Civil Liberties & Human Rights

About

Provided by Harper Macleod LLP

Our team acts predominantly for public bodies within this specialist area, where individuals interact with the State, but perhaps uniquely within Scotland, also act for those bringing forward challenges to hold public bodies to account. We have a high-profile client base with clients including the Scottish Government and numerous public bodies. On the 'holding to account' side of the table, we also act for Greenpeace, Avaaz Foundation and individuals who fight to have their rights upheld and seek to advance causes through strategic litigation in relation to globally important issues such as the climate emergency and anti-corruption.

We have successfully led and defended many Judicial Review and Statutory Appeal cases for public, third sector and private sector clients, many with significant political, media and public interest.

Our team is embedded within Scottish public life and is appointed to all Lots of the Scottish Government Framework for legal services, as well as acting for numerous other government departments/non-departmental public bodies, along with more than half of the 32 Scottish local authorities. This means that we advise at a strategic and operational level on the most sensitive issues affecting those organisations, and are involved in complex and socially or politically sensitive cases where these authorities, through the use of their powers, engage citizens’ human rights and impact their civil liberties.