Civil Liberties & Human Rights

Edward Fitzgerald KC is a highly acclaimed silk who offers vast experience across the fields of public, criminal and international human rights law. He is regularly called upon to handle the most significant, highly publicised cases, routinely appearing before the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights. He is highly regarded for his work on behalf of vulnerable individuals.

Aarif Abraham is well regarded among international lawyers thanks to his involvement in a number of high-profile matters in the field, particularly those concerning alleged acts of genocide. He undertakes high-level advisory work for a variety of entities investigating human rights abuses, and has also assisted with the drafting of Parliamentary bills.

Amal Clooney is a key operator in the field of international human rights, appearing before the ECtHR and UN human rights bodies, as well as the UK courts. She has specialist expertise in matters related to the use of drones, advises governments on human rights and constitutional reform, and has a successful track record of representing political prisoners. In recent years, she has worked extensively on the prosecution of human rights abuses committed against Yazidi people under Islamic State.

Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC commands deep respect in the field of human rights and civil liberties. Her broad areas of expertise include media law, children's rights, community care and national security, and she is particularly noted for her adroit handling of matters concerning the failure of state bodies. She has a strong judicial review practice and has recently been involved with important cases surrounding abortion and women's rights.

Jennifer Robinson is a highly respected barrister with an international profile. She has experience in cross-jurisdictional human rights challenges and is particularly noted for her work on free speech and the protection of journalists, as well as for her UN advocacy.

Kirsty Brimelow KC is an experienced silk with an extensive international human rights practice, appearing or advising at the ICC, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, courts martial, Courts of Appeal in the Caribbean and the ECOWAS court. She takes on complex civil liberties cases, such as those involving physical integrity, the dignity of individuals and their right to effective legal remedy.

Shu Shin Luh is a highly admired barrister who has a phenomenal reputation in children’s rights and trafficking. She focuses her human rights practice on representing vulnerable persons, including the mentally ill and incapacitated. She appears in domestic and European courts for claimants and interveners, such as NGOs and charitable organisations.

Tatyana Eatwell is an accomplished barrister focusing on international human rights and public law. She represents individuals and NGOs in courtroom and other forms of advocacy, including before various UN bodies, concerning extra-judicial killings, torture or detention across numerous jurisdictions.

Adam Straw KC is an experienced silk offering broad expertise across the fields of public law and human rights. He routinely appears before all levels of the court system in the UK, and has also produced advocacy before the European Court of Human Rights. He is frequently involved with prisoners' rights claims and police actions, as well as employment matters with human rights implications. He publishes on a range of issues relating to human rights and is a contributing editor to Human Rights Practice.

Jude Bunting KC is a highly rated barrister with an impressive track record of appearing in major human rights cases on behalf of a range of clients, including NGOs, the media and vulnerable individuals. He is frequently instructed before the Supreme Court and European Court of Human Rights. He is highly sought after for his expertise in areas including police, prison and surveillance law, as well as discrimination, and in open justice challenges.

Alison Seamen is a respected human rights barrister who routinely provides expert advice on complex mental health-related matters. She is also recognised for her aptitude in the areas of police and prison law, particularly in judicial reviews and inquests.

Catherine Meredith is an accomplished human rights barrister with expertise in asylum and immigration law. Renowned for her clear advocacy in complex cases, she has developed a particular specialism in anti-trafficking matters.

Graham Denholm is particularly well known for his sterling work in the field of immigration. He routinely undertakes complex deportation and asylum cases and has specialist expertise in immigration detention. He frequently brings civil actions and judicial reviews against the Home Office, often involving complex false imprisonment claims.

Jamie Burton KC is a well-regarded silk who is adept at handling discrimination and social welfare claims. He is singled out for his knowledge of the Care Act 2014.

Laura Dubinsky KC regularly handles false imprisonment claims and prison law challenges, typically on behalf of claimants and intervening parties. She is a very highly regarded immigration and human rights expert who routinely appears before the Supreme Court. She has recently been involved in cases concerning the compatibility of administrative detention and the government's Rwanda Scheme.

Martin Westgate KC is a distinguished human rights barrister with a broad practice. He is also leader of the Doughty Street Chambers public law team. His complementary expertise in the areas of social housing and welfare serves to strengthen his work in the field of civil liberties and human rights. He has undertaken cases concerning the right to life, freedom from detention and the right to protest.

Maya Sikand KC is a strong civil liberties and human rights barrister with a practice covering judicial reviews, civil and statutory damages claims, inquiries and inquests. She has particular expertise in unlawful detention and trafficking issues and routinely brings claims against public authorities and the police.

Tim Moloney KC has a highly regarded practice touching on many aspects of human rights law. He has acted in cases centring on protest rights and wrongful convictions, notably in relation to the Post Office Horizon scandal.

Angela Patrick is a strong human rights barrister whose practice takes in a variety of issues, including police actions, mental health care and criminal justice.

Joshua Jackson has an eye-catching human rights practice that includes involvement in novel challenges concerning nation states' responses to climate change. Additional areas of experience include asylum and human trafficking cases.

Stephen Cragg KC is a renowned human rights silk with a keen focus on community care cases. He habitually represents claimants at inquests and in police law matters. He also practises as a Special Advocate, handling passport refusal, naturalisation and other sensitive cases.

Donnchadh Greene has great experience representing individuals in claims against the Home Office and the Secretary of State for the Home Department. He has developed a specialism in complex migrant and trans rights matters.

Adam Wagner KC is a versatile barrister who regularly appears in high-profile human rights cases, both for and against public authorities. He is well regarded for his aptitude in the fields of immigration and prison law, and is also known for his work in public inquiries. He founded the acclaimed UK Human Rights Blog and human rights public education charity EachOther.

Anthony Vaughan KC is a well-regarded barrister noted for his expertise in complex human rights cases and judicial reviews. He has specialist knowledge of immigration, detention and national security.