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 Leigh and Others v Metropolitan Police, a challenge concerning the policing of the Sarah Everard vigil. Blackstone Chambers was heavily instructed in the judicial review and appeal concerning the policy of removing asylum seekers to Rwanda.

Doughty Street Chambers is a highly respected set which sits at the cutting edge of human rights both in 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 in recent years advised or acted in prominent international law matters. Of note has been their work on behalf of Maria Ressa, and in cases for the Yazidi women held by ISIS.

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 Supreme Court case of R (Officer W80) v IOPC.

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 (Maguire) v HM Senior Coroner for Blackpool, which asked whether Article 2 was engaged when a disabled individual died in state residential care.

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. Recently several members, including Gráinne Mellon and Una Morris, have appeared in the Undercover Policing Inquiry, examining the targeting of political activists, grassroots organisations, justice campaigns and politicians by undercover police officers since 1968. Stephanie Harrison KC acted in the Supreme Court appeal of R (TN (Vietnam)) v Home Secretary and Lord Chancellor, concerning the effect of the immigration appeals procedure rules being declared ultra vires.

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. 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 as Special Advocate for Shamima Begum in her challenge to the withdrawal of British citizenship, and representing a UN body in the major appeal concerning the Rwanda asylum removals scheme.

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 before the Court of Appeal concerning the Home Secretary's Rwanda removals policy, and have acted in other important cases including a challenge of the Net Zero Strategy brought by Friends of the Earth.

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. Recent highlights include involvement in the judicial review and appeal concerning the government's policy of removing asylum seekers to Rwanda, and in Ariste v the Queen, a Privy Council appeal against a conviction in the Bahamas.

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

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 relocation of Afghan interpreters to the UK.