Department profile
Leigh Day

Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide


Leigh Day

Rankings

About

Provided by Leigh Day

The Leigh Day team was the first to be established in the UK following the enactment of the Human Rights Act 1998, it is the largest dedicated human rights team in the country.

It represents clients in domestic breaches of the Human Rights Act and in cases of alleged abuses by the British Government and Multinational Corporations overseas through its international team which has an unrivalled reputation for bringing complex group actions.  

It acts in complex claims for survivors of sexual and physical abuse, abuse in residential care and healthcare claims. It also brings human rights claims on behalf of children where failings have been identified in care proceedings.

The team also acts for bereaved families in relation to Article 2 & non-Article 2 Inquests and linked compensation claims. 

Leigh Day represents individuals in a wide variety of claims against the Police. It also acts on behalf of immigration detainee clients in all aspects of their detention, as well as prisoner clients to secure their adequate treatment.  It also acts in discrimination and privacy / data breach claims.

The team acted for Abdelhakim Belhaj after he was unlawfully rendered with his wife to Libya where they were detained and tortured. The case resulted in an unprecedented unreserved apology by Prime Minister in Parliament.

The team has also brought cases that have changed the law on the responsibility of UK parent companies for human rights abuses caused abroad.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law - UK-wide

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Leigh Day serves an international client base of charities, NGOs and individuals in human rights cases within the UK and around the world. The firm's practice is comprehensive in scope, with areas of focus ranging from the rights of protesters to trafficking. Other areas of strength at the firm include matters related to the "war on terror" and corporate complicity in human rights abuses. In addition, the team demonstrates expertise in information and data protection law, with involvement in high-profile cases of this nature.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Leigh Day acted on behalf of Wyndham Wallace and six other men in respect of allegations of childhood sexual abuse by teachers at Horris Hill boarding school.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Leigh Day have an incredible dedication to their work and care deeply for their clients.

    Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law respondentUK
  • Leigh Day really dig into the detail and go the extra mile. They are very diligent.

    Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law respondentUK
  • Everyone at Leigh Day is a cut above the rest.

    Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law respondentUK
  • The team are highly efficient and focused on the cases they want to do.

    Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Senior StatespeopleMartyn Day
    Senior StatespeopleMartyn Day

    Martyn Day

    Martyn Day is a renowned claimant lawyer, who brings an unmatched level of expertise to his broad domestic and international practice. He frequently represents marginalised workers who have suffered human rights abuses abroad.

    • Martyn Day is the doyen of this area of law.

      Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law respondentUK
    • He is very well-known in this space.

      Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law respondentUK
  • Eminent PractitionersJamie Beagent
    Eminent PractitionersJamie Beagent

    Jamie Beagent

    Jamie Beagent is highly experienced across a range of human rights and public law challenges. He is notably skilled in handling immigration and environmental cases.

    • Jamie is doing important work in this area.

      Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law respondentUK
  • Band 1Benjamin Burrows
    Band 1Benjamin Burrows

    Benjamin Burrows

    Benjamin Burrows is the head of the prison law team at Leigh Day and enjoys a strong reputation in the space. He acts across a broad range of claims, including accusations of discrimination, assault and wrongful imprisonment.

    • Benjamin is very thoughtful and very experienced.

      Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law respondentUK
    • He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of prison law and is absolutely committed to furthering prisoner rights.

      Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law respondentUK
    • Ben is the God of prison law.

      Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law respondentUK
  • Band 1Daniel Leader
    Band 1Daniel Leader

    Daniel Leader

    Daniel Leader has a well-regarded international practice, particularly for his work in African jurisdictions. He frequently represents groups in actions, such as mass torts, and is knowledgeable in cases where there is a crossover of human rights and environmental law.

    • Daniel is a powerhouse.

      Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law respondentUK
    • He is indefatigable. He never lets his head drop.

      Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law respondentUK
    • It's a privilege to work with Daniel.

      Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law respondentUK
  • Band 1Sapna Malik
    Band 1Sapna Malik

    Sapna Malik

    Sapna Malik is a highly skilled claimant human rights practitioner, representing individuals bringing claims against public bodies in cross-border disputes.
    • Sapna Malik is utterly brilliant.

      Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law respondentUK
  • Band 2Tessa Gregory
    Band 2Tessa Gregory

    Tessa Gregory

    Tessa Gregory is a partner in Leigh Day's litigation team. She specialises in human rights cases both domestically and internationally and has significant experience in challenging the UK Government's welfare system.

    • Tessa is the best solicitor I have ever worked with. She is phenomenally hard-working and has exceptional attention to detail.

      Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law respondentUK
    • Tessa Gregory is a star.

      Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law respondentUK
    • She is super smart and engaged.

      Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law respondentUK
  • Band 3Merry Varney
    Band 3Merry Varney

    Merry Varney

    Merry Varney is highly regarded for her representation of the families of vulnerable individuals and children bringing Article 2 claims.
    • Merry is a hero of the inquests world.

      Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law respondentUK
  • Band 4Waleed Sheikh
    Band 4Waleed Sheikh

    Waleed Sheikh

    Waleed Sheikh is a partner in the human rights department at Leigh Day. He has particular expertise in matters relating to immigration detention, deportation and nationality and acts for both individuals and charities.

    • Waleed is the perfect lawyer to recommend. He is strategic.

      Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law respondentUK
  • Star AssociatesMaya Grantham
    Star AssociatesMaya Grantham

    Maya Grantham

    Maya Grantham is an associate in the prison team at Leigh Day. She focuses her practice on representing clients in connection with clinical negligence and healthcare-related claims.

    • Maya produces excellent legal work and thinks about getting the best for her clients.

      Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law respondentUK
    • Maya is really approachable and always has everything under control. She is always upbeat, enthusiastic and great to work with.

      Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law respondentUK
    • Maya works at the cutting edge of prisoners' rights case. Her legal analysis on the most complex of cases is first rate.

      Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law respondentUK
  • Associates to watchEllie Sutherland
    Associates to watchEllie Sutherland

    Ellie Sutherland

    Ellie Sutherland is an associate solicitor, based in Leigh Day's London office. She focuses her practice on assisting individuals in human rights and prison law matters and has particular expertise focusing on prisoner security.

    • Ellie Sutherland is a rising star and one to watch in this field. She is delightful and really digs into the detail to go the extra mile.

      Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law respondentUK
    • She is a superstar in the making. I can't sing her praises highly enough.

      Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law respondentUK
    • Ellie never loses sight of the bigger picture of the case.

      Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law respondentUK
  • Associates to watchTom Short
    Associates to watchTom Short

    Tom Short

    Tom Short is a senior associate who focuses his practice on human rights cases. He also has expertise in environmental and climate change matters, and particular specialism in the crossover between those practices. He is based in Leigh Day's London office.

    • Tom is dynamic, enthusiastic and creative.

      Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law respondentUK
    • He is strong in dealing with difficult situations. He makes problems go away.

      Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law respondentUK
    • His work on cases has been outstanding.

      Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Prison Law respondentUK

Ranked Individuals at Leigh Day (15)

UK-wide

Members

Provided by Leigh Day

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