Administrative & Public Law | UK Bar

Blackstone Chambers' pre-eminence in public law is demonstrated by its involvement in the most significant constitutional cases; the set also leads the field when it comes to commercial or human rights-focused judicial review. Recent highlights include multiple instructions in the blockbuster appeal concerning the government's Rwanda asylum policy, and an appearance on behalf of the Ministry of Justice in a Supreme Court appeal over changes to custodial terms of imprisonment for prisoners convicted of terrorist related offences. Members act for a multitude of central government departments as well as regulators across various industries, including energy, financial services and telecommunications. Barristers from the set are also instructed by claimants and campaign groups. The set boasts numerous appearances in the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, the Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights. One solicitor notes: "They are the best of the best. They are consistently strong and at the top of their game."

11KBW offers first-class representation of government departments and individual or business claimants in a plethora of public law actions. Clients of the chambers benefit from its specialist knowledge of areas including public procurement and data protection. The set is lauded for its ability to deal with "novel and complex circumstances quickly, sensitively and pragmatically." Several members have been instructed on either side of major judicial review challenges concerning government decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic. Notable recent highlights include a high-profile challenge to the Government's Carbon Budget Delivery Plan and judicial review proceedings challenging the new curriculum introduced into schools across Wales from September 2022.

39 Essex Chambers, "a set with very impressive public law expertise," is exceptionally well-established across the full scope of public law work, and is notable equally for the volume of Administrative Court advocacy its barristers undertake, as for their appearances in the leading Supreme Court appeals. The set houses numerous "first rate" counsel who are firm favourites of government departments and local authorities, and who additionally act for claimants and charities. Chambers continues to demonstrate a marked affinity for work involving the provision of health or social care. Barristers from the set have led in a high profile challenge concerning the National Disability Strategy published in July 2021 and have been involved in judicial review proceedings challenging changes in public sector pension schemes.

Doughty Street Chambers can boast an extraordinary record of success in some of the most significant challenges to public policy and decisions on criminal justice, welfare provision, immigration and asylum. Their "top quality" public law specialist barristers act for individual claimants and human rights groups, appearing regularly in the Supreme Court. The breadth of the team is highlighted by one source, who notes: "our leading and junior counsel were of the highest order." In recent months, members have been instructed in the Rwanda asylum policy challenge and appeal, as well as challenges over a local authority's failure to provide suitable accommodation for a homeless individual nearly six years after the duty had been accepted.

Matrix Chambers has an exceptional pedigree in public and human rights law. The set is well known and highly regarded for representing individual claimants and NGOs in judicial review, but members are also instructed by government departments. A source praises them as "a real gem of a set; their breadth and depth of expertise is top-quality." Members are extremely well versed in a broad array of issues including welfare provision, immigration, civil liberties and policing, criminal law and many others. A recent highlight saw barristers defending a judicial review in relation to the death of Jermaine Baker in London over the test for self-defence in police misconduct proceedings. Elsewhere, barristers have represented Shamima Begum in her appeal against deprivation of citizenship before SIAC and the Court of Appeal. Chambers can offer strong capability for business claimants in regulatory judicial review.

Brick Court Chambers is notable for its prominence at the cutting edge of multiple facets of public law. The set is praised for its "excellent, deep bench of clever and client-friendly public law specialists," many of whom benefit from market-leading expertise in commercial or competition law, which informs their handling of judicial reviews challenging decisions on business regulation. Brick Court is also home to barristers experienced in major human rights-related cases. Among other high-profile cases, the barristers have recently successfully acted in R (Volkswagen) v Competition and Markets Authority which concerned the territorial scope of the authority's investigatory powers. Paul Dennison and Tony Burgess lead the clerking team.

Landmark Chambers excels in a notably broad selection of public law specialisms, including challenges to environmental, immigration and welfare policy. The set is praised for its "real depth of talent and experience in public law" and their "formidable" barristers are in demand to act for both claimants and central government defendants. Prominent judicial reviews affecting the workings of local authorities are an area of strength. As well as a significant appearance in the Supreme Court case over the meaning of "ordinary residence" in section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983, barristers from the set have recently acted in R (Annington) v Secretary of State for Defence.

Monckton Chambers excels in both commercial and human rights-based public law work. The "pragmatic and thorough" barristers boast "excellent expertise in public law" and represent individual claimants or interveners in challenges to policy involving immigration, social housing, criminal justice and related issues. Meanwhile, Chambers is regularly instructed by a range of government departments, including the Home Office, in key national security challenges involving surveillance and the use of data. The set also acts for businesses in competition and other regulatory matters. Recent mandates include acting for the Secretary of State for the Home Department and the Secretary of State for FCO in a judicial challenge brought by Liberty related to the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. David Hockney leads the team.

1 Crown Office Row is best known in the administrative law field for its barristers' deft handling of cases with national security elements, in the role of special advocate. Members are praised for "their remarkable ability to handle the most complex and sophisticated issues." This work sees them acting in prominent judicial reviews involving immigration law, criminal justice and counter-extremism. The set also possesses considerable public law expertise in various issues outside this niche, including healthcare provision and regulation, prisoners' rights, and the conduct of public inquiries. Members tend to act for the government in these cases. Matthew Phipps is the senior clerk.

Garden Court Chambers' well-known expertise in areas such as immigration and civil liberties is grounded in a firm command of public law principles and judicial review. Its capability in this area is strongly geared towards safeguarding the rights of vulnerable groups and individuals, by challenging policies of the Home Office and other government departments. One source praises the "exceptional" barristers who ensure that "one is always in good hands." Members of this set have appeared in numerous high-profile immigration-related cases, including a High Court challenge to the lawfulness of the Home Office accommodating unaccompanied asylum seeking children in hotels. The barristers possess notable experience covering policy on human trafficking, mental health and criminal justice.