JUNIOR PROFILE

Conor Monighan

UK Bar 2026

5 Essex Chambers

Ranked in 2 practice areas

Police Law: Mainly Defendant

All Circuits

1 year ranked

Licensing

London (Bar)

1 year ranked

About

Provided by 5 Essex Chambers

UK Bar

Practice Areas

Conor Monighan has a public and civil law practice.

He specialises in judicial reviews, information/ data law, public interest immunity/ firearms matters and police law (including human rights).

Conor has been appointed to the Attorney General’s Panel of Counsel.

He is an Executive Committee member of the Human Rights Lawyers’ Association (“HRLA”) and the UK’s leading human rights blog has published over fifty of his articles.

Conor acts led, unled and (exceptionally for his year of call) as a leader in the higher courts.

Recent cases include:

• Z: Court of Appeal case re seizure powers (unled).

• X: High Court case re sex offenders (as leader)

• Kimber [2025] EWHC 1452 (Admin) (test for Public Interest Immunity vs Closed Material Proceedings)

• Morgan [2024] EWHC 2859 (Admin) (Crown Court’s power to suspend its own order pending an appeal)

• Scott [2023] EWHC 1938 (Admin) (availability of secret hearings in firearms appeals)

• Malik [2023] EWHC 3213 (Admin) (leading authority on costs awards against public bodies)

• Major public inquires including Post Office, Infected Blood, Grenfell etc.

Clients say he has a “vast knowledge of the law” (Legal 500)

Conor’s clients range from private clients to state bodies (including the police and the Government).

Conor frequently writes about the latest information law cases for Chambers’ ‘Data Brief’ and provides articles for the UK Human Rights Blog.

Please visit the 5 Essex Chambers website for Conor’s profile, which sets out full details of his practice including relevant work of note.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Police Law: Mainly Defendant - All Circuits

Up and Coming

Individual Editorial

Conor Monighan enters the rankings this year. He has experience of handling complex Police Law matters, including high-profile public inquiries.

Learn more about this team View ranking table

Licensing - London (Bar)

Up and Coming

Individual Editorial

Conor Monighan of 5 Essex Chambers is an up-and-coming junior barrister frequently sought after by instructing solicitors for his expertise in licensing matters concerning firearms and explosives.

View ranking table

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Conor Monighan has a hand on everything. He's very articulate and does very good submissions in quite complex cases.
Police Law: Mainly DefendantUK Bar
Conor is our go-to counsel for Police Law matters because of his work ethic and comprehensive legal knowledge in a number of key areas. His expertise and knowledge go far beyond his years of call.
Police Law: Mainly DefendantUK Bar
Conor is always up to date with relevant case law and will share relevant updates. He is a confident and measured advocate and is always extremely well prepared for hearings.
Police Law: Mainly DefendantUK Bar
Conor is always very helpful, has an excellent communication style and is very adept at analysing complex cases quickly.
Police Law: Mainly DefendantUK Bar
Conor Monighan is highly rated by my team. He is delightful, eloquent and bright. One to watch.
Police Law: Mainly DefendantUK Bar
Conor Monighan's knowledge of legislation relevant to firearms is second to none, and this is accompanied by well-polished presentation.
LicensingUK Bar