Leigh Day remains at the forefront of claimant-focused public law, with a dedicated team working exclusively on administrative law matters, particularly judicial review. The team is known for its complex, high-impact work across diverse and evolving areas of law, often acting alongside NGOs, charities, and individuals in strategic litigation. Its expertise spans environmental protection, human rights, civil liberties, and immigration. Practice head Jamie Beagent is highly regarded for his work on environmental justice and the rights and welfare of immigrants and asylum seekers. Tessa Gregory is a standout figure, having led some of the most groundbreaking public law cases in recent years, particularly in relation to human rights, welfare reform, and environmental protection. Stephanie Hill brings specialist expertise in migrants’ rights and immigration detention, regularly representing vulnerable individuals, including survivors of torture and trafficking.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Leigh Day's team is the leading public law team of any solicitor's firm in the country. They have brilliant expertise across the board, in every aspect of judicial review. They are superb in bringing strategic challenges, individual claims, in immigration, environment, welfare benefits, etc etc.’
- ‘Easy to work with, thorough and expert in public law.’
- ‘Tessa Gregory and Tom Short are two of the brightest legal minds working in public law. Great with clients, incredibly committed and hardworking, talented and creative legally.'
- ‘The Leigh Day public law team is the best in the business. They have strength and depth throughout, from the partners down to the paralegals, and are second to none for claimant public law work.’
- ‘Tessa Gregory is arguably the foremost claimant public law solicitor in practice today. She can turn her hand to anything human rights related, and leads on some of the biggest challenges against government today.'
- ‘Hands-down the best claimant law firm in the country for administrative and public law. They have strength at every level of seniority and know the law back to front. They are also fearless lawyers and very creative thinkers, not to mention a pleasure to work with. They are in most of the cutting-edge judicial review claims against the government and lead the pack.’
Key clients
- Sri Lankan asylum seekers detained by the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Administration
- Raymond Lee
- Caroline Lucas MP, Ben Bradshaw MP, and Alyn Smith MP
- Asylum Aid
- Oxfam
- Reunite Families UK
- Triples (XF, LM and various others)
Work highlights
Represents Raymond Lee in a judicial review challenging the decision of the Secretary of State for the Home Department to refuse compensation under the Windrush Compensation Scheme.
Represented, in a range of public law challenges, a group of Sri Lankan asylum-seekers detained on Diego Garcia by the BIOT Administration, and two individuals in Rwanda who were medically evacuated from Diego Garcia after attempting suicide.
Represented Asylum Aid in its 2024 challenge to the Home Office Safety of Rwanda policy on grounds that it was inconsistent with the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2024 (‘SORA’).
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Stephanie Hill
Practice head
Jamie Beagent
Other key lawyers
Tessa Gregory; Stephanie Hill; Waleed Sheikh; Tom Short