Ranking tables

International Human Rights Law | UK Bar

London (Bar)

The section covers violations of rights under the Human Rights Act 1998 and the European Convention on Human Rights by the government, media and organisations, in the way they behave towards individuals. It features cases involving judicial review proceedings and also cases brought before the European Court of Human Rights.This section covers non-domestic human rights work, but particularly involvement in novel cases concerning jurisdictions without established human rights legislation. Areas of interest include the treatment of individuals in armed conflict; efforts towards the recognition of minority rights; and the protection of journalists from persecution. See also: Civil Liberties & Human Rights

Rankings overview for Silks (KC)

All Silks (KC) profiles

1

Band 1

  1. Alison Macdonald KC
    1
    Alison Macdonald KC
    Essex Court Chambers
    Essex Court Chambers | International Human Rights Law
    2025 | Band 1 | 18 Years Ranked
    Alison Macdonald KC is a well-regarded silk known for her work in complex civil liberties matters, including significant judicial review proceedings concerning human rights and criminal law. She often handles major investigations as part of her flourishing public law practice. She has recently acted in death penalty cases across various international jurisdictions, and has worked in a highly novel claim brought by a group of Portuguese children concerning the international response to the climate crisis.
  2. Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC
    1
    Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC
    Doughty Street Chambers
    Doughty Street Chambers | International Human Rights Law
    2025 | Band 1 | 16 Years Ranked
    Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC commands deep respect in the field of human rights and civil liberties. Her broad areas of expertise include media law, children's rights, community care and national security, and she is particularly noted for her adroit handling of matters concerning the failure of state bodies. She has a strong judicial review practice and has recently been involved with important cases surrounding abortion and women's rights.
  3. Jemima Stratford KC
    1
    Jemima Stratford KC
    Brick Court Chambers
    Brick Court Chambers | International Human Rights Law
    2025 | Band 1 | 22 Years Ranked
    Jemima Stratford KC has cultivated a highly respected practice in the field of civil liberties and human rights. She regularly handles an array of high-profile, significant cases, covering areas such as the rights of pregnant workers, state immunity rules and torture allegations. She appears before employment tribunals, the High Court and the Supreme Court, as well as the European Court of Human Rights.
  4. Kirsty Brimelow KC
    1
    Kirsty Brimelow KC
    Doughty Street Chambers
    Doughty Street Chambers | International Human Rights Law
    2025 | Band 1 | 20 Years Ranked
    Kirsty Brimelow KC is an experienced silk with an extensive international human rights practice, appearing or advising at the ICC, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, courts martial, Courts of Appeal in the Caribbean and the ECOWAS court. She takes on complex civil liberties cases, such as those involving physical integrity, the dignity of individuals and their right to effective legal remedy.
  5. Schona Jolly KC
    1
    Schona Jolly KC
    Cloisters Chambers
    Cloisters Chambers | International Human Rights Law
    2025 | Band 1 | 14 Years Ranked
    Schona Jolly KC of Cloisters Chambers is a well-regarded practitioner with notable expertise across human rights matters, including discrimination, trafficking and judicial reviews. She has deep experience in international human rights issues and is noted for her work defending journalists in major freedom of expression cases. She is particularly recognised for her work on the impact of Brexit on human rights and equality law.
  6. Shaheed Fatima KC
    1
    Shaheed Fatima KC
    Blackstone Chambers
    Blackstone Chambers | International Human Rights Law
    2025 | Band 1 | 19 Years Ranked
    Shaheed Fatima KC is a highly acclaimed and talented silk who routinely provides expert representation to NGOs, governments and private individuals, domestically and internationally. Her broad expertise covers areas such as immigration, sanctions and unlawful detention. She is particularly well versed in the UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, and is an authority on the protection of children in armed conflict.
  7. Timothy Otty KC
    1
    Timothy Otty KC
    Blackstone Chambers
    Blackstone Chambers | International Human Rights Law
    2025 | Band 1 | 20 Years Ranked
    Timothy Otty KC is particularly noted for his adroit handling of cases concerning state immunity and economic sanctions. He is regularly called on to tackle high-profile, complex matters before domestic, European and international courts.
  8. Edward Fitzgerald KC
    Doughty Street Chambers | International Human Rights Law
    2025 | Band 1
  9. Pete Weatherby KC
    Garden Court North Chambers | International Human Rights Law
    2025 | Band 1
  10. Rodney Dixon KC
    Temple Garden Chambers | International Human Rights Law
    2025 | Band 1
2

Band 2

  1. Guglielmo Verdirame KC
    2
    Guglielmo Verdirame KC
    Twenty Essex
    Twenty Essex | International Human Rights Law
    2025 | Band 2 | 17 Years Ranked
    Guglielmo Verdirame KC of Twenty Essex is an experienced international human rights silk. He is instructed in sensitive and complex matters pertaining to interstate and intrastate conflicts, as well as advising on asylum and refugee law.
  2. Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC
    Matrix Chambers | International Human Rights Law
    2025 | Band 2
  3. Philippe Sands KC
    11KBW | International Human Rights Law
    2025 | Band 2
  4. Rachel Barnes KC
    3 Raymond Buildings | International Human Rights Law
    2025 | Band 2