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 members' role in the high-profile challenge to the Government’s decision to apply VAT to private school fees and their appearance in the challenge to the Octopus and Bulb energy deal. 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 ECtHR. One solicitor notes: "Blackstone are the thoroughbreds of the public law world, and it shows at every level, from silks who handle all the most complex cases to juniors who are technically excellent and reliable. There are no weak links."

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 bench of "approachable and down-to-earth barristers" and their "technically excellent advice that is anchored in commercial reality". 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 defending Michaela School in the high-profile challenge to their prayer ban and acting for the government in Prince Harry's challenge to police protection in the UK.

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. Its "talented and dedicated" 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: "There are high-quality counsel from pupils through to KCs. They are uniquely placed to act in cases involving intersecting public law issues." In recent months, members have been instructed in the high-profile judicial review challenge to the government's arms export to Israel and a challenge to the new legislation that aims to end all police investigations, damages claims, inquests and police disciplinary hearings touching upon the Troubles.

Matrix Chambers has an exceptional pedigree in public and human rights law. The barristers are commonly instructed on matters that are "complex and have a significant public interest". 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. Members are extremely well versed in a broad array of issues, as one source says: "Matrix have the most diverse skill set out there." This includes 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.

39 Essex Chambers, a set with "public and administrative law heavyweights, able to take on high-profile and complex work", is exceptionally well established across the full scope of public law work, and is as notable for the volume of Administrative Court advocacy its barristers undertake as for their appearances in the leading Supreme Court appeals. The set houses "an excellent array of top-quality" 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 Supreme Court appeal concerning the rights of clinicians to lifelong anonymity and have been involved in numerous judicial review proceedings challenging the government's provision of accommodation for migrants and asylum seekers.

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 top silks and commercially-minded public lawyers" 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 been instructed in the Supreme Court appeal of Shvidler v FCDO, which is significant to understanding the UK's approach to Russian sanctions, and have been involved in the challenge to the subsidies granted to Octopus.

Tony Burgess and Paul Dennison are the joint senior clerks.

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 "practical and creative advocates who have a full understanding of complex public law issues", and their "incisive" 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. Members have recently appeared on both sides in high-profile challenges to the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act and have recently acted in the successful challenge to the mooring of Bibby Stockholm barge.

Monckton Chambers excels in both commercial and human rights-based public law work. The "highly impressive set for dealing with public law issues" represents 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 in the high-profile challenge brought by Prince Harry in relation to police protection and acting on behalf of clients such as Sky and Uber in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court respectively. 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. The set is "renowned for its proficiency in public law". This work sees its members 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, such as their role in the high-profile challenge of the government's decision to cut winter fuel payments.

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 solicitor praises the "excellent quality of the barristers" whose "passion and enthusiasm is always at the forefront". Members of this set have appeared in numerous high-profile immigration and trafficking cases, including challenges to asylum seekers' accommodation and challenging the Home Office's policy on victims of human trafficking and slavery. The barristers possess notable experience covering policy on human trafficking, mental health and criminal justice.

Colin Cook leads the clerking.