Department profile
Garden Court Chambers

Protest Law

UK Bar Guide 2026 : All Circuits

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Garden Court Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Protest Law - All Circuits

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Garden Court Chambers has "cultivated a justified reputation in protest law with a deep bench of counsel covering all possible aspects". The set's barristers are well versed in the representation of protesters in both civil and criminal litigation and are routinely involved in high-profile cases arising from major protests. The team is regularly called upon to handle complex challenges to injunctions preventing occupations, and offers significant expertise in the criminal defence of protesters charged with trespass and breaches of public orders. Recent work includes acting for protesters in R v Aarons & Ors, which is the prosecution of pro-Palestine activists accused of causing criminal damage at an arms factory supplying Israel.

Colin Cook leads the clerking team as director of clerking.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Garden Court Chambers' clerks are clearly highly organised, and things always run very smoothly there.

    Protest Law respondentUK Bar

  • Garden Court Chambers' clerks are brilliant, quick to respond and helpful.

    Protest Law respondentUK Bar

  • Garden Court Chambers' clerks are very good at getting things done that need to be done.

    Protest Law respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Henry Blaxland
    Henry Blaxland

    Henry Blaxland

    Henry Blaxland KC is a highly sought-after criminal defence barrister who lends his expertise to terrorism, fraud and appellate work. He is particularly well versed in cases with a human rights dimension, including protest rights.

    • Henry Blaxland is a charming advocate.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Henry Blaxland has had a stellar career.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Henry Blaxland brings an extraordinary amount of gravitas to the courtroom.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Henry brings a lot of experience to his cases.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Henry Blaxland is a standout advocate.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar
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  • Owen Greenhall
    Owen Greenhall

    Owen Greenhall

    Owen Greenhall is very highly regarded for his representation of protesters in complex criminal proceedings. He is regularly instructed in right to protest and freedom of expression cases, and also provides advice to campaigning organisations.

    • Owen Greenhall is a trusted expert.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Owen has got such expertise and is the go-to in this area.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Owen is the master of injunctions.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Owen Greenhall brings phenomenal experience to bear in this area.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Owen is great on his feet, great in writing and amazing to work with.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar
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  • Michael Goold
    Michael Goold

    Michael Goold

    Michael Goold is noted for his impressive protest law practice. He is regularly instructed in high-profile criminal proceedings and possesses deep knowledge of police powers.

    • Michael's written work and advocacy are both superb.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Mike is very easy and friendly to talk to.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • It is remarkable how approachable and down to earth Michael is.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Mike is highly experienced but talks in a way that is easy to understand, while still communicating all the important information.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Mike is very good and patient at explaining things.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar
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  • Stephanie Harrison
    Stephanie Harrison

    Stephanie Harrison

    Stephanie Harrison KC is praised by market commentators for her excellent advocacy skills. She is frequently called upon to defend her clients in cases involving civil injunctions used to restrict protests, and is regularly instructed in matters brought against both private companies and public authorities.

    • Stephanie Harrison was phenomenal speaking at parliament on injunctions in climate and fracking.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

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

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Any juniors looking for a leader silk, she would be one of if not your first choice in protest law.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Stephanie is a go-to person for climate and fracking law.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Stephanie's advocacy is a force of nature.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar
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  • Tom Wainwright
    Tom Wainwright

    Tom Wainwright

    Tom Wainwright is adept at handling criminal cases involving protesters. He has experience appearing in matters concerning protesters who have been charged with breaching public orders and trespassing. He co-authored The Protest Handbook, a leading book on protest rights.

    • Tom Wainwright is on top of the law and the evidence, and able to see eight moves ahead of everyone else.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Tom has a specialism and expertise in this field.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Tom Wainwright is fantastic.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Tom Wainwright is tactically exceptional, and clients have immediate confidence in him.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Tom Wainwright is an absolute star barrister.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar
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  • Audrey Cherryl Mogan
    Audrey Cherryl Mogan

    Audrey Cherryl Mogan

    Audrey Cherryl Mogan is recognised for her work in high-profile protest law matters. She has significant experience as a criminal defence barrister and has handled mandates involving climate change and arms manufacturing protests. She is also well versed in cases concerned with the ECHR.

    • Audrey's clients love her and she's exceptionally helpful.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Audrey commands a room and is very confident when pushing legal arguments.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Audrey has a real strategic mind and excellent instincts.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Audrey is hard-working, committed and popular with clients.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Audrey remains calm under pressure and is a fearless advocate.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar
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  • Russell Fraser
    Russell Fraser

    Russell Fraser

    Russell Fraser is a well-regarded criminal defence practitioner whose practice encompasses public order, protest law and human rights matters. He represents individuals in cases arising from protests relating to animal rights and climate change.

    • Russell Fraser delivers forceful closing.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Russell Fraser is very approachable and a very nice guy.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Russell Fraser is eminently sensible and calm under pressure.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar
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  • Sarah Hemingway
    Sarah Hemingway

    Sarah Hemingway

    Sarah Hemingway represents individuals in multi-handed cases and claims arising out of mass protest. She acts for clients charged with aggravated trespass or Section 5 Public Order Act offences.

    • Sarah Hemingway shows excellent client care.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Sarah Hemingway is one of the best.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Sarah Hemingway is a brilliant lawyer.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Sarah Hemingway is really dedicated and goes the extra mile.

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  • Stephen Simblet
    Stephen Simblet

    Stephen Simblet

    Stephen Simblet KC is an impressive silk frequently sought after to act in high-profile injunction proceedings. He is well known for his defence of protesters involved in animal rights and oil refinery protests, among a vast array of other areas.

    • Stephen Simblet gives a sense of the bigger picture in the cases he handles.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Stephen has lots of experience in the oil protest space.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar

    • Stephen Simblet is a legend in this area.

      Protest Law respondentUK Bar
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Ranked Barristers at Garden Court Chambers (9)

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