About

Provided by Deighton Pierce Glynn

The civil liberties team at Deighton Pierce Glynn has a wealth of expertise in helping those who have been victims of abuses by the state.  We represent families at complex inquests whose relatives have died in prison and police custody, immigration detention, whilst sectioned in hospital under the Mental Health Act or following police contact.  We help our clients fight to secure the accountability of those responsible through criminal and/or disciplinary proceedings, bringing compensation claims and securing policy changes.

We assist our clients to secure release from detention in IRCs and prisons under immigration powers, and to challenge the conditions of their detention.  Our focus is working for detainees who have a mental or physical illness or disability, children, victims of trafficking or torture and those who have been detained for very long periods or are from an EU state or a country where removal is difficult. We have secured substantial awards of compensation for our clients who have been unlawfully detained or unlawfully treated.

We have specialist expertise to help victims of modern slavery and human trafficking.  We work sensitively and fearlessly to help those who have been trafficked to enforce their legal rights.

Our solicitors offer a high level of client care and this is an essential part of how we work. We are renowned for our commitment to our clients and for our skilful and determined use of the law to achieve their objectives.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Civil Liberties & Human Rights - UK-wide

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Deighton Pierce Glynn demonstrates a highly varied portfolio of claimant-focused work, ranging from damages claims arising in the national security context to immigration detention and trafficking cases. The firm's client base includes activists, NGOs and individual migrants. The team offers capability in taking on cases funded by alternative sources, including crowdfunding and handles cases and proceedings under the Equality Act concerning discrimination.

Work Highlights

  • Deighton Pierce Glynn represented a group of twenty-two asylum seekers who were unlawfully detained at the Manston Short-Term Holding Facility in 2022.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Sue Willman
S
Sue Willman
S
Senior Statespeople

Sue Willman is an exceptionally well-regarded human rights lawyer who has a wealth of experience across a variety of claims, including those relating to immigration detention and disability discrimination.

Sue Willman is a force to be reckoned with.

Polly Glynn
E
Polly Glynn
E
Eminent Practitioners
Managing partner Polly Glynn is deeply experienced in handling judicial review proceedings in the country's highest courts and the ECtHR. She also runs the firm's PAP Project, which provides frontline organisations with training and supervision to challenge government decisions.

Polly is extremely well respected for her knowledge on all social justice matters. She is extremely knowledgeable and a really incisive and perceptive lawyer.

Daniel Carey
2
Daniel Carey
2
Band 2
Daniel Carey is noted for his expertise in privacy cases as part of a broad domestic and international human rights practice which also incorporates immigration and military detention claims.

Daniel is one of the best solicitors operating at the moment.

Daniel is super committed, but also a lovely guy. He is excellent.

Dan gives the highest level of client care and leaves no stone unturned.

Sarah Ricca
2
Sarah Ricca
2
Band 2

Sarah Ricca is notably skilled in representing the families of those who have died as a result of alleged neglect from public bodies, such as the police, mental health services and social services. She is highly experienced in cases involving domestic violence.

Sarah is brilliant and excellent.

Adam Hundt
3
Adam Hundt
3
Band 3

Adam Hundt is experienced in a wide range of cases, including those concerning torture, immigration and trafficking. He also handles judicial reviews arising in the health and social care space.

Adam has a real source of knowledge and is phenomenally bright.

Gus Silverman
4
Gus Silverman
4
Band 4
Gus Silverman is experienced in advising clients on civil actions against the state, the police and other public bodies.

Gus Silverman is a really clever person and a very good lawyer. He has always shown enormous promise and continues to do good work.

Emily Soothill
U
Emily Soothill
U
Up and Coming

Emily Soothill regularly acts for clients in challenging unlawful decisions by the state, including in relation to asylum-seeker accommodation.

Emily Soothill is one of the smartest lawyers I've ever worked with.

She is really impressive and I have really enjoyed the contact we have had.

Emily is extremely easy to work with. She is a team player with an eye for bringing people together.

Nkiru Okafor
Nkiru Okafor
Associates to watch

Nkiru Okafor has expertise acting in civil and multi-damage claims on behalf of asylum seekers, bereaved families and migrant detainees. She is skilled in handling challenges against the Home Office.

Ranked Lawyers at
Deighton Pierce Glynn

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

UK-wide

Civil Liberties & Human Rights

Sue Willman
S
Sue Willman
S
Senior Statespeople
Polly Glynn
E
Polly Glynn
E
Eminent Practitioners
Daniel Carey
2
Daniel Carey
2
Band 2
Sarah Ricca
2
Sarah Ricca
2
Band 2
Adam Hundt
3
Adam Hundt
3
Band 3
Gus Silverman
4
Gus Silverman
4
Band 4
Emily Soothill
U
Emily Soothill
U
Up and Coming
Nkiru Okafor
Nkiru Okafor
Associates to watch
International Human Rights Law

Sue Willman
S
Sue Willman
S
Senior Statespeople
Daniel Carey
2
Daniel Carey
2
Band 2