Department profile
Doughty Street Chambers

Administrative & Public Law

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


Doughty Street Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Administrative & Public Law - London (Bar)

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For

Doughty Street Chambers can boast an extraordinary record of success in some of the most significant challenges to public policy and decisions on criminal justice, welfare provision, immigration and asylum. Its "talented and dedicated" public law specialist barristers act for individual claimants and human rights groups, appearing regularly in the Supreme Court. The breadth of the team is highlighted by one source, who notes: "There are high-quality counsel from pupils through to KCs. They are uniquely placed to act in cases involving intersecting public law issues." In recent months, members have been instructed in the high-profile judicial review challenge to the government's arms export to Israel and a challenge to the new legislation that aims to end all police investigations, damages claims, inquests and police disciplinary hearings touching upon the Troubles.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Rachel Finch is incredibly reliable.

    Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are very hard-working, engaged, reliable and responsive.

    Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks respond almost instantaneously, ensure barristers' availability is provided when needed and try their best when we need counsel at short notice.

    Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Doughty Street's clerks are responsive across the board, helpful and accommodating.

    Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Emily Norman and Keya Ahmed are efficient clerks. Sian Wilkins coordinates a very smooth operation.

    Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Edward Fitzgerald
    Band 1Edward Fitzgerald

    Edward Fitzgerald

    Edward Fitzgerald KC is a pre-eminent silk with vast experience in domestic and international public law. He receives instructions from NGOs and individual or corporate claimants challenging controversial legislation and policy. He is recommended particularly for cases involving human rights, criminal and constitutional law.

    • Edward is a legendary figure. He has colossal experience in extradition and prison law.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Edward is an excellent barrister. He is approachable and brave.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Edward is a well-accomplished silk with a unique style.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Martin Westgate
    Band 1Martin Westgate

    Martin Westgate

    Martin Westgate KC typically acts for individual claimants and NGOs seeking to challenge secondary legislation and public body decisions. He is particularly strong in cases involving welfare cuts, housing and discrimination.

    • Martin is super bright with very brilliant insights. He is a real intellectual heavyweight.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Martin is adept with dealing with arguments. He has a measured and slightly unassuming style and he has the ear of the court on appellate work.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Martin is a genius. He is a brilliant lawyer in terms of the scope of his knowledge of vast swathes of law and his ability to synthesise those and write beautifully.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Martin is a treasure. He gives really quick and practical advice. His knowledge of the strange areas of law that come up in judicial review is second to none.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Martin provides first-class advice in a very timely manner.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Shu Shin Luh
    Band 1Shu Shin Luh

    Shu Shin Luh

    Shu Shin Luh pursues significant public law challenges on behalf of marginalised claimants and interveners. She is particularly committed to safeguarding the rights of children and migrants. Her substantive expertise includes immigration, human rights, social welfare and education. Sources commend her considerable expertise in the law on human trafficking.

    • Shu Shin is in a total league of her own. She is good in managing crises and picking away through knotty issues.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Shu Shin is a very courageous advocate. She always fights for her clients' interests with full rigour.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Shu Shin is better than many KCs. She works exceptionally hard, is very strategic and tactical in her decision-making, and cares very much about cases and clients.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • She is one of my favourite barristers to instruct and a rare talent at the Bar. Shu Shin is incredibly hard-working, meticulous and has amazing attention to detail.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Adam Straw
    Band 2Adam Straw

    Adam Straw

    Adam Straw KC is a superb advocate who is a popular choice for claimants and interveners in public law challenges arising in the context of national security, criminal law and immigration detention proceedings. He has particular expertise in public law cases that overlap with human rights law.

    • Adam is a very understated advocate. He has a very impressive legal mind and really super judgement.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Adam is always brilliant. He is so easy to work with, his drafting is clear and he is great in court.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Jude Bunting
    Band 2Jude Bunting

    Jude Bunting

    Jude Bunting KC has an excellent track record of successfully challenging policy and decisions of public bodies. His expertise encompasses human rights, equality and discrimination, policing and criminal law. Recent major challenges include Court of Appeal and Supreme Court cases arising from the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

    • Jude Bunting is a force. He is relentlessly talented, has a relentless work ethic and has relentless wisdom.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Jude is very bright and very personable.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Laura Dubinsky
    Band 2Laura Dubinsky

    Laura Dubinsky

    Laura Dubinsky KC specialises in judicial review cases concerning immigration and asylum. She is especially strong in cases involving EU freedom of movement and human rights law. Her expertise in immigration detention appeals is of particular note, having appeared before the Supreme Court in cases on that subject.

    • Laura has knowledge and understanding of complex historical and nuanced public law issues. She commands the respect of the higher courts and produces detailed and complex legal arguments.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Laura's advocacy is very powerful, concise, clear-headed and logical. She is excellent at managing very complex judicial reviews and developing case strategy in response to fast-moving developments.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Jamie Burton
    Band 3Jamie Burton

    Jamie Burton

    Jamie Burton KC is involved in significant challenges to central government and local authority decisions on the provision of public services and welfare benefits. He has particular expertise in claims involving social housing and community care. He is highly proficient in claims relying on EU and human rights law.

    • Jamie is absolutely excellent and his advocacy really shines. He is really good at spotting points in public law cases.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Jamie has exceptional advocacy skills and he is brilliant to work with.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Angela Patrick
    Band 4Angela Patrick

    Angela Patrick

    Angela Patrick continues to excel at the public law Bar following a decade working in parliament and subsequently for JUSTICE. She has acted in a wide range of prominent judicial reviews, taking in criminal justice, the conduct of inquests and many other issues.

    • Angela develops trust in her clients. Her advocacy is great because she is so thoroughly prepared. She is all over every document and she knows every point.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Antonia Benfield
    Band 4Antonia Benfield

    Antonia Benfield

    Antonia Benfield is renowned by peers for her strong advocacy and knowledge in the areas of public law, immigration and asylum. She acts for vulnerable claimants, including individuals with mental health issues and asylum seekers. Age assessment and unlawful detention claims feature heavily in her practice.

    • Antonia is amazing to work with and really useful in advising on complex evidential issues and case tactics.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Antonia is incredibly generous with her time and is committed to her clients.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Antonia is a really smart public lawyer.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Antonia is excellent and very responsive. She always provides timely and clear advice.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Antonia is exceptional.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4David Lemer
    Band 4David Lemer

    David Lemer

    David Lemer has a strong practice that centres on national security matters and as special advocate in immigration proceedings.

    • David has a good approach towards his cases, and dealing with him is very easy.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • David is an effective and very straightforward advocate.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Graham Denholm
    Band 4Graham Denholm

    Graham Denholm

    Graham Denholm chiefly counsels claimants in judicial reviews challenging decisions of the Home Secretary. He is well versed in cases concerning immigration detention, age assessments and asylum appeals.

    • Graham is an exceptional barrister. His advice and advocacy are of silk level.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Graham is a pleasure to work with. He is forthright, responsive, incredibly knowledgeable and an excellent negotiator.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Graham is very punctual and organised.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Graham is truly exceptional - he provides exceptionally clear and comprehensive advice in a timely manner.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Joshua Jackson
    Band 4Joshua Jackson

    Joshua Jackson

    Joshua Jackson has an active practice representing vulnerable claimants. He is instructed in a wide array of challenges related to immigration, human trafficking and welfare.

    • Joshua is a really brilliant go-to junior counsel. He is very good at public law matters.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Joshua has great communication and excellent advice.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Michael Spencer
    Band 4Michael Spencer

    Michael Spencer

    Michael Spencer has an impressive track record of appearances in judicial reviews concerning immigration and asylum policy.

    • Michael is very well regarded among solicitors. He is intelligent, well organised and very proactive with cases.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Michael Spencer has very impressive attention to detail and he really goes above and beyond. He is extremely thorough, very considered and meticulous in his approach.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Michael remarkably handled a fast-moving and complicated case while identifying wider systemic points. He is very impressive and is incredibly calm amidst the chaos.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Stephen Cragg
    Band 4Stephen Cragg

    Stephen Cragg

    Stephen Cragg KC has a strong track record of appearing in innovative public law challenges on behalf of claimants. He is especially well known for his handling of judicial reviews which involve an overlap with community care, social welfare and human rights law. He also appears as special advocate in cases concerning national security.

    • He has a real depth of long-term knowledge.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Up and ComingDonnchadh Greene
    Up and ComingDonnchadh Greene

    Donnchadh Greene

    Donnchadh Greene is respected for his representation of claimants in judicial review challenges. He has a particular emphasis on cases involving data protection and immigration issues.

    • He is a strong advocate who has a cooperative way of working.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Donnchadh is collaborative and meticulous. He is innovative and strategic while remaining focused on clients' objectives and circumstances.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Donnchadh is a really brilliant junior. He is very client-focused and has lovely drafting skills.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Donnchadh is a very calm and insightful junior. He will go very far.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Up and ComingSarah Dobbie
    Up and ComingSarah Dobbie

    Sarah Dobbie

    Sarah Dobbie leverages her previous experience as a solicitor in Australia to bolster her highly regarded public law practice, with specific expertise in immigration and asylum related cases. She is a member of the EHRC Panel of Counsel.

    • Sarah is a really fantastic junior with an excellent public law and civil liberties practice.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Sarah works on lots of cutting-edge cases. She is very hard-working, meticulous and a real pleasure to work with.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksAdam Wagner
    New SilksAdam Wagner

    Adam Wagner

    Adam Wagner KC has produced impressive work in judicial review proceedings brought against the government by individuals and campaign groups. Past cases include an array of human rights-based challenges arising from COVID-19, including cases on enforced quarantine, protests and the failure to investigate Downing Street parties.

    • Adam is really impressive in his commitment to cases and he works incredibly efficiently.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Adam is extremely prominent and effective.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Adam is brilliant and very well known. He knows the law inside out and is tremendous fighting for his clients.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksAnthony Vaughan
    New SilksAnthony Vaughan

    Anthony Vaughan

    Anthony Vaughan continues to develop a strong reputation for his work in public and administrative law. He often represents claimants and interveners in challenges to Home Office immigration policy. He is also adept at handling challenges that deal with the crossover between criminal and immigration law.

    • He is really great to work with and has excellent drafting skills.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Doughty Street Chambers (18)

London (Bar)

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