Administrative & Public Law

Nigel Pleming KC maintains a diverse public and administrative law practice which includes acting in regulatory, local government, environmental and human rights challenges.

"Nigel is one of the most charming people at the bar."

Fenella Morris KC typically handles administrative and public law cases which arise in the healthcare setting. She acts for claimants, NGOs, NHS bodies and local authorities. Recent mandates include challenges to pensions regulation for medical professionals.

"Fenella is brilliant with clients whom she listens to and counsels in an easy and accessible manner. Her advocacy reflects her strategic and persuasive nature; she has excellent strategic savvy."

Jenni Richards KC's wide-ranging public and administrative law practice focuses on major judicial reviews challenging aspects of health and community care provision. She is frequently instructed by individuals, NGOs and trade unions. She has also acted as lead counsel to the Infected Blood Inquiry.

"Jenni is an excellent advocate who gives practical and strategic advice."

"Jenni has a very subtle but powerful advocacy style; she carefully and methodically builds up hugely persuasive arguments."

"Jenni easily grapples with difficult and complex issues, explaining difficulty principles and strategies patiently to lay clients. She is a pleasure to work with."

Lisa Giovannetti KC is routinely instructed by government defendants in significant judicial reviews which involve human rights law. She is an especially strong choice for cases concerning immigration and national security.

"Lisa has got a real ability to cut through matters and get to the heart of things."

"Lisa is someone who commands the complete respect of judges."

Alexander Ruck Keene focuses his administrative and public law practice on the scope and application of mental capacity and human rights law. He regularly acts for applicants in novel legal challenges. He has extensive experience handling judicial reviews concerning deprivation of liberty and the refusal of life-sustaining treatment.

"Alexander is the doyen of the mental capacity act and mental health act."

Catherine Dobson is an impressive barrister who has acted in some of the most significant judicial reviews of recent times. She has a remarkably broad public law practice covering constitutional and environmental law. She represents both claimants and defendants.

"Catherine has a real finger on the pulse and she is very talented in crafting very intelligent legal submissions."

"Catherine is very bright and hardworking. She has a practical common sense and thinks about cases in terms of what we are trying to achieve and not only the legal principles."

Charles Cory-Wright KC is renowned for his work as Special Advocate. He is often involved in sensitive cases regarding terrorism, national security and allegations of state-sanctioned torture.

"Charlie is exceptionally good with clients. He is very good at reassuring clients who are under a lot of stress."

Jack Anderson has significant experience acting for central and local government, as well as businesses, in complex judicial review challenges. Areas of focus in his practice include housing, immigration and welfare.

"Jack Anderson is very thorough, prompt and effective."

"Jack has a really good grasp on public law principles. He has an understated advocacy style but he is effective, very calm and relaxed in court."

James Strachan KC handles administrative and public law cases on behalf of claimants and defendants. He is experienced in claims arising in the criminal justice and financial services spheres, and his expertise in human rights and planning law strongly complements his public law practice.

"He's always extremely well prepared and very good with clients."

"James has a very gentle style of advocacy that cuts straight to the issues."

"James is a master of detail and tactics and is easy to work with."

Jennifer Thelen is frequently sought out to act in and advise on public law matters relating to immigration, human rights and healthcare. She often represents central government, including the Home Office, as well as NHS organisations and trade unions.

"Jennifer is an exceptional individual in terms of her knowledge, experience and efficiency."

"Jennifer is particularly strong on national security work. She has a really lovely manner with clients and her oral advocacy is very good."

"Jennifer has excellent powers of analysis. She communicates confidently and persuasively on paper and in person. She works hard and collaborates really effectively."

Kate Grange KC's practice encompasses a wide range of public law proceedings, from judicial reviews relating to national security and terrorism, to her work as counsel to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

"Kate has all the qualities needed in a public law barrister."

Rory Dunlop KC is an acclaimed silk who has notable recent experience, as A-Panel junior counsel, representing various government departments in judicial reviews of wide-ranging importance. Recent areas of focus include disputes relating to immigration and asylum and the provision of childcare.

"Rory is a very engaging advocate."

"Rory delivers effective advocacy."

Vikram Sachdeva KC is a respected silk with a strong background in healthcare judicial review. As a former doctor, he brings an unusual depth of knowledge to the field, and is regularly instructed in a wide range of administrative and public law matters.

"Vikram is an excellent advocate, he is great with clients and he identifies winning points."

"Vikram is very creative when thinking about challenges in the future and what aspects that may be at risk."

Benjamin Tankel is a well-respected barrister who operates a varied public law practice. Key areas of focus include cases concerning healthcare provision and asylum accommodation. He acts in judicial reviews for public authorities and commercial entities.

"Benjamin gets to grips with issues remarkably quickly."

Deok Joo Rhee KC is a highly respected silk who possesses notable expertise in major public law cases with elements of EU and human rights law. She regularly represents central government departments and local authorities in immigration, constitutional and discrimination-related judicial review.

"Deok Joo Rhee KC is super hardworking."

She is an excellent public lawyer who is really respected by judges.

Jack Holborn is a go-to junior barrister for various government departments and private clients across a breadth of administrative and public law matters. He possesses considerable expertise in matters concerning prisons, welfare and immigration.

"Jack is really knowledgeable and easy to work with. He is great at turning around skeleton arguments."

Katherine Apps KC excels when representing claimants and defendants in complex judicial reviews. She is particularly proficient at public law claims invoking equality, human rights and EU law. She typically acts for central government in challenges to public policy and decisions.

"Katherine is amazing across the board. She has a really incisive mind. She gets to the nub of the issue and she is a very safe pair of hands."

Nicola Kohn is a well-respected barrister who operates a varied public law practice. Key areas of focus include healthcare judicial reviews; Kohn also garners instructions from central government in matters relating to defence and immigration.

"Nicola Kohn is a tenacious, firm and effective advocate."

"Nicola is bright and always a pleasure to work with. She is prompt in her responses and is able to consider complex and novel issues."

Steven Kovats KC predominantly defends controversial decisions of the UK government. His wide-ranging experience in public and administrative law encompasses cases about criminal justice, foreign affairs, national security, immigration and human rights. He appears in the appellate and European courts on behalf of government departments, local authorities and other public bodies.

"Steven puts his arguments across with great force."

Victoria Butler-Cole KC commands great respect among clients and peers for her vast expertise and impressive advocacy. Her broad health and social care practice includes a substantial number of administrative and public law cases. She is particularly prominent for handling appeals to community care provision and deprivation of liberty challenges.

"As well as being amazing on the law, Victoria is really good on strategy for litigation."

"Victoria is very user-friendly, bright and sensible. She's sensitive to the client's aims and great on her feet."

Stephanie David is establishing a varied public law practice. She has been routinely instructed by NGOs and local government bodies in challenges focused on health, environment and procurement.

"Her cases are well presented and thought through."

Colin Thomann KC has wide-reaching administrative and public law expertise, covering immigration, prisons and environmental matters. As a member of the Attorney General's A panel, he is frequently called upon to defend the Home Secretary in policy and decision-making challenges.

"Colin has a very good way of putting things, of couching things in language that judges can relate to."

Steve Broach KC has considerable experience of bringing challenges against local and central government decisions. He is particularly committed to handling cases involving disabled claimants and is active in challenges involving healthcare provision and housing allocation by local authorities.

"His subject knowledge in social care and homelessness is absolutely superb. He is a pleasure to work with."

"Steve always explains the nuances of cases in a way suited to his clients' needs."

"The lay client is always firmly at the heart of his advice and he is able to consider creative solutions to address."

"Steve is incredibly approachable; he has excellent client rapport and is a brilliant advocate."