Civil Liberties & Human Rights | UK Bar

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 gravity. Recent major cases have included R (Castellucci) v Gender Recognition Panel, focused on the recognition of foreign-acquired non-binary bodies. Blackstone Chambers was heavily instructed in the judicial review and appeal concerning the policy of removing asylum seekers to Rwanda. One client praises that the barristers are "always able to advise with skill on a broad range of matters".

Gary Oliver is a senior clerk at Blackstone Chambers.

Doughty Street Chambers is a highly respected set that sits at the cutting edge of human rights in both 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 advised or acted in prominent international law matters in recent years. Their work on behalf of Maria Ressa and in cases for the Yazidi women held by ISIS is of particular note. One market commentator notes: "We brief counsel from Doughty Street Chambers due to their unparalleled expertise and ability to easily handle complex and sophisticated matters."

Sian Wilkins is a senior clerk for Doughty Street's civil law team.

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, and members continued to act in the subsequent judicial review and appeal. Barristers from the set were also centrally involved in the International Court of Justice case South Africa v Israel. One of the instructing solicitors described Matrix barristers as "highly experienced, intelligent strategists".

Paul Venables and Elizabeth Bousher are the senior practice managers for the public law and international public law teams.

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. Members have strong expertise in human rights cases involving vulnerable individuals, in health and care contexts and in matters concerning questions of capacity to consent. Barristers from 39 Essex have continued to be instructed in major cases such as R (on the application of DM) v Secretary of State for the Home Department, focused on the policy of family reunion of refugee children. One of the solicitors instructing the set has noted: "39 Essex Chambers has an impressive array of leading juniors and KCs specialising in civil liberties and human rights."

Sheraton Doyle and Peter Campbell are directors of clerking for public law.

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. Several members, including Gráinne Mellon and Una Morris, have recently appeared in the Undercover Policing Inquiry, examining the targeting of political activists, grassroots organisations, justice campaigns and politicians by undercover police officers since 1968. Members acted in the Supreme Court appeal of Wolverhampton City Council & Others v London Gypsies and Travellers, focused on environmental concerns arising from travellers' nomadic lifestyle. One of the instructing solicitors described Garden Court Chambers as an "excellent set with strong, varied expertise. I like their ethos and motto of doing right and fearing no one."

Tim Hempsted is a senior practice manager for the civil liberties team.

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. The set is praised for "always having a barrister with the correct level of experience and expertise, even on the most complex and unusual claims". 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 in the Supreme Court in a challenge to the Rwanda plan.

Mathew Phipps is a senior clerk at 1 Crown Office Row.

11KBW enjoys a strong reputation for its human rights and civil liberties work, which ranges through immigration and mental health matters, to disputes concerning privacy and the disclosure of criminal records. The set is a popular choice for individual claimants and NGOs, as well as state and public bodies. Barristers from the set have been instructed in the Court of Appeal in a challenge of the non-payment of Universal Credit to EU citizens, brought by The Aire centre and Independent Monitoring Authority for The Citizens' Rights.

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. The set is praised for its "really high-quality juniors". Recent highlights include involvement in the judicial review and appeal concerning the government's policy of removing asylum seekers to Rwanda, and in Vinson Ariste v The King, an appeal focused on convictions obtained from police brutality.

Tony Burgess and Paul Dennison are the senior clerks at Brick Court Chambers.

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. Recent highlights include appearances in the appeal surrounding the Home Secretary's 'Rwanda policy', and in the appeal of Shamima Begum's revocation of citizenship.

Ben Connor is a practice director at Landmark Chambers.

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. Among other high-profile matters, counsel from the set have been active in challenges concerning the seizure of mobile devices from asylum seekers upon their arrival to the UK.

David Hockney is a senior clerk at Monckton Chambers.