Sam Fowles

Practice Areas

Public and Constitutional

Miller/Cherry v The Prime Minister (prorogation of parliament), Hamilton v Post Office (largest “abuse of process” finding in UK history), and SNP v ITV (2019 election debates).

Freedom of Information

Montague v SoS International Trade (Brexit trade talks), Stanley v SoS Northern Ireland (Birmingham Pub Bombings), and Martin-Clark v Haringey (extra-territorial claimants, confidential information).

Planning and Environmental

Valero v Plymouth (heliport near a COMAH site), Suliman v BCP (power to impose conditions), Re. Braintree Local Plan (examination in public).

Inquests and Inquiries

Parliamentary inquiries into (1) the policing of the vigil for Sarah Everard and (2) judicial independence (counsel to the inquiry), and Re. Stewart (10-day inquest concerning the death of a child in custody).

Data Protection

X v Y (an international NGO’s use of online petitions), R v Metropolitan Police (personal data in an investigation into suspected paedophilia), advising the Shadow Attorney General on the Covid “contact tracing” app.

Other work includes local government, licensing, electoral, regulatory, property, and housing, and commercial.

Career

Current positions:

Director, Institute for Constitutional and Democratic Research

Lecturer, St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford

Counsel, APPG on Democracy and the Constitution

Education:

University of London, Doctor of Philosophy in Laws (2017)

University of St Andrews, Master of Arts in Modern History (1st Class, Deans List) (2011)

Scholarships and Prizes:

2021, Bar Pro Bono Awards, Young Barrister of the Year (special commendation)

2016, Edmund Davies Award, Gray’s Inn

Publications

“Overruled: Confronting Our Vanishing Democracy in 8 Cases” (Oneworld, 2022)

For complete list see cornerstonebarristers.com/barrister/dr-sam-fowles/