UK Bar London (Bar) Civil Liberties & Human Rights

Blackstone Chambers is lauded as a legendary set for its human rights practice. Its barristers appear in prominent disputes before the Supreme Court and European Court of Human Rights, routinely handling cases of extraordinary complexity and severity. Recent instructions include acting in the high-profile appeal cases of Shamima Begum v Special Immigration Appeals Commission, and R (Elan-Cane) v Secretary of State for the Home Department, an appeal of the government's decision not to issue non-gender-specific 'X' passports, in which members appeared for the appellant, intervener and respondent.

Doughty Street Chambers is a highly respected set which sits at the cutting edge of human rights both in a domestic and international context. Tenants represent claimants or NGO interveners in a wide variety of areas including protest law, police law, immigration, housing and welfare benefits. A number of barristers from the set have in recent years advised or acted in prominent international law matters, such as Tatyana Eatwell, who acted on behalf of the family of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra, and Kirsty Brimelow KC, who led the first challenge to the legality of US targeted killing operations before a regional human rights treaty monitoring body. Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC and Amal Clooney have continued to represent the Filipino journalist Maria Ressa in challenging a controversial cyber libel conviction.

Matrix Chambers maintains an outstanding reputation for its civil liberties and human rights work. Members of the set represent both defendants and claimants across criminal and civil claims, and frequently appear in the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and the Supreme Court. In a recent highlight, Raza Husain KC and Chris Buttler KC represented the successful claimants in their application to the ECtHR, to halt the first flight carrying asylum seekers to Rwanda. Sarah Hannett KC appeared for the Home Secretary in the Supreme Court case of R (Elan-Cane), concerning non-gendered passports, whilst Hugh Southey KC and Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh achieved success in the 'hooded men' judicial reviews.

39 Essex Chambers is widely respected for its abilities across a broad range of civil liberties and human rights matters. Its barristers are often sought out to represent the government as respondent in significant proceedings, particularly in the areas of immigration and asylum, and health and social care. Recent work includes Jenni Richards KC's appointment as lead counsel to the Infected Blood Inquiry; and acting for the government in AM (Zimbabwe) v Secretary of State for the Home Department, a Supreme Court appeal in which Lisa Giovanetti KC, Rory Dunlop KC and others were instructed, concerning the deportation of foreign nationals who lack access to appropriate healthcare in their home country.

A highly experienced claimant set, Garden Court Chambers regularly handles complex and high-profile human rights disputes. Members at the set have expertise across prison law, protest law, immigration detention and public inquiries. Recently several members, including Gráinne Mellon and Una Morris, have appeared in the Undercover Policing Inquiry, examining the targeting of political activists, grassroots organisations, justice campaigns and politicians by undercover police officers since 1968. In addition, Amanda Weston KC successfully represented Mr Majera, a Rwandan national, in his Supreme Court appeal concerning immigration detention bail conditions.

1 Crown Office Row's barristers are highly regarded for their work in closed proceedings as Special Advocates, regularly representing the government in terrorism and national security cases. Members also offer human rights expertise in immigration, asylum and healthcare-related matters, and are equally adept acting for claimants as defendants. Recent matters include acting as Special Advocate for Shamima Begum in her challenge to the withdrawal of British citizenship, and Bell v Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, a challenge to the treatment protocol for transgender children in the UK.

11KBW enjoys a strong reputation for its human rights and civil liberties work, which ranges across immigration and mental health matters, to disputes concerning privacy and the disclosure of criminal records. The set is a popular choice for both individual claimants and NGOs as well as state and public bodies. Jason Coppel KC, Tom Cross and Cecilia Ivimy are among barristers from the set who have been involved in some of the key human rights and public law challenges to the 2020 lockdown restrictions and other matters relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brick Court Chambers houses barristers who are adept at both national and international human rights disputes, frequently appearing before the highest UK appellate courts and a number of international judicial fora. Their expertise ranges across immigration and asylum cases, terrorism and issues around data privacy. Recent highlights have included Maya Lester KC's and Malcolm Birdling's involvement in the successful challenge to delist the Tamil Tigers as a terrorist organisation in the UK. Other key cases include R (Doctors Association United Kingdom) v Secretary of State for Health, challenging the refusal to conduct an inquiry into the deaths of healthcare workers arising from COVID-19, and failures in the procurement and supply of PPE.

Skilled at representing both defendants and claimants, Landmark Chambers' excellent barristers frequently appear in human rights cases pertaining to healthcare, immigration and asylum, voting rights, prisoners' rights and torture. Barristers from the set have appeared in both international and national courts, and recently acted in the case of Shamima Begum v Secretary of State for the Home Department.

Monckton Chambers is notable for its ability to act at the intersection between commercial regulatory law and human rights. The set also maintains a broader human rights and civil liberties practice, with members acting in discrimination, police law and privacy-related cases. Monckton barristers appear before all levels of the domestic court system, as well as international courts. A recent highlight saw Ian Wise KC act in R (Miller) v College of Policing, a successful challenge to police guidance on hate speech online.