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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Naina Patel KC 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.