights which includes much immigration related litigation. They have a great stable of barristers and their clerking is extremely user friendly.'
- 'Clear, knowledgeable, personable and well structured.'
- 'Very professional outfit, with good strength in depth at both senior and junior levels and the clerking service is excellent.'
- 'Landmark Chambers really stands out for its depth of expertise in all aspects of public law, including in particular immigration.'
- 'Very highly regarded in immigration, public law and other areas.'
- 'Clerks are always very helpful and responsive.'
- 'Very approachable, in-depth knowledge, works as a team and excellent advocacy and drafting.'