Administrative & Public Law

Richard Drabble KC is a renowned advocate noted for his expertise in administrative and public law cases concerning social justice and human rights. He is also experienced in handling EU, regulatory and planning challenges on behalf of claimants, defendants and interveners. He frequently acts in litigation that involves overlap between immigration and national security issues.

"Richard is insightful."

David Blundell KC is highly sought after to represent claimants, defendants and interveners in significant challenges to government legislation. He has particular strengths in planning, human rights and EU law. He has also been involved in high-profile public law disputes concerning healthcare, pharmaceuticals and immigration.

"David is an absolute pleasure to work with. His drafting is really concise and well written. He is tactically good as well."

"David provides very thorough opinions very quickly which are very detailed and accessible. He really knows his stuff in this area."

"David is really nice to work with and very clever. He also likes to take a creative approach to think of different legal and unusual answers to a problem."

"He is excellent both in terms of presentation, and oral and written advocacy. His presentation of arguments in court is measured and effective."

James Maurici KC is often seen in complex judicial reviews in the planning, environment and regulatory spheres. He is experienced in local government, EU and human rights law. He advises public bodies and private clients in public law matters, and also has experience advocating before domestic and European courts.

"James has the ear of the court."

"James really does add value. He gets up to speed quickly and he is very helpful in terms of his insight."

Julia Smyth is a go-to barrister to act for and advise central government in a wide range of public and administrative law matters. She has experience handling matters concerning social security, healthcare and transport.

"Julia is very clear and delivers good structured submissions."

"She offers her clients a comprehensive service."

"Julia is a good advocate. She is good at explaining complex matters."

Tim Buley KC provides masterful representation of claimants and defendants in high-profile judicial review challenges. His broad public and administrative law practice encompasses commercial, regulatory and human rights claims.

"Tim is really strong on withdrawal agreement law and its implications in different contexts."

"Tim is good at cutting through all the difficult detail and pulling out the main points. He never takes a bad point. He is very effective."

"He is thorough and good at building relationships with clients."

Leon Glenister is a popular choice for judicial reviews relating to a diverse set of issues including planning, environment, healthcare and education law. He is frequently instructed by individual claimants, central government and public bodies.

"Leon's strength is in education related challenges."

"Leon is very user-friendly and easy to work with. He adds a lot of value to new and complex areas of the law."

"Leon is really good in complex technical cases."

"Leon is super easy to work with. He has very good written work."

Samantha Broadfoot KC is a powerful advocate who is adept at managing a wide range of public law proceedings. She regularly receives instructions from central government departments, regulators and campaign groups. She has been involved in significant cases concerning healthcare, service provision and social welfare.

"Samantha is incredibly effective. Judges like her as she has a very easy manner because she puts in the effort with detail and she is very approachable."

"She is very calm and considered with very considerable skills at handling difficult meetings and issues."

"Samantha is very forensic in her approach to the pleadings and issues."

Admas Habteslasie has a growing reputation advising individuals, organisations and central government, in public law challenges related to welfare support, human rights and immigration. He is particularly noted for his extensive experience handling claims for vulnerable individuals such as asylum seekers and victims of trafficking.

"Admas is a brilliant public lawyer. He is really smart and exceptionally bright. He is very pragmatic at public law because he knows what the court is receptive to and what it's not."

"He is excellent. He is very considered and really takes the time to think things through. I'd highly recommend him."

Alex Goodman KC possesses a broad base of public law expertise, including planning and environment as well as the full scope of immigration law challenges. He frequently acts for claimants as well as local government.

"Alex is a very impressive advocate in court because he has a lot of presence and he is able to put across arguments."

"Alex is a very clinical barrister. He has a very good approach."

David Elvin KC specialises in judicial reviews involving planning, infrastructure and property. He represents public bodies and claimants, and is well known for his handling of public inquiries relating to planning and development.

"David has a brilliant brain and he is good to work with."

"David is a brilliant advocate and clients love working with him."

Galina Ward KC is highly praised by peers for her knowledge and advocacy across the sphere of public law. She possesses considerable experience across public and property law, acting for and against central and local government. She is frequently instructed to defend government policy and decision-making, including in the areas of education and welfare.

"Galina is very intelligent and gets to the core of a subject very quickly. She can easily pick out the key points of things."

"Galina is an excellent strategist with an unsurpassed attention to detail."

"She has an excellent client manner. She is very bright and a really good advocate. She keeps things simple and explains them in a common sense way."

Gwion Lewis KC is a highly regarded planning and environment specialist. He tends to represent central government and other public authorities in judicial reviews.

"Gwion provides very well structured work."

Miranda Butler is a well-regarded public law barrister who offers strong expertise in matters spanning immigration and healthcare provision. She often acts on behalf of individual claimants in challenges brought against central government. She is regularly sought after to handle high-profile judicial reviews involving unlawful detention and victims of trafficking.

"Miranda is really good at condensing complex issues to brief and easy to understand submissions. She is very good when it comes to strategy."

"Miranda will always provide thorough advice as promptly as possible."

"Miranda always goes above and beyond. She is a go-to barrister because she is incredibly responsive and hardworking."

"Miranda is an excellent and promising junior with considerable expertise in asylum and immigration related judicial reviews."

Natasha Jackson is a well-recognised junior and often acts for individuals and government departments in public law matters. She frequently handles cases related to issues of immigration and asylum support.

"Natasha has a wonderful tactical awareness and clearly knows public law issues very well."

"Natasha manages to cut through the complexity."

"Natasha is hardworking and she has extremely good judgement."

Siân McGibbon has a broad public law practice where she represents individuals and local authorities. She frequently handles cases related to social care and homelessness.

"Siân is very creative and always prepared to push a point."

"Siânprovides very good advice. She is very supportive."