Civil Liberties & Human Rights

David Pannick KC is an undisputed leader at the Bar, who has extensive experience of handling the most significant, high-profile human rights cases before domestic, European and international courts. He is a popular choice among both claimants and defendants, given his broad-based expertise and formidable reputation. He has considerable expertise in Hong Kong in particular, where he acts across a range of sophisticated matters.

"David is absolutely on his A-game. He is seasoned, high quality, a Rolls Royce-standard litigator."

James Eadie KC has a stellar reputation in the field of civil liberties and human rights. As Treasury Devil, he is instructed by government in high-profile judicial review proceedings. He is a familiar face in the ECtHR and a recognised authority on HRA challenges. He is able to take on a range of issues, from right to life to Crown immunity, and is an expert when it comes to the intersection of UK law with the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

"James is truly prolific – he is an outstanding practitioner."

Jason Pobjoy is a highly sought-after junior barrister acclaimed for his work for claimants in a plethora of civil liberties and human rights matters. He is highly regarded as an expert on the interplay between public international law and human rights, an area in which he has extensive academic experience. He also has significant practical experience of acting in high-profile cases concerning refugees, British military action abroad and sanctions.

"Jason is great. He has huge capacity for work and is highly able and enthusiastic."

"Jason is a force of nature. He has a deep understanding of broader public international law, an incredible intellect and an incredible work ethic."

Ben Jaffey KC has a diverse client base comprising individuals, companies, central and local government, regulators and public interest groups. He is held in high esteem for his expertise in areas such as detention, data retention and the environment. He frequently appears before the Supreme Court.

"Ben's intellectual rigour stands out; he is so sharp and able to focus on key issues. He finds the points that nobody sees."

"Ben knows an answer to any question you can think of. He's a superstar."

"He is one of the top public law barristers as he has a distinctive ability to judge how a court or judge is going to respond to a range of different arguments, and that judgement is always spot on."

Monica Carss-Frisk KC, joint head of Blackstone Chambers, is an esteemed practitioner offering top-quality advice and advocacy to a diverse client base, including high-profile individual claimants and various public authorities. Her notably broad-based expertise encompasses areas such as freedom of information, immigration and disability discrimination, often with multi-jurisdictional elements. She has a strong international practice, having been called to the Bar in Hong Kong, the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands.

"Monica is unflappable."

Shaheed Fatima KC is a highly acclaimed and talented silk who routinely provides expert representation to NGOs, governments and private individuals, domestically and internationally. Her broad expertise covers areas such as immigration, sanctions and unlawful detention. She is particularly well versed in the UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, and is an authority on the protection of children in armed conflict.

"Shaheed has excellent strategic perspective."

"Her reputation precedes her – she is one of the cleverest people in the area."

Timothy Otty KC is particularly noted for his adroit handling of cases concerning state immunity and economic sanctions. He is regularly called on to tackle high-profile, complex matters before domestic, European and international courts.

"Tim's advocacy was nothing short of masterful. He is an exceptional advocate and is passionate about the subject matter."

"Timothy is extremely experienced and intelligent, but also kind, thoughtful and approachable."

"Tim's breadth of experience and depth of expertise were immensely helpful during the course of the case."

"Tim is a steady hand who provides meaningful advice and direction on key issues."

"Timothy Otty is one of the most impressive lawyers I ever met. He's exceptionally intelligent and insightful."

Tom Hickman KC is a highly regarded silk who has notable experience in complex appellate cases. He regularly appears before all levels of court, including the Supreme Court and the ECtHR, litigating both for and against regulatory, government and public bodies. Possessed of far-reaching expertise, he has recently focused on the human rights issues surrounding diplomatic immunity, data protection and UK benefits schemes.

"Tom combines his practice with being an academic, which enriches his advocacy and gives him a wider perspective."

"Tom has scope and breadth in his ingenuity, thinking and legal arguments."

Tom Mountford is a skilled barrister praised for his work across both domestic and international human rights cases. He is particularly recognised for his involvement in human rights and civil liberties cases pertaining to LGBTQ+ rights.

"Tom is a very strong junior."

Iain Steele commands considerable respect in the human rights field and is a regular feature in specialist tribunals and the Administrative Court, as well as appellate and European courts. He is an adroit representative of both claimants and respondents, offering expertise in areas such as social security, community care and prisoners' rights.

"Ian has a strong written advocacy. His advice is provided in a good form for lay clients to work with."

Kate Gallafent KC is a highly regarded civil liberties silk, specialising in gender rights and human trafficking, as well as the scope of Article 8 ECHR and the right to privacy, among other human rights issues. She frequently appears on behalf of defendants, and has experience before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

"Kate is an excellent leader and a thoughtful and measured advocate. She is sensible and trustworthy in court."

"She is very calm and very precise, with a very clear manner with the court. Judges just adore her and she is fantastic at managing clients."

Naina Patel offers expert advice across the full spectrum of human rights and public law matters, demonstrating particular skill in complex judicial review proceedings. She is regularly called upon to handle significant cases concerning defence and foreign policy, as well as asylum and immigration matters. She routinely acts for claimants and interested parties, as well as the government.

"She is clearly an excellent barrister with exceptional written advocacy."

"Naina manages difficult personalities well and gets everyone to work together. She is a very able advocate and an amazing legal researcher."

"She is a brilliant all-round lawyer who can do anything. She is a leading expert in matters relating to rights to religious freedom."

Paul Luckhurst is a highly able barrister who focuses his human rights practice on human trafficking and matters at the intersection of civil liberties and public international law. He often acts for NGOs and public interest groups, and has appeared before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal and the CJEU.

"Paul is good strategically and in his drafting. He is very bright and has experience in working on complex matters."

"Paul is absolutely brilliant! He is a strong drafter of written arguments."

"Paul is smart and responsive. He is good at liaising with the solicitor team."

Thomas de la Mare KC is an esteemed practitioner whose broad-based expertise covers the gamut of civil liberties and human rights law. He is a regular feature in cases concerning terrorism, torture and free speech, as well as immigration matters. He acts for companies, public bodies and private individuals.

"Thomas is extremely hard-working. He has an engaging style of advocacy."

"Thomas sees things coming before others do; he is very good in spotting trends and problems before they arise."

"Tom is phenomenal. He is highly intelligent, very quick to come up with effective strategies in complex cases, and hugely knowledgeable about EU/retained EU and Withdrawal Agreement law."

Charlotte Kilroy KC is a dynamic human rights silk with a respected practice, who demonstrates broad skill in the field and has particular expertise in cases concerning deportation, false imprisonment and national security matters. She is noted for her strength in complex immigration cases, undercover police investigations and broader constitutional issues.

"Charlotte is one of the most tenacious fighters I have encountered. She really fights hard for her clients and is not afraid to think outside the box."

"Charlotte is incredibly sharp and fast to see the issues that not many would."

Ravi Mehta enjoys a widespread reputation as a knowledgeable and creative barrister with a broad human rights practice. He is well versed in the ECHR and the Human Rights Act 1998, and frequently acts in front of the European Court of Human Rights.

"Ravi is super bright, commercial and easy to work with."

"He is highly intelligent and able to get to the nub of complex issues."

Sam Grodzinski KC is a highly thought-of barrister who wins particular praise for his advocacy style and intellectual prowess. He routinely tackles complex matters on behalf of both claimants and defendants, including central and local government bodies. He practises before all levels of the UK courts and the ECtHR, and in several other international jurisdictions. He handles a range of human rights issues, from religion-related cases to judicial immunity.

"Sam is an extremely effective silk."

David Pievsky KC is a highly regarded human rights barrister with a wealth of experience in the field. He regularly handles cases concerning property rights, the right to privacy and freedom of expression. He is particularly noted for his aptitude in matters concerning the right to protest or religious expression. He is equally capable of acting for both claimants and respondents, in all fora, including the Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights.

"David has a fierce intellect and exceptional drafting skills. He has a very collaborative approach to work."

George Molyneaux has experience of a broad range of civil liberties and human rights matters. He has advised government departments, individual claimants and NGOs in both domestic and international cases. He is a member of the Attorney General's C Panel and the Equality and Human Rights Commission's Panel.

"George is an incredibly bright advocate, with skill in identifying key issues and navigating the demands of complex litigation."

"George is an asset to a legal team. He grasps key legal issues swiftly and provides clear and comprehensive advice at each stage."

"George is exceptionally bright and comes up with extremely creative legal solutions."

"George is an impressive legal mind and is a wonderful person to work with. He has a unique superpower: he is able to strategise and handle very complex cases in a calm and efficient manner."

Hanif Mussa KC has a range of expertise focused on civil liberties, in both domestic and international courts. He features in both the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, focusing on issues arising from the General Election and voter identification.

"Hanif is amazing on difficult points of law. He is very measured, methodical and structured."

"Hanif is inscrutable and strategically able; it is difficult to get a measure of him as an opponent."

"He is a clear and succinct advocate, who makes his points gently and thoroughly. He doesn't need to shout to get his points across."

Isabel Buchanan is a well-regarded junior barrister who advises individual claimants, charities and governmental departments on matters concerning civil liberties and human rights. Her recent cases have involved issues including immigration and asylum, torture and prison conditions.

"Isabel's drafting is really crisp, clean and powerful. She can strike the right balance of technicality and emotional perspective, bearing in mind the outlook of the case."

"Isabel's attention to detail was second to none, as was her depth of legal knowledge."

Ivan Hare KC is an accomplished barrister with human rights expertise covering a range of areas, including the right to privacy and the law surrounding hate speech. He is well known for his work in discrimination law, including transgender rights and political belief.

"Ivan is both fair and thorough."

"Ivan is intellectually high-calibre, with an impressive style of advocacy. He has a way of engaging the court that demands respect and attention, and is very persuasive on his feet."

Jessica Boyd KC is a highly regarded barrister recognised for her tremendous capabilities in the field of civil liberties and human rights. She handles matters at all levels, and is particularly noted for her acumen in discrimination cases and those concerning the right to a fair trial.

"Jessica is a great team player. She has really good judgement. I would definitely recommend her and instruct her again."

Rayan Fakhoury is an up-and-coming junior handling an array of human rights issues. He is praised by the members of the bar for his involvement in matters focused on immigration and refugee rights.

"Rayan Fakhoury did some of the most extraordinary junior work I've ever seen."

"Rayan is seriously good."