Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Civil Liberties & Human Rights - London (Bar)

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Blackstone Chambers is lauded as a legendary set for its human rights practice. Its barristers appear in prominent disputes before the Supreme Court and European Court of Human Rights, routinely handling cases of extraordinary complexity and gravity. Recent major cases have included R (Duke of Sussex) v Secretary of State for the Home Department, in a challenge to the Duke's state security provision while in the UK and R (Castellucci) v Gender Recognition Panel, focused on the recognition of foreign-acquired non-binary bodies. One client praises Blackstone Chambers as a "solid set with a proud and distinguished record of excellence."

Mat Swallow leads the team as Chambers Director, with Derek Sutton and Adam Sloane acting as Joint Senior Clerks.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

David Pannick
David Pannick
Star Individuals

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 Pannick is exceptionally brilliant at everything but he's so human and just a straightforward good person.

Everything David touches is gold.

David Pannick is David Pannick; he is a star at everything.

David Pannick is the best of the best. He is like no other and I have never worked with a lawyer like that.

David Pannick is truly in a class of his own.

James Eadie
James Eadie
Star Individuals

Sir James Eadie KC has a stellar reputation in the field of civil liberties and human rights. As Treasury Devil, he is instructed by the 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 Eadie is extraordinary at what he does.

James is definitely a star individual.

James is absolutely exceptional in this area of the law.

Ben Jaffey
1
Ben Jaffey
1
Band 1

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 Jaffey is head and shoulders better than almost anyone.

Ben Jaffey is like a machine when it comes to details; he is on top of absolutely everything.

Ben is a superlative advocate with an encyclopaedic knowledge of human rights and international human rights law.

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

Ben fights really hard for clients.

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

Monica Carss-Frisk KC 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 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 a leading KC.

People listen when Monica talks.

Monica has a stellar reputation and is fabulous to work with.

Monica's presentation in court is brilliant.

Monica really gains the trust of the court and has a courtroom manner that is very endearing; she is calm and unflappable.

Shaheed Fatima
1
Shaheed Fatima
1
Band 1

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

Shaheed is the go-to person in this area; she is all over the law, is extremely diligent and brilliant strategically.

Shaheed Fatima is a fierce advocate who is analytically strong and able to fight her client's corner in the most difficult and dicey issues.

Shaheed Fatima is a legend in this space.

Shaheed's advice is extremely concise, thoughtful and well-delivered.

Shaheed Fatima is clearly one of the leading experts in mass-environmental claims.

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

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.

Thoma is super bright and his recall of material and case law is second to none.

Thomas is a flamboyant advocate, involved in all the big cases.

Thomas is incredibly engaging in court.

Thomas is at the top of his game when it comes to knowing about civil rights and liberties.

Thomas de la Mare is kind, enthusiastic and very clever.

Timothy Otty
1
Timothy Otty
1
Band 1

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

Timothy Otty has superb advocacy skills, unrivalled knowledge of human rights and a great sense of humour!

Timothy Otty is an amazing barrister with incomparable breadth of experience.

Timothy Otty is the finest of them all!

Tim is a real expert on everything ECHR and is a safe pair of hands when navigating difficult political questions.

Timothy Otty is a gentleman, an innovative leader and a visionary.

Tom Hickman
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Tom Hickman
1
Band 1

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's thoughts are really very deep and thought through.

Tom is one of the best public lawyers.

Tom really thinks outside the box; he is very creative, with a very relaxed advocacy style.

Tom is very original in his thinking.

Tom Mountford
1
Tom Mountford
1
Band 1

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 Mountford is truly excellent.

Tom in particular is excellent on civil liberties.

Tom Mountford is very good at civil liberties and soft sanctions work.

Charlotte Kilroy
2
Charlotte Kilroy
2
Band 2

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 best human rights silks.

Charlotte Kilroy is fearless, tenacious and doesn't let go of a point.

I've been impressed with Charlotte's expertise and advocacy.

Charlotte is sophisticated, clear and very effective all round.

Charlotte Kilroy fights very hard for her clients.

Iain Steele
2
Iain Steele
2
Band 2

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.

Iain has been very helpful as a sounding board and with focusing what could be very broad instructions to distilled points in short order.

Iain writes very well and can break complex issues down into understandable drafts.

Isabel Buchanan
2
Isabel Buchanan
2
Band 2

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 international conflict and same sex relations.

Isabel is a brilliant barrister.

Isable is very much a rising star of a Junior.

Isabel provides very clear advice and is extremely proactive and responsive to our correspondence.

Isabel Buchanan is very, very sharp with a great mind.

Isabel Buchanan is a hands-on problem-solver.

Kate Gallafent
2
Kate Gallafent
2
Band 2

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 brilliant to work with and a real team player.

Kate gives hugely practical procedural advice as well as legal advice.

Kate engenders trust in the court and has a manner that inspires trust.

Kate is absolutely first-rate and is excellent with clients.

Kate Gallafent is an excellent advocate.

Paul Luckhurst
2
Paul Luckhurst
2
Band 2

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 provides high quality advice and guidance in complex matters.

Instantly clued in and laser-focused, Paul engages deeply with the issues and gets straight to the heart of the matter.

Paul Luckhurst is brilliant. He knows the public law landscape inside out and is completely in his element.

Paul is really bright. He's efficient, very personable and great to work with.

Paul Luckhurst delivered prompt and clear advice.

George Molyneaux
3
George Molyneaux
3
Band 3

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

George has incredible legal knowledge and mastery of the material in highly technical areas of law.

George Molyneaux is a very bright and hardworking barrister.

George is a phenomenal lawyer and a major force in complex litigation!

George Molyneaux was diligent, responsive and very knowledgeable.

George Molyneaux is an incredibly clever and astute barrister, who has a big future ahead of him.

Ravi Mehta
3
Ravi Mehta
3
Band 3

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's legal expertise is second to none. He is the perfect blend of sharp and charismatic!

Ravi Mehta has a very calm manner.

Ravi is a highly capable counsel, with outstanding attention to detail and pragmatism.

Ravi is very technical and extremely capable.

Sam Grodzinski
3
Sam Grodzinski
3
Band 3

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.

As opposing counsel, Sam is depressingly effective. He has the ear of high court judges and knows how to pitch his advocacy. He is top-end.

Sam is measured, balanced and puts his points across really well.

Sam Grodzinski has a really wonderful advocacy style.

Sam is excellent.

Sam Grodzinski has the ability to present arguments attractively in the eyes of judges and commands their confidence as a result.

Hanif Mussa
4
Hanif Mussa
4
Band 4

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

A real rising star, Hanif is clever, personable and hard-working.

Hanif Mussa gives excellent advice.

Hanif Mussa is outstandingly talented.

Hanif Mussa is among the very top players in his field.

Hanif is not fussy and is prepared to roll his sleeves back and get involved, which is very useful.

Jessica Boyd
4
Jessica Boyd
4
Band 4

Jessica Boyd KC is a well 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.

Clients love Jessica and feel completely reassured by her advice.

Jessica Boyd is incredibly well prepared, clear and impressively precise.

We are grateful for Jessica's expertise.

Jessica Boyd is totally committed to her cases and clients.

Jessica Boyd's written and oral advocacy were outstanding.

Natasha Simonsen
4
Natasha Simonsen
4
Band 4

Natasha Simonsen is a well regarded junior barrister operating in the fields of public law and human rights law. Her practice sees her tackle important judicial reviews and she is adept at representing both domestic and international clients on unlawful detention and torture matters.

Natasha is the perfect teammate. She is an outstanding lawyer who is deeply committed to her clients and is a delight to work with.

Natasha Simonsen is an expert in torture-related cases.

Natasha was extremely impressive and picked up some complex and difficult principles quickly.

Natasha is very easy to work with. She is bright and hardworking.

Natasha is incredibly passionate and will leave no stone unturned.

U
Rayan Fakhoury
U
Up and Coming

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's aptitude outweighs his years of call.

For a junior, Rayan is way beyond what most barristers at his level of call are capable of.

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.

Ryan has got real control of strategic matters.

Jason Pobjoy
Jason Pobjoy
New Silks

Jason Pobjoy KC is a highly sought-after 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 a wonder. He is extremely bright and his work is always clear and considered.

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

Jason is absolutely fantastic, extremely bright, diligent and works well with clients.

Jason is an absolute star. He is always a top choice for me.

Jason is approachable, hardworking and very knowledgeable.

Naina Patel
Naina Patel
New Silks

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.

Naina has exceptional experience of courts at all levels.

Naina is unbelievably hardworking, diligent and tenacious when representing her clients.

Naina Patel is ferociously clever with fantastic written work.

Naina gives excellent advice even under time pressure.

Naina is really personable, very easy to work with her and I trust her judgement.

Ranked Barristers at
Blackstone Chambers

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

London (Bar)

Civil Liberties & Human Rights

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
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
Timothy Otty KC
1
Timothy Otty KC
1
Band 1
Tom Hickman KC
1
Tom Hickman KC
1
Band 1
Charlotte Kilroy KC
2
Charlotte Kilroy KC
2
Band 2
Kate Gallafent KC
2
Kate Gallafent KC
2
Band 2
Sam Grodzinski KC
3
Sam Grodzinski KC
3
Band 3
Hanif Mussa KC
4
Hanif Mussa KC
4
Band 4
Jessica Boyd KC
4
Jessica Boyd KC
4
Band 4
Jason Pobjoy KC
Jason Pobjoy KC
New Silks
Naina Patel KC
Naina Patel KC
New Silks
International Human Rights Law

Shaheed Fatima KC
1
Shaheed Fatima KC
1
Band 1
Timothy Otty KC
1
Timothy Otty KC
1
Band 1
Naina Patel KC
Naina Patel KC
New Silks

Juniors

London (Bar)

Civil Liberties & Human Rights

Iain Steele
2
Iain Steele
2
Band 2
George Molyneaux
3
George Molyneaux
3
Band 3
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