SILK PROFILE

Malcolm Birdling KC

UK Bar 2026

Brick Court Chambers

Ranked in 5 practice areas

Sanctions

All Circuits

3 years ranked

International Human Rights Law

London (Bar)

1 year ranked

Life Sciences Regulatory

All Circuits

1 year ranked

Civil Liberties & Human Rights

London (Bar)

11 years ranked

Administrative & Public Law

London (Bar)

10 years ranked

About

Provided by Brick Court Chambers

Practice Areas

Malcolm is a leading junior with a litigation practice specialising in all aspects of public, administrative, EU and commercial dispute resolution. Malcolm has with expertise across a broad range of subject areas including commercial judicial review, sanctions, discrimination, public international law, environmental, education, financial regulation, media and advertising, immigration, information law, inquiries, aviation, gaming, pharmaceutical and food regulation and civil liberties and human rights. Malcolm also has considerable experience advising and representing those subject to investigation or enforcement proceedings for suspected breaches of consumer law.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Sanctions - All Circuits

New Silks

Individual Editorial

Malcolm Birdling has extensive experience acting in challenges to designations and to the UK sanctions regime itself. Birdling has represented individuals, financial institutions and government departments in such matters.

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Life Sciences Regulatory - All Circuits

New Silks

Individual Editorial

Malcolm Birdling has significant skills in contentious issues, including regulatory litigation. He has a strong track record in cases involving the Food Standards Agency, judicial review challenges and EU law.

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International Human Rights Law - London (Bar)

New Silks

Individual Editorial

Malcolm Birdling is a respected barrister who is regularly called upon to appear before all levels of court in complex human rights cases. He is recognised for his in-depth knowledge of EU law and takes on work concerning false imprisonment, terrorism and complicated claims of torture and ill-treatment dating back to the 1950s. His practice is aided by his former experience as both an English solicitor and a member of the New Zealand Bar.

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Civil Liberties & Human Rights - London (Bar)

New Silks

Individual Editorial

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Administrative & Public Law - London (Bar)

New Silks

Individual Editorial

Malcolm Birdling is sought out to act in novel public law cases and has an impressively broad practice encompassing both commercial and human rights claims. He is a member of the Attorney General's A Panel and the EHRC's panel of counsel. Recent mandates include challenges to contentious infrastructure projects, immigration cases and matters arising from the UK sanctions regime.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Malcolm is able to articulate difficult and nuanced points with a passion. He is incredibly responsive and very approachable.
SanctionsUK Bar
Malcolm is a superb advocate for complex issues, making them understandable and simple. He is extremely hard-working and responsive. He is a superstar, but he is so down to earth.
SanctionsUK Bar
Malcolm is rightly regarded as a go-to sanctions junior. He is truly fantastic.
SanctionsUK Bar
Malcolm Birdling is superb.
SanctionsUK Bar
Malcolm provides very clear and lucid drafting, and has great knowledge.
Life Sciences RegulatoryUK Bar
Malcolm is very impressive. He is very clever and tactical, both in terms of the law and in court.
Life Sciences RegulatoryUK Bar