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England - London • Public sector
3

Administrative and public law

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Bates Wells

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Bates Wells has a respected public and regulatory law team, known for its deep expertise, and trusted by charities and public sector clients alike. The firm is a go-to adviser for judicial reviews involving charities and frequently acts for public bodies facing judicial review challenges. Its team of seasoned public inquiry lawyers is regularly instructed in both statutory and non-statutory inquiries, investigations, and inquests. Practice head Matthew Smith brings a wealth of experience across sectors, representing individuals, public authorities, charities, and corporates in high-profile judicial reviews and statutory appeals. Rupert Earle, a leading figure in advertising regulation, has acted for and against public authorities for decades and is noted for his longstanding expertise in judicial review.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team has a number of very experienced public lawyers, particularly litigators. It has particular expertise in strategic or campaigning litigation.’

  • ‘Louise Sivey is superb. She has excellent judgement and she is highly responsive and commercial.'

  • 'Helen Fry has depth of experience as a strategic litigator and is a great addition to the Bates Wells team.’

  • ‘Rupert Earle has been our trusted advisor for decades. He is a leading advertisement lawyer in the UK without doubt, and we value him greatly.’

  • ‘I have generally found them to be highly competent. I was instructed by them on a judicial review recently, and they were excellent - very responsive and a real pleasure to work with.’

  • ‘A hugely talented team with a vast array of experience. They regularly deal with top public law work.’

Key clients

  • Royal College of Nursing
  • RSPCA
  • The Ramblers Association
  • Doctors’ Association UK
  • NUS (National Union of Students) Charitable Services
  • UCLSU
  • Public Sector Audit Appointments
  • Brunswick Park Primary School
  • St John the Divine Primary School
  • Hove Learning Foundation
  • Airport Coordination
  • Advertising Standards Authority

Work highlights

Representing the Ramblers Association in a judicial review against the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, including advising on whether the judicial review is an Aarhus Convention claim.
Acted for Doctors' Association UK (DAUK), a non-profit campaigning organisation for the medical profession, in relation to the controversial decision to broaden the role of junior "physician associates" and bring them into the General Medical Council's (GMC's) regulatory remit.
Continued to act for the RSPCA as intervener in support of a judicial review by The Humane League (THL) of the Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)’s failure to enforce the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007 in relation to fast-growing breeds of broiler chickens.

Practice head

Matthew Smith

Other key lawyers

Rupert Earle; Louise Sivey; Helen Fry; Natasha Davies