Public Law

Members have particular expertise in judicial review arising from criminal and extradition proceedings. This includes challenges to the lawfulness of decisions under the Bail Act 1976, custody time limit extensions under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985, the issuance and execution of warrants under the Extradition Act 2003, the fairness of criminal and extradition proceedings, including participation in hearings and the taking of consent.

Members’ expertise in public international law includes advisory and contentious work relating to state, diplomatic and consular immunities, as well as challenges concerning failures to provide consular assistance, including advice on when Article 1 ECHR is engaged.

Drawing on chambers’ recognised strength in international and extradition law, members regularly advance and defend public law challenges based on Convention rights under the European Convention on Human Rights, as incorporated by the Human Rights Act 1998.  They also advise on applications to the European Court of Human Rights, including individual petitions (Rule 34) and interim measures (Rule 39).

Members have particular experience in cases involving Articles 2 and 3 (right to life and protection from torture), including risks posed by state and non-state actors and conditions of detention in both prison and immigration contexts; Article 4 (prohibition of slavery) in the context of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the UK’s international obligations under the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings 2005; Articles 5 and 6 (liberty and fair trial rights) within the criminal justice process; and Article 8 proportionality assessments, including in sanctions, data retention, immigration and extradition matters.

Members represent both claimants and the Secretary of State in appeals on points of law from the First-tier Tribunal to the Upper Tribunal, as well as in judicial reviews of Home Office decisions. This includes challenges relating to refusals of fresh claims, inadmissibility and certification decisions, and unlawful detention.

Members of chambers have experience acting as counsel in public inquiries and statutory investigations, advising and representing core participants, witnesses and public bodies. This work includes issues arising from the exercise of statutory powers, procedural fairness, disclosure and evidence, and the application of public law and human rights principles within the inquisitorial framework.

Chambers advises and represents clients in challenges to decisions of the Parole Board and the Ministry of Justice concerning release from custody and licence conditions. This work closely complements members’ expertise in extradition, immigration and international sentence transfer matters.

Chambers has substantial experience in acting for both claimants and the FCDO in challenges under section 38 of the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018, including designation and specification decisions following Ministerial review. Members are well-versed in the procedural and substantive aspects of such claims, including proceedings under CPR 79 and 8 (as amended).