Scarlett Milligan

Practice Areas

Scarlett has a broad practice in inquests and inquiries, public law, and in civil claims for breaches of the Human Rights Act 1998, personal injury, clinical negligence and other tortious wrongdoing.

Scarlett is an in-demand junior who is regularly praised for being skilled beyond her year of call, and for her diligence and commitment to her cases.

She acts for an array of clients, both claimants and defendants, ranging from individuals through to large corporations and states. She is a member of the Attorney General’s B Panel, having been promoted in September 2023 following three years as a C Panellist.

Scarlett’s recent cases include:

• Junior Counsel to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry;

• The Infected Blood Inquiry (representing victims and families)

• Acting for victims and bereaved families in a number of high profile homicides and terror attacks (inquests and civil proceedings), including the fatal attacks on Michaela Hall and Matthew Boorman

• Numerous Article 2 inquests involving police forces, prisons, and healthcare settings

• Acting for the Chief Coroner in a judicial review challenge which takes issue with the accuracy of one of his Guidance Sheets

• Senior Coroner for South London v Assistant Coroner for South London [2022] EWHC 1388 (Admin) - remedies following s.13 statutory review of an inquest

• Bailey v SSJ [2023] EWHC 555 (Admin), led by James Strachan KC: a challenge to the SSJ's changes to evidence before the Parole Board, and rulings on whether contempt of court applies to the Parole Board

• High-profile sexual abuse claims (parties are confidential)

• ATLEU v SSJ, led by Galina Ward KC: a challenge to the policies for potential victims of trafficking in prisons

• The forthcoming Court of Appeal case of Options v FOS regarding SIPP due diligence duties, led by James Strachan KC

Scarlett feels strongly about the importance of accountability and public law challenges in our legal system, whether in holding the state to account or properly defending the state’s ability to implement its democratic mandate to make policy and manage resources while adhering to the duty of candour. Candour allegations have formed an important part of a number of challenges in which she is involved, as have a number of other procedural quirks involving remedies and costs.

Career

Called to the Bar in 2015. Appointed to the Attorney General's C Panel in September 2020, promoted to B Panel in September 2023.

Since July 2023, Scarlett has co-chaired the Young Public Law Lawyers’ Group (YPLG) and is committed to making both the YPLG and the public law field accessible to all.