Merry Varney
About
Provided by Merry Varney
Practice Areas
Merry acts for claimants in a broad variety of public and private claims, with a particular interest in human rights in health and social care. A significant part of her practice includes acting for bereaved families in Inquests and Article 2 claims in relation to deaths of patients, vulnerable adults and children, often involving multi-agency failings. Merry has also been instructed in multiple applications for fresh or second Inquests pursuant to s.13 Coroners Act 1988 and public law challenges related to coronial decisions.
Merry’s work on behalf of her clients, which also includes judicial review challenges and damages claims for victims of human rights violations, has secured outcomes from obtaining NHS funded healthcare treatment, changes in policy, critical inquest conclusions, Prevention of Future Death reports and compensation for violations of the right to life, the right to be free from degrading treatment and the right to family life. Merry became a partner in 2016 and sits on the INQUEST Lawyers Group Steering Committee.
Career
Merry trained at Linklaters before a secondment to Liberty led to following a career in human rights. She worked at Liberty after qualifying in 2004 and joined Leigh Day in 2007.
Chambers Review
UK
Merry Varney is highly regarded for her representation of the families of vulnerable individuals and children bringing Article 2 claims.
Merry Varney of Leigh Day is highly regarded for her representation of bereaved families at inquests. She has particular expertise in representing vulnerable children, adults and patients. Varney's recent work has included acting for the families of Molly Russell and Jack Ritchie at the inquests into their deaths.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Merry has outstanding command of the lay of the land and a firm ability to push the boundaries for where the state is responsible."
"She is an incredible advocate for human rights."
"Merry has outstanding command of the lay of the land and a firm ability to push the boundaries for where the state is responsible."
"She is an incredible advocate for human rights."
"Merry is one of the top partners handling inquests work; she focuses on novel and complicated Article 2 right to life cases."
"She is very well respected in community care inquests and has the ear of the coroners."
"Merry has outstanding command of the lay of the land and a firm ability to push the boundaries for where the state is responsible."
"She is an incredible advocate for human rights."
"Merry has outstanding command of the lay of the land and a firm ability to push the boundaries for where the state is responsible."
"She is an incredible advocate for human rights."
"Merry is one of the top partners handling inquests work; she focuses on novel and complicated Article 2 right to life cases."
"She is very well respected in community care inquests and has the ear of the coroners."
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