Administrative & Public Law

Christopher Knight has risen to prominence thanks to his involvement in complex administrative and public law challenges. He principally represents central and local government bodies in high-profile constitutional and human rights challenges, including matters relating to the Scottish and Welsh governments. He regularly appears in proceedings before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

"Christopher is exceptionally bright, knowledgeable about public law and industrious. His written advocacy is thorough, economical and persuasive. He is also fun to work with."

"Christopher is excellent both on paper and on his feet."

"His written work is so spectacular. He does good drafting, has superb knowledge and is a delight to work with."

Jason Coppel KC is sought out in significant judicial reviews on behalf of claimants, NGOs and public bodies. He has a particularly strong profile thanks to his work in challenges to the Department of Health's decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic. EU law and human rights remain a mainstay of his practice.

"Jason is regarded as a real expert on withdrawal agreement law. He is really strong, really knowledgeable and very clever."

"If there is an award for the brain of Britain, Jason certainly deserves the award. He is an extremely hardworking silk who leaves no stone unturned. His advice is always as clear as his preparation."

Tom Cross is instructed by individual claimants and businesses in connection with a range of public law disputes. He is especially experienced in claims invoking EU and human rights laws. He handles matters before a range of courts including the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and Privy Council.

"Tom excels in commercial and sensitive challenges, particularly freedom of expression."

"Tom is one of the most impressive advocates I've worked with."

Heather Emmerson is predominantly instructed by central and local government as well as regulators to defend controversial decisions and legislation. She appears in judicial reviews and human rights claims before the domestic courts, and in matters before the European Court of Human Rights.

"Heather is bright, hardworking, diligent and extremely good with client handling. She is very personable and easy to get along with."

Jonathan Moffett KC is frequently entrusted with administrative and public law instructions by the UK and Welsh governments as well as other public bodies. His substantive expertise encompasses human rights, policing and local government law. He has extensive experience in matters heard by the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

"Jonathan engages with clients very well."

Julian Blake represents various departments of the UK government in high-profile public law challenges. He has significant experience in cases concerning government decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Julian provides an outstanding service. He is always responsive and available to assist."

"Julian always provides the highest standard of service, identifying risks and providing sound, reliable and understandable advice every time."

"Julian has great foresight and often provides invaluable advice to the client from different angles or perspectives."

Nigel Giffin KC is frequently instructed for and against central and local government, including the Treasury and Cabinet Office. He offers considerable experience in judicial review proceedings. Areas of focus include public procurement and public sector pensions reform.

"Nigel really understands how public law works in any context. He gets what's important to a client and he deals with those things in a way which gives a client comfort."

Andrew Sharland KC acts in complex judicial reviews challenging legislation and decisions made by local and central government. He is an expert in human rights and equality cases. Recent mandates include challenges related to funding as well as cases in the education sector.

"Andrew is very responsive and approachable."

"His technical capabilities are amazing. He's our go-to for difficult and complicated matters."

Cecilia Ivimy is a sought-after barrister with wide-ranging experience acting in public law challenges on behalf of central government, local authorities and clients in the education sector. She has extensive experience in judicial review and regulatory proceedings.

"Cecilia is very concise, really dissects the case and hits the key arguments. She is highly persuasive."

"Cecilia has excellent client communication and she is always very approachable."

"Cecilia is clear, thorough, responsive and intellectually agile with excellent judgement."

Hannah Slarks is an experienced barrister who is a strong choice for either claimants or public authorities in a variety of cases. She is particularly knowledgeable about the law as it relates to the provision of health, social care and housing. Recent work includes challenges brought against the government concerning its actions in relation to COVID-19.

"Hannah's approach is very calm and reassuring."

"Her advice is very clear and strategic. She is an absolute expert in the field. She has a very can-do attitude and she is very good with clients."

"Hannah is well organised, well prepared and gives clear advice. She is a strong advocate."

John Bethell is a member of the Attorney General's B panel and is regularly instructed by central government bodies. His public law practice includes high-profile judicial reviews concerning national security and investigatory powers.

"John is a very good advocate."

"John is clear, concise and measured. He is a very effective advocate."

"John has real clarity of thought and an ability to cut through the difficulties in public law."

Aileen McColgan KC is a highly respected silk with impressive depth of knowledge in discrimination law. She is regularly instructed in cases concerning workplace and education discrimination, within a wider public law practice. Recent mandates include acting in judicial review proceedings for clients in the education and arts sectors.

"Aileen has expert knowledge and understanding of education law. She brings a calmness to litigation and is very approachable."

"Aileen understands the organisation and how we work. Her advice is to the point, clear and she comes up with good solutions for the problems we face."

Daniel Isenberg has developed a strong practice in administrative and public law. He has represented various central government departments including the Home Office and the Cabinet Office.

"Daniel is a very good on his feet. He is very intelligent and gets into the detail."

"Daniel is hands-on, very knowledgeable, efficient and very responsive."

"Daniel is really concise and crisp on paper, calm and unflappable."

Daniel Stilitz KC is an established silk adept at managing a broad range of administrative and public law cases on behalf of central and local government, and regulators in the medical field.

"Daniel delivers strong submissions."

"Daniel is a trusted advisor for us."

"A very experienced and polished advocate."

Joanne Clement KC handles a broad range of administrative and public law disputes before the Administrative, Appeal and Supreme Courts. Recently she has been active in cases involving healthcare and community care. Other areas of expertise include human rights and the allocation of public funds.

"I always admire her ability to put across and construct an argument."

"Her advice is very clear, lucid and pragmatic."

Jonathan Auburn KC handles judicial reviews on behalf of claimants as well as respondents. His broad practice includes claims involving human rights, community care, education and local government duties. He is well versed in safeguarding matters relating to children in care.

"Jonathan is a technical lawyer."

"Jonathan is a go-to counsel on some of our more complex JR matters, particularly those involving complex legal principle. He provides excellent and clear advice."

"Jonathan is extremely supportive, responsive and works incredibly hard. His knowledge of all things healthcare is impressive."

Julian Milford KC is a go-to silk for central and local government in judicial review and constitutional law matters. He has recently been instructed in significant challenges concerning surveillance powers and the public sector equality duty.

"Julian is very user-friendly. His drafting is excellent."

"Julian provides strategic and sensible advice in anticipation of litigation. His friendly style is coupled with his extensive deep subject matter expertise."

Patrick Halliday is a member of the Attorney General's A panel and is regularly instructed by central government as well as local government. Recent highlights include involvement in landmark COVID-19-related judicial review claims brought by the Good Law Project.

"Patrick is bright and engaged. He is always happy to put in time and he has very sound judgement."

"Patrick is calm, measured and his written drafting is particularly good."

Rupert Paines represents a range of clients, from individuals to campaign groups and regulators, in complex public law challenges. He is regularly instructed in cases concerning data protection and human rights amongst other areas.

"Rupert has really excellent knowledge and he is skilled in bringing that to bear in making assessments as to what course to plot."

"Rupert produces extraordinary work under time pressure."

Stephen Kosmin is regularly instructed to bring and defend major challenges on behalf of local authorities, regulators and government departments. He appears before the Court of Appeal and Administrative Court, and offers considerable expertise in judicial review claims in the financial regulatory space.

"Stephen is very calm, thorough and good on the detail."

Zoe Gannon is a member of the Attorney General's B panel of counsel and is also on the Equality and Human Rights Commission's panel. She receives instructions in the context of these two appointments, as well as from claimants, in a broad range of public law matters including challenges to welfare rules.

"Zoe Gannon is very good on public law."

Oliver Jackson is often instructed by central and local government bodies. He has a broad practice including judicial reviews related to community care and pensions reform.

"Oliver is very responsive. His written work is always very good."

"Oliver is really easy to deal with and communicates very easily. He writes very well. He provides very clear strategic objectives and tailors it to that."

"Oliver has very good written advocacy."

Raphael Hogarth is a public law barrister appearing in high-profile judicial reviews. He has been instructed to represent a variety of clients encompassing NGOs, commercial clients and central government bodies. He has appeared in major appeals including those heard by the Supreme Court.

"Raphael is extremely thorough and has developed excellent knowledge in his short career. He provides carefully constructed and well thought out advice and pleadings."

"Raphael is incredibly hardworking and detail-oriented. He is always all over the facts."

"Raphael is very strategic in his thinking and finds arguments that others miss - he also produces excellent drafts of pleadings and legal documents."

Amy Rogers KC is an extraordinarily talented lawyer who brings her expertise to bear in commercial public law work. She acts for a range of clients, including central and local government entities, corporates and financial institutions.

"Amy has an incredible ability to grasp the detail and apply that to our legal arguments. She has a great way with clients and she is completely responsive."

"Amy is able to clamp down on issues and speak the client's language."