England - London • Public sector
1

Civil liberties and human rights

Bhatt Murphy

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Bhatt Murphy sets the pace in its ‘pioneering approach’ and ’unwavering commitment’ in securing successes in police actions, prison law matters, and immigration detention and migrant rights. Advising both individuals in compensation claims, inquests, and public inquiries, and NGOs in judicial reviews, the team is also accomplished in pursuing complex matters to the ECtHR. Janet Farrell is ‘tenacious, innovative, and fearless’ in defending the rights of vulnerable groups detained under immigration powers, while Carolynn Gallwey specialises in civil actions and complaints against the police. Jane Ryan focuses on discrimination claims, constitutional torts, and health and social care. Founding partner Mark Scott enjoys a strong international reputation in detention rights, and Shamik Dutta plays a leading role in key public inquiries. Michael Oswald champions individuals who have been subject to state misconduct, and Sophie Naftalin is considered ’a trailblazer and a force to be reckoned with’ in the arena of violence against women and girls, while Charlotte Haworth Hird is ‘peerless’ in health and social care challenges. Colin Gregory has been hailed ’a real star of the future’ in immigration detention and migrant rights work, and Raju Bhatt remains a key contact. Tony Murphy left the firm in October 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Sophie Naftalin’s preparation of cases is meticulous and her compassion and support for the client exemplary. Sophie has done really significant work over many years representing women victims of domestic abuse. She is a trailblazer and a force to be reckoned with.’

  • ‘Bhatt Murphy leads the field in civil liberties work, taking a pioneering approach to litigation that spans police actions, immigration detention, data rights, public inquiries, and more. The team is characterised by unwavering commitment to their clients, legal acumen, and tough strategic thinking.’

Work highlights

  • Acted for the foster parents of a 5-year-old boy who died while an inpatient at the Children’s Trust.
  • Successfully represented Abu Zubaydah, a Guantanamo Bay detainee, in a landmark Supreme Court decision concerning UK complicity in torture.