Matrix Chambers
Hugh Southey QC
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Barrister Information
Barrister profile for UK Bar 2022
Chambers Review
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UK Bar
Police Law: Mainly Claimant - All Circuits
Band 1
Hugh Southey QC specialises in judicial review challenging police action or inaction, including the disclosure of information or failure to investigate. He has taken on a number of cases scrutinising the role of the Northern Irish police during the Troubles.
Strengths: "He is quite creative and bold in the points he takes."
Recent work: Acted for Michael Gallagher in his judicial review concerning failures in the investigation of the Omagh bombing.
Administrative & Public Law - London (Bar)
Band 2
Hugh Southey QC leads significant challenges to government policy, particularly in the areas of crime, extradition and immigration. He is especially proficient at challenging police conduct through judicial review. He also frequently handles public law claims concerning national security, immigration and asylum.
Strengths: "He's very creative and fearless, and will fight relentlessly for his clients." "The most approachable and down-to-earth silk you will come across."
Recent work: Acted for Margaret McQuillan before the Supreme Court in a challenge to the role of the Police Service of Northern Ireland in the investigation of a killing during the Troubles.
Civil Liberties & Human Rights - London (Bar)
Band 1
Hugh Southey QC is a recognised expert in the fields of immigration, human rights and prison law, who demonstrates notable skill in cases concerning mental health, extradition and discrimination. He frequently represents clients before the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. Further areas of expertise include TPIM, work before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission and Court of Protection matters.
Strengths: "He is a very creative and fearless lawyer who fights relentlessly for his clients." "Hugh is very sharp, always on top of his brief and is very responsive."
Recent work: Appeared in a challenge to the role of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in the investigation of a killing in 1972. It was argued that the PSNI lacked the necessary independence to comply with Article 2 of the ECHR.
Immigration - London (Bar)
Band 1
Hugh Southey QC is exceedingly popular among top-flight solicitors, and specialises in immigration, human rights and asylum matters. His main areas of focus include nationality law and unlawful detention claims, and in particular immigration matters involving the application of EU law. His immigration practice is complemented by his broader prison law expertise.
Strengths: "He is a very creative lawyer who is fearless, and fights relentlessly for clients. He is very impressive and rated highly." "Produces high-quality work quickly and thoroughly, in a very compelling and persuasive way. He is very experienced and hard-working, and is well respected by the judiciary."
Recent work: Acted in Hemmati v Home Secretary, a challenge to detention of asylum seekers facing removal based on the European Union's rules governing asylum claims.
Barrister information
This content is provided by Hugh Southey QC
Practice Areas
Hugh Southey has led at all levels up to and including 26 cases before the Supreme Court as well as in the Privy Council, the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights. Hugh specialises in public law in a wide range of fields including human rights, regulatory, prison law, inquests, crime, extradition, mental health, terrorism, immigration, discrimination and elections. Recent key cases including: R (A) v SSJ [2021] UKSC 37; R (Hemmati) v SSHD [2021] AC 143; R (P) v SSHD [2020] AC 185; R(Stott) v SSJ [2020] AC 51.
Career
Admitted as a solicitor in 1991. Headed the Immigration and Crime Departments at Glazer Delmar. EHRC A list. Deputy High Court Judge. Recorder of the Crown Court. Called in Northern Ireland. Has also litigated in US, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Cayman Islands.
Professional Memberships
Administrative Law Bar Association, Association of Prison Lawyers, Immigration Law Practitioners Association, Mental Health Lawyers Association, Human Rights Lawyers Association, Legal Action, Liberty, Justice.
Publications
Judicial Review: A Practical Guide (3rd Edition: With Amanda Weston, Jude Bunting and Raj Desai) and United Kingdom Human Rights Reports (Editor: 1998 – 2011).
Hugh Southey QC
Matrix Chambers
18 YEARS RANKED Griffin Building
Gray's Inn
London
Greater London
UK
WC1R 5LN
UK Bar 2022
UK Bar 2021
UK Bar 2020
UK Bar 2019
UK Bar 2018
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