Civil Liberties & Human Rights

Jenni Richards KC is a respected human rights silk who routinely acts for both claimants and defendants. She demonstrates great skill across a number of areas, including local government, prison law and community care. She has additional capability in matters stemming from mental health and education law and regularly appears at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. She is lead counsel to the Infected Blood Inquiry.

Lisa Giovannetti KC is a highly esteemed barrister offering expert advice on asylum, immigration and national security matters. She is regularly sought out by public authorities, government bodies and individual claimants, often appearing on their behalf before the Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights.

Andrew Deakin focuses his human rights practice on advising government in connection with national security-related cases, as well as matters involving human trafficking, asylum and prisons. He is appointed to the Attorney General’s A Panel.

James Strachan KC is well versed in the arena of civil liberties and human rights, and makes frequent appearances in the European Court of Human Rights. He regularly contributes to high-profile cases centring on complex issues, such as the Secretary of State’s approach to detaining asylum seekers who claim to be minors but appear to be adults. He has significant experience in a variety of different areas, including mental health, immigration and national security matters.

Victoria Butler-Cole KC focuses her practice on health and social care-related violations of human rights. She regularly handles significant damages claims and is highly regarded for her skilful handling of complex judicial review proceedings. She is on the Panel of Preferred Counsel for the Equality and Human Rights Commission and is routinely instructed by the Commission as intervener.

Katherine Apps KC impresses as a standout barrister with notable expertise in civil liberties and human rights law, particularly equality and discrimination matters. She regularly appears before domestic and international courts at all levels, and is a member of the EHRC’s panel of counsel.

Katherine Barnes is acclaimed for her dedication to human rights law. She regularly handles complex judicial reviews, as well as damages claims, and she represents both commercial clients and legally aided individuals.

Nicola Kohn is a strong choice of barrister for a comprehensive range of human rights cases, including those involving Article 2, and those crossing over with Court of Protection law and concerning capacity to consent.

Rory Dunlop KC represents government in sensitive immigration, asylum and deportation challenges, typically involving national security matters. He has been notably active in human rights challenges concerning the deprivation of British citizenship.

Scarlett Milligan is an up-and-coming junior barrister, who represents both claimants and government bodies in cases focused on racial discrimination, prisons and trafficking. She is routinely instructed by the Secretary of State for Justice and is on the Attorney General’s B Panel of Counsel.

Steve Broach KC is a discrimination and disability rights specialist who regularly appears in high-profile human rights challenges in the Supreme Court. Many of his cases arise in an educational context, and he often represents vulnerable children and local authorities.

Vikram Sachdeva KC is well versed in complex human rights matters pertaining to medical law. He regularly appears on behalf of local authorities or private individuals in high-profile human rights challenges, including in the Supreme Court.

Stephanie David is often instructed to pursue claims under the European Convention of Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998. Her work addresses issues of anti-abortion protests, withdrawal of life-saving treatment and consent related to surrogacy agreements.