Protest Law | UK Bar

Doughty Street Chambers is regarded as a go-to set for complex civil and criminal cases involving protesters. The set's barristers are routinely instructed in high-profile judicial reviews concerning the right to protest and challenges to injunctions preventing occupation. The team is also well regarded for its expert representation of protesters in criminal proceedings. Standout cases recently handled by members include Patsy Stevenson and Dania Al-Obeid v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, cases related to the Sarah Everard vigil arrests. A source notes the set has "an in-depth knowledge of the legal considerations around protest and an ability to creatively think through the legal questions facing climate, animal and environmental protest actions."

The barristers at Garden Court Chambers are well versed in the representation of protesters in both civil and criminal litigation. 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. The set's members are routinely involved in high-profile cases arising from major protests. Members of the set appeared in the Ineos v Persons Unknown concerning injunctions against a fracking protest.

Matrix Chambers is well regarded for its handling of both civil and criminal matters involving protesters. Areas of expertise for the team include challenges to injunctions to prevent occupations, challenges to police powers, and the criminal defence of protesters facing prosecution. The set's barristers are regularly instructed in high-profile and leading cases including appearing this year for JUSTICE intervening in the first ever constitutional appeal brought by the Northern Ireland Attorney General, which concerned the criminalisation of protests outside abortion centres.