Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Administrative & Public Law - London (Bar)

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Blackstone Chambers' pre-eminence in public law is demonstrated by its involvement in the most significant constitutional cases; the set also leads the field when it comes to commercial or human rights-focused judicial review. Recent highlights include members' role in the high-profile challenge to the Government’s decision to apply VAT to private school fees and their appearance in the challenge to the Octopus and Bulb energy deal. Members act for a multitude of central government departments as well as regulators across various industries, including energy, financial services and telecommunications. Barristers from the set are also instructed by claimants and campaign groups. The set boasts numerous appearances in the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, the Supreme Court and the ECtHR. One solicitor notes: "Blackstone are the thoroughbreds of the public law world, and it shows at every level, from silks who handle all the most complex cases to juniors who are technically excellent and reliable. There are no weak links."

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

David Pannick
David Pannick
Star Individuals

David Pannick KC is an outstanding public law silk routinely sought out for the most complex judicial reviews before the Supreme Court. His broad experience includes constitutional, human rights, EU and commercial law. He is also instructed in matters before the Hong Kong Court of Appeal.

David is a legend.

David Pannick stands out. He is so very clever.

David is very impressive. He has excellent advocacy and client management skills.

James Eadie
James Eadie
Star Individuals

James Eadie KC is the UK government's top choice to defend controversial legislation and policy. His expertise extends across all aspects of administrative and public law, including national security, human rights and immigration. He is instructed in the most complex constitutional law challenges, including matters before the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.

James instils complete confidence.

James is unflappable and is the right sort of authoritative.

James is an amazing oral advocate.

Ben Jaffey
1
Ben Jaffey
1
Band 1

Ben Jaffey KC is a leading authority in a broad array of public law matters including human rights, national security and immigration. He is particularly highly regarded for his command of issues relating to state surveillance. He is routinely instructed by individual, NGO and corporate claimants and government defendants, in novel judicial reviews.

Ben is a complete brainbox. He tailors his advice and makes complex areas of law easy and accessible.

Ben has the ear of the court. He is incredibly tactically astute.

Ben Jaffey is just exceptional. His cross-examination is absolutely devastating and is one of the most impressive things I have ever seen in the courtroom.

Ben is one of the best silks. He is super bright and very adept. He is completely on top of the case and is very committed to his clients. He can field all sorts of difficult queries from judges.

Ben is the leading expert on surveillance-related litigation. He is a very effective advocate and is excellent with clients.

Kate Gallafent
1
Kate Gallafent
1
Band 1

Kate Gallafent KC represents government departments, regulators and other public bodies in a range of high-profile public law matters. Her notably broad expertise includes a particular emphasis on data protection and human rights issues. She routinely appears in proceedings before the High Court and Court of Appeal.

Kate Gallafent has a good reputation and is effective and reliable.

Kate's advocacy is incredibly effective and rooted in a clear understanding of all the matters before her.

Monica Carss-Frisk
1
Monica Carss-Frisk
1
Band 1

Monica Carss-Frisk KC typically advocates on behalf of commercial clients seeking to challenge regulatory decisions before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. These include complex judicial review challenges concerning competition and financial services law. Her expertise in immigration and human rights law complements her robust public law practice.

Monica is an outstanding advocate, and if I needed someone of her stature in public law, I wouldn't hesitate to use her. She is thoughtful and calm under pressure.

Monica is a pleasure to work with. Her advice is clear and commercial.

Monica is who we turn to when asked to find the best silk, particularly for administrative law cases. She is extremely calm under pressure and a persuasive advocate.

Shaheed Fatima
1
Shaheed Fatima
1
Band 1

Shaheed Fatima KC possesses remarkable expertise in administrative and public law, including claims pursued under human rights and international law. She receives instructions from claimants, defendants and interveners in complex challenges to government policy and regulatory provisions before domestic and international courts.

Shaheed's mind and advocacy is utterly brilliant.

Shaheed was absolutely phenomenal in the Supreme Court.

Shaheed is a great advocate and someone you definitely want on your team. She is clear and concise in court, tenacious and collaborative.

Shaheed is really excellent. She is no-nonsense and solicitor-friendly.

Thomas de la Mare
1
Thomas de la Mare
1
Band 1

Thomas de la Mare KC is frequently involved in high-profile challenges to secondary legislation. His notably broad expertise includes public law cases which overlap with commercial, human rights and EU law. He is a strong choice for corporate clients pursuing difficult regulatory appeals.

Tom is a very clear and pragmatic barrister who cuts through the issues.

Tom is incredibly engaging in court and makes really insightful points.

Tom is very impressive and has fantastic advocacy. He has immense knowledge of public law.

Thomas is a tenacious and sharp-minded silk.

Thomas is deeply knowledgeable in EU law and is an impressive advocate.

Tom Hickman
1
Tom Hickman
1
Band 1

Tom Hickman KC is an immensely knowledgeable silk in administrative and public law. He acts in high-profile challenges to legislation and regulatory decisions, often before the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.

Tom is a really superb barrister who thinks outside of the box.

Tom is an extremely inventive and free-thinking public lawyer with a very impressive academic background. He is also a first-rate advocate.

Tom is the go-to silk for high-stakes disputes when you need a heavy hitter. He is relentless in his client's corner, and judges really like his approach.

Tom Hickman is a go-to for cutting-edge human rights cases in the commercial world. He has deep knowledge of the law and knows how it will develop.

Tom's clarity of advocacy and ability to distil the most important matters and present them to the judge in a persuasive way was really impressive and enjoyable to watch.

Charlotte Kilroy
2
Charlotte Kilroy
2
Band 2

Charlotte Kilroy KC frequently handles judicial reviews challenging decisions and policies of the Home Secretary as part of her immigration and asylum practice. She receives instructions from individual claimants as well as campaign groups seeking to challenge government policy.

Charlotte's advocacy is excellent. She really grasps clients' issues and is a definite first port of call.

Gayatri Sarathy
2
Gayatri Sarathy
2
Band 2

Gayatri Sarathy possesses a wealth of experience in public law challenges and regulatory matters. She is equally skilful whether representing NGOs, individuals or government bodies. Recent work includes high-profile challenges to government policy regarding nationality and welfare issues.

Gayatri is an absolute pleasure to work with. She is extremely clever and approachable, her drafting is excellent and her advice is always well considered.

Gayatri is a brilliant barrister.

Gayatri is very impressive and very responsive.

George Molyneaux
2
George Molyneaux
2
Band 2

George Molyneaux has built a distinguished public law practice and is regularly called upon to assist with major judicial reviews and appeals. His cases feature a broad range of issues ranging from the regulation of markets to welfare, immigration and asylum. He has acted in a number of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal cases.

George is incredibly responsive and undoubtedly has one of the sharpest legal intellects of anyone I have ever worked with.

George is extremely clever and hard-working. He is a go-to junior for complex commercial public law work.

Any silk who knows George gets him to write the skeleton. He is phenomenally smart and a ferocious advocate.

George is a superb lawyer with an impressive ability to think commercially and prioritise the most important legal points.

George has an extraordinary brain and a phenomenal grasp of black-letter law.

Iain Steele
2
Iain Steele
2
Band 2

Iain Steele's wide-ranging practice encompasses claims pursued under police, human rights and constitutional law. He represents claimants and defendants, including regulators, in a wide variety of industries. Steele has been appointed to the Attorney General's A Panel.

Iain provides very thorough and detailed legal analysis.

Iain is absolutely fantastic. He is so eloquent, persuasive and personable.

Iain is the real deal. It is only a matter of time before he takes silk.

He is an absolute pleasure to deal with and a real team player. He turns stuff around at very short notice.

Javan Herberg
2
Javan Herberg
2
Band 2

Javan Herberg KC is particularly well placed to handle administrative and public law cases that involve financial services regulation. He represents banks, financial regulators and other public bodies in complex judicial reviews.

Javan gave us incisive and practical advice and we found him to be very friendly and approachable.

Javan is a fantastic advocate. With him on the team, you can be certain he will fight your client's corner to the best of his ability.

Javan is absolutely someone you want to use for tricky regulatory or public law points. He is second to none in the crossover of financial intuition and public law.

My top choice for complex public law judicial review cases. He is a very user-friendly, intellectually creative and thoughtful silk.

Javan is concise and very trustworthy. He is particularly expert in finance cases.

Sam Grodzinski
2
Sam Grodzinski
2
Band 2

Sam Grodzinski KC's impressively broad administrative and public law expertise includes commercial judicial reviews and human rights claims. He receives instructions from an array of claimants and respondents, including energy and financial services regulators.

Sam's advocacy is second to none, and his drafting is amazing. He is able to finesse it like no other barrister.

Sam's advice is clear and commercial, and he is adept at delivering complex technical advice to clients in a digestible fashion.

Sam is one of the most persuasive advocates at the Bar. He is a fantastic leader who really listens to ideas. He doesn't shy away from difficult arguments.

Celia Rooney
3
Celia Rooney
3
Band 3

Celia Rooney has a growing reputation for her expert handling of a wide range of public law and regulatory work. She is sought out to act for central government departments, regulators, NGOs and individual claimants. She has appeared in high-profile proceedings before the Court of Appeal.

Celia is a bright junior and works incredibly hard.

Celia really gets into the details and provides invaluable support for solicitors.

Celia is dedicated and thorough, with a good eye. She masters technical detail quickly. She is a first-rate drafter on complex points.

Celia is so smart and provides very clear advice. She is also very responsive and helpful.

Daniel Cashman
3
Daniel Cashman
3
Band 3

Daniel Cashman is a strong performer in a wide range of public law challenges, with particular strengths in commercial, regulatory and competition matters. He is regularly instructed for and against regulators in the finance, energy and telecommunications sectors.

Daniel is really talented: he has a sharp intellect coupled with brilliant sense. He is phenomenally hard-working and massively committed to the case and the team.

Daniel is intimidatingly clever, with a masterful grasp of the policy context and legal principles on which he advises.

I cannot stress how valuable it is to have Daniel on a case. He is a great advocate. Daniel will be one of the great silks of the public law Bar.

Daniel has a high level of expertise in regulation and in analysis of complex legal issues.

Hanif Mussa
3
Hanif Mussa
3
Band 3

Hanif Mussa KC represents a range of clients, including private corporations and government departments, in novel administrative law challenges. He has notable recent experience in judicial reviews concerning the conduct of elections.

Hanif is ferociously intelligent, really precise and thoughtful in his advice. He is exactly who you want for tricky points and he is definitely senior beyond his years.

Hanif has very good legal analysis and is very methodical. He is extremely calm and measured. He gives very authoritative, well-considered and thought-out advice.

Hanif has a lovely client-handling manner and a great legal brain.

Jessica Boyd
3
Jessica Boyd
3
Band 3

Jessica Boyd KC advocates on behalf of a range of clients, including regulators in the energy and telecommunications sectors. She has particular expertise in commercial and regulatory judicial review, including claims involving EU and competition law. She is also adept in public law disputes involving human rights and privacy.

Jessica has sharp intellect with a high level of technical expertise, but she is equally astute to pragmatically and accurately assess situations and to turn them to the client's advantage.

Jessica has super clear, structured oral advocacy that is very impressive.

She creates arguments that others can't light a candle to. She is very impressive and has great advocacy.

Kieron Beal
3
Kieron Beal
3
Band 3

Kieron Beal KC acts in prominent judicial reviews concerning taxation and business regulation. He has also been involved in human rights cases such as those concerning the Chagossian removals. He represents commercial bodies, government departments and regulators, and is also instructed as Special Advocate.

Kieron has the ear of the court and he is both a team player and a strong leader. He is always so well prepared, succinct and articulate.

Natasha Simonsen
3
Natasha Simonsen
3
Band 3

Natasha Simonsen is a public law barrister who has appeared in important judicial reviews with impressive frequency. She is regularly instructed in cases involving human rights and constitutional law.

Natasha is incredibly responsive, intelligent and impressive.

She is just excellent in every respect of her work. Natasha shows a masterful grasp of our business and top-tier knowledge of public law. She is passionate about helping us to achieve our goals.

Natasha is a very clever lawyer and a very effective advocate.

Natasha is a brilliant lawyer who is extremely dedicated and committed to her clients.

She is extremely impressive and picks up complex principles quickly. She is very much the force and energy in the team.

Paul Luckhurst
3
Paul Luckhurst
3
Band 3

Paul Luckhurst is well placed to handle a range of public law matters. His recent work involves challenges to government policies regarding asylum seekers and trade. He is a member of the Attorney General's A Panel.

Paul is incredible and his written work is utterly brilliant.

Paul is exceptional. He is incredibly bright, polished and user-friendly. He is a stellar advocate.

Paul immaculately crafted a winning point. He is ferociously intelligent and has a really impressive court style that is persuasive and knowledgeable.

Paul is a silk in waiting and a solicitor's dream. He absorbs complex information and produces work of the highest quality, even on the tightest of timetables. His advocacy is compelling and precise.

Paul is fantastically clever and delivers amazing judgement. He outshines much more senior people and is understated and thoughtful.

Ravi Mehta
3
Ravi Mehta
3
Band 3

Ravi Mehta is respected for his representation of claimants and defendants in high-profile judicial reviews and regulatory matters. He is particularly noted for his expertise in EU, competition and commercial cases.

Ravi always achieves fantastic results on critical matters. He is responsive, super bright and I have nothing but the highest praise for him.

Ravi provides an excellent service to clients.

Ravi is simply brilliant!

Hollie Higgins
4
Hollie Higgins
4
Band 4

Hollie Higgins has extensive expertise in a wide range of public law matters including commercial judicial review and issues relating to asylum and immigration, freedom of information and environmental law. She often acts for central government departments, regulators and charitable organisations in complex judicial reviews.

Hollie is an outstanding barrister.

Hollie Higgins is one to watch. She greatly impresses in the High Court and the Court of Appeal.

Isabel Buchanan
4
Isabel Buchanan
4
Band 4

Isabel Buchanan is a collaborative barrister with a flair for difficult legal analysis and growing experience in the area of public law. She has represented central government departments and claimants in a variety of judicial reviews concerning civil liberties or business regulation.

She has the skills, expertise and knowledge in public and international law to be a good all-round junior and excellent drafter in domestic cases that involve international law issues.

Isabel is a brilliant advocate and we are grateful for her support.

Isabel is able to produce exceptional written work. She can put novel points in ways that seem obvious and straightforward.

Jane Collier
4
Jane Collier
4
Band 4

Jane Collier is involved in significant administrative and public law cases on behalf of clients in the public sector, including regulators and local authorities. She is frequently instructed in regulatory challenges relating to social housing, energy and environmental law.

Jane has an incredible ability to digest vast amounts of information in limited time and to understand the most complex of matters.

Jane is a real asset on very thorny judicial reviews and fact-heavy matters. She will interrogate everything, and is brilliant and collaborative to work with.

Tom Coates
4
Tom Coates
4
Band 4

Tom Coates is a strong choice for a range of public law matters, focusing on regulated markets. He is instructed on behalf of regulators in energy, telecommunications and higher education. He is a member of the Attorney General's B Panel.

He always provides client-focused advice that gets to the root of complex issues. His ability to look ahead and advise on strategy is second to none.

Tom is an impressive barrister.

Tristan Jones
4
Tristan Jones
4
Band 4

Tristan Jones KC is a well-regarded barrister who is increasingly sought out in difficult administrative and public law disputes. He represents claimants and respondents in judicial review proceedings, and is adept in claims challenging decisions of regulators and other public bodies. He is regularly instructed in complex public law challenges before the Court of Appeal.

Tristan has a mature style of advocacy, so he seems relaxed on his feet and commands the confidence of the tribunal.

We rely heavily on Tristan to get successful outcomes. He is great on legal points and strategy.

U
Rayan Fakhoury
U
Up and Coming

Rayan Fakhoury is developing a highly regarded public law practice which regularly sees him representing both government departments and parties challenging governmental policy and law.

He is an exceptional junior who is way beyond his level of call.

Rayan is a genuine pleasure to work with. He is clever, responsive and clear in his advice and drafting. I would not hesitate to instruct him again.

Rayan is one of my favourite juniors.

Rayan’s ability to analyse a legal issue from all sides, while keep an eye on the overall objective of the case, is remarkable. Not to mention his legal drafting is watertight and punchy.

Fraser Campbell
Fraser Campbell
New Silks

Fraser Campbell KC is regularly instructed by claimant companies in judicial reviews against pharmaceutical and healthcare regulators. He is lauded for his work at the intersection of commercial litigation and public law, and has noted expertise in diverse sectors including pensions, welfare and prisons. He frequently appears in cases before the CJEU, Court of Appeal and Administrative Court.

Fraser is commercially aware and is able to see the bigger picture of his advice.

Fraser is very calm, great with clients and really a joy to work with.

Fraser writes very well, is extremely responsive and is a pleasure to work with.

Fraser is someone we rely on for tricky public law questions, especially those with an energy regulatory overlay. He is client-friendly, commercial and pragmatic.

Jason Pobjoy
Jason Pobjoy
New Silks

Jason Pobjoy KC is frequently involved in complex judicial reviews before the Supreme Court. He has a strong emphasis on cases involving a crossover with regulatory and EU law, including human rights challenges. He acts for a broad range of clients, including the government, NGOs and individuals.

Jason has a brain the size of a planet. I instruct him for anything tricky, for difficult legal analysis and for his practical judgement.

Jason has excellent judgement: he knows when to push a point and when to hold back. This strategic judgement is what we look for in a leader, and Jason has got it.

Jason is a wonder: he is extremely bright, and his work is always clear and considered. He is an absolute star and always a top choice for me.

Jason is simply brilliant on judicial review and European Court of Human Rights cases.

Clients really like Jason because he is very clear and he is particularly good with strategically aligning law with client objectives.

Naina Patel
Naina Patel
New Silks

Naina Patel KC maintains a varied administrative and public law practice which involves significant challenges to government policy, as well as regulatory appeals. She has vast experience of representing applicants, defendants and interveners in judicial reviews. Her broad practice includes bringing challenges to cuts in welfare as well as regulatory decisions.

She produces amazing, high-quality work on complex and urgent matters and is on top of the factual context.

She is a talented public law barrister with broad governmental experience that she can draw on to turn her mind to any matter. A real intellect!

Naina is brilliant. Her commitment is unwavering, and her ability to get clients to where they need to be is impressive to see in action.

Naina is a very courageous advocate. She always fights for her clients' interests with full rigour.

Ranked Barristers at
Blackstone Chambers

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

London (Bar)

Administrative & Public Law

David Pannick KC
David Pannick KC
Star Individuals
James Eadie KC
James Eadie KC
Star Individuals
Ben Jaffey KC
1
Ben Jaffey KC
1
Band 1
Kate Gallafent KC
1
Kate Gallafent KC
1
Band 1
Monica Carss-Frisk KC
1
Monica Carss-Frisk KC
1
Band 1
Shaheed Fatima KC
1
Shaheed Fatima KC
1
Band 1
Thomas de la Mare KC
1
Thomas de la Mare KC
1
Band 1
Tom Hickman KC
1
Tom Hickman KC
1
Band 1
Charlotte Kilroy KC
2
Charlotte Kilroy KC
2
Band 2
Javan Herberg KC
2
Javan Herberg KC
2
Band 2
Sam Grodzinski KC
2
Sam Grodzinski KC
2
Band 2
Hanif Mussa KC
3
Hanif Mussa KC
3
Band 3
Jessica Boyd KC
3
Jessica Boyd KC
3
Band 3
Kieron Beal KC
3
Kieron Beal KC
3
Band 3
Tristan Jones KC
4
Tristan Jones KC
4
Band 4
Fraser Campbell KC
Fraser Campbell KC
New Silks
Jason Pobjoy KC
Jason Pobjoy KC
New Silks
Naina Patel KC
Naina Patel KC
New Silks

Juniors

London (Bar)

Administrative & Public Law

Gayatri Sarathy
2
Gayatri Sarathy
2
Band 2
George Molyneaux
2
George Molyneaux
2
Band 2
20 of 31 results