Background

Civil Liberties and Human Rights

Acting on ground-breaking human rights challenges.

We appear in innovative, pioneering, and notable human rights cases in the courts today, with outcomes that shape and define how public authorities are accountable for and comply with human rights and civil liberties standards. Our expertise includes cases concerning: actions of the police, the rights of prisoners, national security and terrorism, information rights, and rights of people living with disabilities. Barristers advise and represent a broad client base of police forces, central and local governments, healthcare authorities, quasi-public authorities and individuals, in proceedings before tribunals and courts, from county courts to the Supreme Court, and are involved in every major public inquiry.

Civil liberties and human rights cases demand the highest standards of written and oral advocacy, realistic strategic advice, and integrity. These standards go to the heart of our barristers’ approach when advising on policies or instructed in litigation.

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Decisions made by public bodies have a profound impact on human rights of the subjects of those decisions, whether in the context of law enforcement, the criminal justice system, health and social care, data protection, or many others. Our barristers’ multidisciplinary expertise enables us to recognise the wider implications of a case, as well as advising on the particular matter. Having appeared in numerous cases and inquiries involving human rights issues, both in the UK and internationally, we understand the risks. We provide expert, robust, and creative solutions.

We are instructed to advise on policies or operational strategies regularly, and our experience with civil liberties and human rights law gives us a keen awareness of where, when, and how decisions are or should be made. We assist you with drafting policies or reviewing strategies so that they are compliant with human rights and equality standards.

Our specialist, supportive, and exceptional team will ensure that your case is handled with the utmost sensitivity and empathy for the individuals who are behind and in front of public authority decisions. You can rely on us to identify, advise, and navigate you through to the best possible outcome.

For more information, contact our clerking team to discuss how we can assist in more detail. 

For more information please contact our clerks.

Call +44 (0) 20 7410 2000 or click here to email

Civil Liberties and Human Rights Expertise

National security and terrorism including closed material procedures

Fatal incidents

Investigatory powers and duties

Powers of restraint and detention

Immigration and extradition

Mental health

Civil Liberties and Human Rights Barristers

King's Counsel

Fiona Barton KC

Call 1986 | Silk 2011

Anne Studd KC

Call 1988 | Silk 2012

Francesca Whitelaw KC

Call 2003 | Silk 2023

Charlotte Ventham KC

Call 2001 | Silk 2024

Juniors (10+ years)

Andrew Waters

Call 1987

John-Paul Waite

Call 1995

Russell Fortt

Call 1999

Claire Palmer

Call 2003

Beatrice Collier

Call 2004

Georgina Wolfe

Call 2006

Rob Harland

Call 2006

Saara Idelbi

Call 2008

Robert Cohen

Call 2009

Robert Talalay

Call 2010

Alex Ustych

Call 2010

Catriona Hodge

Call 2012

Aaron Moss

Call 2013

Sarah Taylor

Call 2014

Juniors (under 10 years)

John Goss

Call 2015

Peter Laverack

Call 2015

Aimee Riese

Call 2016

David Messling

Call 2017

Zander Goss

Call 2017

Jennifer Wright

Call 2018

Conor Monighan

Call 2019

Edmund Garnett

Call 2021

"a set stocked with very talented barristers"

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