Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Civil Liberties & Human Rights - London (Bar)

2
Band 2

What the Team is Known For

A highly experienced claimant set, Garden Court Chambers regularly handles complex and high-profile human rights disputes. Members at the set have expertise across prison law, protest law, immigration detention and public inquiries. Several members, including Gráinne Mellon and Una Morris, have recently appeared in the Undercover Policing Inquiry, examining the targeting of political activists, grassroots organisations, justice campaigns and politicians by undercover police officers since 1968. Members acted in Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz and Others v. Switzerland, the first climate change-related ECtHR. The court ruled that state inaction towards climate change was an infringement of human rights. One instructing solicitors described Garden Court Chambers as having barristers who "have always been able to provide clear and sensible guidance and advice".

Tim Hempsted is the senior practice manager for the civil liberties and housing team.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

1
Gráinne Mellon
1
Band 1

Gráinne Mellon is commended for her expertise in cases involving children and vulnerable adults. She is particularly noted for her work in judicial reviews and in Human Rights Act damages claims and as vice-chair of the Bar Human Rights Committee. In the international arena, Gráinne has acted in high-profile cases such as Binder v Greece, concerning the prosecution of a search and rescue volunteer, and has worked on human rights law training projects in various jurisdictions.

Gráinne is really on the ball advising on complex cases.

I very much rate Gráinne and her work is of a very good standard.

Gráinne is very good with clients and very good at explaining complex matters to clients.

Gráinne has legal knowledge and political nous. She is able to deploy her work for her clients in a very creative way.

Gráinne is willing to pull out the stops to assist.

1
Stephanie Harrison
1
Band 1

Stephanie Harrison KC is a dynamic silk with a varied practice, who demonstrates prowess in misconduct, discrimination, minority rights and unlawful detention matters. She is noted for her work on national security and terrorism cases, including those concerning deportation and TPIM. She fields additional expertise in international human rights law, and is knowledgeable in all matters involving the ECHR.

Stephanie Harrison is a brilliant advocate.

Stephanie is the ultimate expert; a great strategic thinker and I trust her instincts.

Stephanie is incredibly focused on the client and she has a real gift for humanising clients who tend to be very marginalised.

Stephanie's advocacy is a force of nature.

Stephanie is personable and approaches her work in great detail and excellence.

2
Una Morris
2
Band 2

Una Morris is a well-regarded barrister, specialising in human rights claims against the state. Known for her far-reaching expertise, she is well versed on the ECHR and the Human Rights Act, often taking on inquests and judicial reviews. She has particular experience in handling claims involving prisons and other detention centres.

Una is a superb senior junior.

Una Morris stands out head and shoulders as the go-to junior counsel.

Una provides really effective legal advice on legal strategy and points of law.

Una Morris is at the top of the profession.

Una is a fearless advocate.

3
Amanda Weston
3
Band 3

Amanda Weston KC is a distinguished silk who is regularly called on to handle complex judicial review proceedings and significant immigration cases. She is an established presence in the human rights sphere, regularly appearing before domestic and European courts, including the Special Immigration Appeals Commission. She has particular capability in unlawful detention claims.

Amanda Weston has a strong practice of human rights across many areas.

Amanda is a robust and fearless advocate with a practical and sensible approach.

3
Leslie Thomas
3
Band 3

Leslie Thomas KC lends his civil liberties and human rights expertise to vulnerable clients, routinely handling sensitive matters that involve claims against the police. He is an expert in Article 2 inquiries and is adept at handling public law challenges as well as judicial reviews of the powers of public bodies.

Leslie Thomas is untouchable in his areas of law.

Leslie Thomas goes into battle and really fights for his clients.

There is no other advocate that can compare to Leslie Thomas.

Leslie Thomas is the very best there is.

Leslie is who you want on most complex human rights matters. He is a tenacious advocate and champion for his clients.

4
Marc Willers
4
Band 4

Marc Willers KC is a versatile silk with a varied civil liberties and human rights practice, including a particular focus on claims brought by Gypsies, Roma and Travellers. His work in the field dovetails with his practice in planning and environmental law.

Marc is a really great advocate, doing some really top-tier work.

Marc has a really logical, thoughtful advocacy style and he is note flustered at all when presented with tough questions.

Marc has provided excellent legal advice, representation and work in other areas over a number of years.

As a leader, Marc is approachable, collaborative and values everyone's insights.

4
Nicola Braganza
4
Band 4

Nicola Braganza KC is a committed claimant-side barrister notable for her human rights expertise pertaining to discrimination cases as well as immigration detention and trafficking claims. She appears before all levels of court as well as before immigration and employment tribunals.

Nicola made very quick and strategic decisions.

Nicola is great with all types of clients and very down to earth.

Nicola is a brilliant lawyer and fearless advocate.

Nicola has great knowledge on discrimination and inequalities.

Nicola is one of the leading trafficking KCs.

4
Stephen Clark
4
Band 4

Stephen Clark is a knowledgeable and intellectual barrister who has expertise across a range of practice areas, including actions against the State, inquests, prison law, and immigration and asylum. He acts for bereaved families and individual claimants.

Stephen is clearly destined for very great things.

Stephen is a go-to for immigration and other broader things like age assessments and judicial reviews.

Stephen has a very sharp brain and he is very good on the detail and preparation.

Stephen will not sit down until he has made his points and has dissected his opponents on the other side of the room.

Stephen has an encyclopaedic knowledge and is counted upon by professional organisations for his unparalleled knowledge of costs law.

4
Stephen Simblet
4
Band 4

Stephen Simblet KC is regularly called upon to provide expert assistance in human rights claims brought against the police. He is also singled out for his adept representation of bereaved families in matters concerning psychiatric detention and custody deaths. He is noted for his strong judicial review practice and regularly appears at the High Court and the Court of Appeal.

Stephen is a first-rate advocate.

Stephen's written work is of the highest standard.

Stephen Simblet is at the top of the tree.

4
Timothy Baldwin
4
Band 4

Timothy Baldwin is a well-rounded junior, skilled in representing claimants and appellants. He is noted for challenging decisions made by local authorities and the Mental Health Tribunal. Timothy is often instructed to defend Traveller and migrant rights.

Timothy is an extremely experienced and very approachable barrister with particular expertise in public law and Traveller cases.

Timothy is very academic with his approach.

U
Fatima Jichi
U
Up and Coming

Fatima Jichi is a well-regarded junior who is regularly instructed in complex cases involving mental health, an aspect of her practice bolstered by previous experience in the mental health field.

She is incredibly persistent and dogged, and she really goes above and beyond to get a good outcome for our clients.

She is absolutely brilliant. She has a good grasp of factual backgrounds and her cross-examination is prepared and thorough. She is very gentle with clients and always gets the best outcomes for them.

She is a very good junior counsel.

U
Ollie Persey
U
Up and Coming

Ollie Persey is a committed public law and human rights junior with a practice dedicated to assisting claimants. His particular expertise includes assisting those who need help with matters that sit at the crossroads of other practice areas, such as education and tax. He currently sits as a member on the Equality & Human Rights Commission's panel of preferred counsel.

Ollie Persey is able to turn his hand to any issue and provide effective and succinct advice.

Ollie's drafting is brilliant and he is very responsive. A real pleasure to work with.

Ollie Persey is enthusiastic and highly effective!

Ollie is always thinking a step ahead and always thinking of the client's objectives.

Ollie is the most available counsel I know for exploring ideas and I really value that about him.

Ranked Barristers at
Garden Court Chambers

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

London (Bar)

Civil Liberties & Human Rights

1
Stephanie Harrison KC
1
Band 1
3
Amanda Weston KC
3
Band 3
3
Leslie Thomas KC
3
Band 3
4
Marc Willers KC
4
Band 4
4
Nicola Braganza KC
4
Band 4
4
Stephen Simblet KC
4
Band 4

Juniors

London (Bar)

Civil Liberties & Human Rights

2
Gráinne Mellon
2
Band 2
2
Una Morris
2
Band 2
4
Stephen Clark
4
Band 4
4
Timothy Baldwin
4
Band 4
U
Fatima Jichi
U
Up and Coming
U
Ollie Persey
U
Up and Coming
International Human Rights Law

1
Gráinne Mellon
1
Band 1