Administrative and Public Law

Our leading public law barristers have a long-standing reputation for taking on cutting-edge challenges against public authorities.

"The clerks are an asset to their chambers. They will go out of their way to accommodate potential instruction and also in continuing case support in the form of facilitating conferences."

Chambers & Partners UK Bar Guide

"The clerks are incredibly responsive, efficient, friendly and engaging to work with. They have excellent foresight."

Chambers & Partners UK Bar Guide

"The set's well-known expertise in areas such as immigration and civil liberties is grounded in a firm command of public law principles and judicial review. Its capability in this area is strongly geared towards safeguarding the rights of vulnerable groups and individuals, in challenging policies of the Home Office and other government departments."

Chambers & Partners UK Bar Guide

"Barristers from this set have appeared in numerous high-profile cases on immigration detention, including Lawal v SSHD, a successful challenge to the deportation of witnesses shortly after the death of an immigrant in detention. The barristers possess notable experience covering policy on human trafficking, mental health and criminal justice.

Chambers & Partners UK Bar Guide

To contact the Public Law Clerks, please email publiclawclerks@gclaw.co.uk or phone 

+44 (0)20 7993 7600

Legal 500 2022: Top Tier Set

We help our clients pursue public law challenges against all public authorities including government departments, courts and tribunals, coroners, the police, housing authorities, schools and prisons.

Areas of Expertise

  • Challenges to government policy and secondary legislation
  • Constitutional challenges to all the key departments of state
  • Challenging cuts to public services
  • Access to justice
  • Deaths for which the state could be responsible
  • Public inquiries
  • Human rights and international humanitarian law
  • False imprisonment, administrative detention and prisoners’ rights
  • National security and counter-terror measures
  • Social welfare and health
  • Criminal justice
  • Discrimination
  • Trafficking and modern slavery
  • Environmental and planning

Our public law barristers specialise in bringing challenges that defend the rights of individuals and have a wider lasting and beneficial impact for society and affected groups.

Public law challenges arise in nearly all of Chambers’ specialist areas. Our core strength is the multi-disciplinary expertise we can offer at all levels of seniority. We pursue bold and innovative points of law to secure the best possible outcome for our clients.

Our public law barristers write leading texts on judicial review and regularly train others on how to pursue judicial reviews. We are always happy to discuss creative ways in which we can work with you and add value to your work. 

Garden Court Chambers won the Human Rights and Public Law Set of the Year Award at the Chambers Bar Awards 2016 and was shortlisted for Public Law Set of the Year at the Legal 500 Awards 2017. We are ranked in the Chambers & Partners UK Bar Guide for Public Law.

Recent notable cases and news

High Court grants interim relief for immigration detainee with pending Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings

Alex Schymyck, of the Garden Court Chambers Public Law Team, represented the Claimant, instructed by Halima Safa Ahmed of Duncan Lewis Solicitors.

19 September 2024

Successful Discrimination Judicial Review results in Home Office changing the law to allow Bereaved Partners to make fee waiver applications when applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain

Nicola Braganza KC and Maria Moodie, both of the Garden Court Chambers Public Law and Immigration Teams, instructed by Sarah Looney at the Public Law Interest Centre, successfully represented the Claimant.

18 September 2024

Louise Hooper contributes to 'The Law of Artificial Intelligence' Second Edition

Our Louise Hooper has contributed to Chapter 4: 'Human Rights' in The Law of Artificial Intelligence, second edition.

12 September 2024

Grace Brown shortlisted for 'Diversity & Inclusion: Outstanding Contribution' at Chambers UK Bar Awards 2024

We are delighted to announce that our Joint Head of Chambers, Grace Brown, has been shortlisted for 'Diversity & Inclusion: Outstanding Contribution' at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2024.

22 August 2024

Home Office introduces scheme to relocate family members of Afghan evacuees

Ali Bandegani of Garden Court Chambers acted for the claimant DX1, instructed by Daniel Carey and Catherine Dowle of Deighton Pierce Glynn.

1 August 2024

Steven Galliver-Andrew successfully challenges forced relocation of student asylum seeker

Steven Galliver-Andrew of the Garden Court Public Law and Immigration Teams acted for the claimant, instructed by Satvir Sahota and Maniha Ahmad Khan of Duncan Lewis.

31 July 2024

Garden Court Chambers shortlisted for record-breaking fourteen awards at The Legal 500 Bar Awards

We are delighted to announce that Garden Court Chambers has been shortlisted in a record-breaking fourteen categories at The Legal 500 Bar Awards.

9 July 2024

Ollie Persey wins Legal Aid Newcomer of the Year Award at LALY Awards 2024

We are delighted to announce that Ollie Persey is the winner of Legal Aid Newcomer of the Year at the 2024 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards.

8 July 2024

Suitable accommodation secured for non-binary person fleeing Russia

Steven Galliver-Andrew of the Garden Court Immigration Team successfully represented the claimant, instructed by Satvir Sahota and Tahera Lakha of Duncan Lewis Solicitors.

5 July 2024

Negative trafficking decision quashed by High Court

Taimour Lay of Garden Court Chambers represented a child victim of trafficking who challenged a negative Reasonable Grounds evaluation.

1 July 2024

Asylum Support Tribunal rules on evictions following ‘implicit withdrawals’ of asylum claims

Alex Grigg of Garden Court Chambers acted pro-bono for the appellants, instructed by Mark Rogers and Richard Copson of the Asylum Support Appeals Project (ASAP).

26 June 2024

City University concedes important Court of Appeal case on procedural fairness for students accused of sexual misconduct

The successful Claimant was represented by Nicola Braganza KC and Ollie Persey of Garden Court’s Education Law Team, instructed by IBB Law.

25 June 2024

Immigration Blog: Garden Court barristers secure clean sweep of Rwanda removals bail victories

Blog post by Georgie Rea of the Garden Court Immigration Law Team.

24 June 2024

High Court finds Home Office decision to abandon key Windrush recommendations discriminatory

Our Joint Head of Chambers, Grace Brown acted for the claimant, Mr Donald, led by Phillippa Kaufmann KC. Our Nicola Braganza KC and Bijan Hoshi acted for the intervener, Black Equity Organisation (BEO).

19 June 2024

New JUSTICE report finds current government contracting fails to protect the rights of individual service users

A new report, 'Beyond the Blame Game' by JUSTICE, outlines a responsible and rights-centred approach to government contracting. Our Connor Johnston and Una Morris assisted in consulting on this report project.

11 June 2024

High Court rules Home Secretary acted unlawfully by failing to provide document to thousands of migrants with valid immigration status

Stephanie Harrison KC of Garden Court Chambers represented RAMFEL and Ms Adjei alongside Shu Shin Luh of Doughty Street Chambers, instructed by Janet Farrell and Christina Bodenes of Bhatt Murphy Solicitors.

7 June 2024

High Court determines that Windrush victims are not entitled to Legal Aid

Grace Brown, Joint Head of Garden Court Chambers, and Alex Schymyck, also of Garden Court, represent Joyce Oji, instructed by Southwark Law Centre (SLC). King’s Legal Clinic & the Windrush Justice Clinic are supporting SLC in this case.

3 June 2024

HS2 injunction discharged over its northern leg

Stephen Simblet KC, Joint Head of Garden Court Chambers, represented the defendant, instructed by Nicola Hall of Robert Lizar Solicitors, Manchester.

24 May 2024

Greg Ó Ceallaigh KC secures damages for a British national unjustly detained by the Home Office

Greg Ó Ceallaigh KC of the Garden Court Public Law Team represented the claimant, instructed by Haroon Kamidad and Bahar Ata of Duncan Lewis.

22 May 2024

County Court finds pre-settled status holders eligible for homelessness assistance under Housing Act 1996 on basis of right to equal treatment

The successful Appellant was represented by Adrian Berry and Desmond Rutledge of Garden Court Chambers, instructed by Shelter.

22 May 2024

High Court finds government anti-protest legislation unlawful after legal challenge

Bijan Hoshi of Garden Court Chambers acted for the intervener, Public Law Project, led by Tom De La Mare KC and Tom Cleaver of Blackstone Chambers. Counsel were instructed by Herbert Smith Freehills LLP.

21 May 2024

High Court hears landmark challenge to the lack of legal aid for school exclusion appeals

The Claimant is represented by Stephanie Harrison KC & Ollie Persey, both of Garden Court, instructed by Coram Children’s Legal Centre. The charity MIND is intervening. MIND is represented by Grace Brown & Nadia O’Mara, both of Garden Court.

21 May 2024

High Court hears landmark challenge to the lack of legal aid for school exclusion appeals

The Claimant is represented by Stephanie Harrison KC & Ollie Persey, both of Garden Court, instructed by Coram Children’s Legal Centre. The charity MIND is intervening. MIND is represented by Grace Brown & Nadia O’Mara, both of Garden Court.

21 May 2024

Nick Bano, Ollie Persey and Mia Hakl-Law shortlisted for LALY Awards 2024

Our warmest congratulations to Nick, Ollie and Mia for this outstanding achievement.

20 May 2024

High Court issues declaration of incompatibility finding that provisions in the Police Act unlawfully discriminate against Gypsies and Travellers

The successful claimant was represented by Marc Willers KC and Ollie Persey of Garden Court Chambers. Stephen Simblet KC and Nadia O’Mara of Garden Court Chambers acted for the First Intervener, Friends, Families and Travellers.

14 May 2024

Dr Susie Alegre's new book 'Human Rights, Robot Wrongs: Being Human in the Age of AI' out today

Dr Susie Alegre, an associate tenant at Garden Court Chambers, has authored 'Human Rights, Robot Wrongs: Being Human in the Age of AI', published by Atlantic Books

2 May 2024

Can Gas Safety Records (GSR), Energy Performance Certificates (EPC), and How to Rent Guides (HTR) be deemed served on a tenant by post under Section 7 of the Interpretation Act 1978?

Our Tim Jones of the Garden Court Housing Team is acting for the Appellant, led by Matthew Lee of Doughty Street Chambers and instructed by Manjinder Atwal & Vincent Davis of Duncan Lewis Solicitors.

25 April 2024

Legal team acting in landmark Court of Appeal tax credit case win Citizens Advice award

Desmond Rutledge and Ollie Persey of Garden Court Chambers represented the Respondent, Mr Arrbab in the Court of Appeal.

25 April 2024

High Court orders release from immigration detention to Schedule 10 accommodation

Alex Schymyck of Garden Court Chambers represented the claimant, instructed by Lewis Kett and Dominic Chambers of Duncan Lewis Solicitors.

16 April 2024

High Court finds Local Authority's housing policy to be discriminatory against women and girls escaping violence in successful judicial review challenge

Stephanie Harrison KC and Nadia O’Mara of the Garden Court Public Law Team successfully acted for the Claimant, instructed by Public Interest Law Centre.

10 April 2024

Gavin Brown: Bereaved family granted permission in application for judicial review

Jodie Blackstock of Garden Court Chambers provided legal advice to lawyers acting for Gavin's family.

8 April 2024

Acland Bryant joins Garden Court Chambers as new tenant

We are delighted to announce that Acland has joined Garden Court Chambers as a new tenant.

4 April 2024

Past Notable Cases

 

We are known for ground-breaking and successful challenges to government policy in test cases of constitutional importance.

Our barristers regularly appear in the European Court of Human Rights, European Court of Justice, Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court and the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber).

Our team also fights for clients in judicial reviews that may not hit the headlines, but are nonetheless vital for protecting the rights of vulnerable individuals.

Our recent news items can be viewed above. Past notable historic cases can be viewed below. 

R (K and Anor) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2018] EWHC 2951(Admin)
High Court strikes down Home Office decision to cut support for victims of trafficking and modern slavery in a claim successfully challenging the policy decision of the Home Office. Reported in the Guardian and Independent

R (DS and Ors) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions UKSC 2018/0074
Challenge to revised benefit cap as unlawfully discriminating against lone parents with children under two. Supreme Court Judgment pending. See Rights Info.

Hussein v Secretary of State for the Home Department & Anor [2018] EWHC 2013 (Admin)
Permission granted to seek public inquiry into systematic abuse at Brook House immigration removal centre. Reported in the Guardian in February and May 2018.

R (PRCBC) v Secretary of State for the Home Department, CO/2663/2018
High profile challenge concerning the excessive fee charged by the Home Office to children who wish to register for British citizenship. Reported in the Guardian

R (Against Borders for Children) v Secretary of State for Education, CO/8/2018, C1/2018/0763
School census data collection is breach of EU and domestic data protection principles. Further to the litigation, the Education Secretary decided in May 2018 to cease collection of such data in future school census. Reported in the Independent

R( Andrews) v SSBEI and SSHCLG, CO/3256/2018
High Court rules that Mineral Planning Authorities are not bound by statutory definition of fracking and can apply their own wider definitions

R (Medical Justice) v SSHD [2017] CO/5386/2016
High Court rules government redefinition of torture in immigration detention policy is unlawful. Wide reaching findings for hundreds of victims of torture found to have been wrongly detained in immigration detention centres. Reported in the Guardian

R (ota) CL v Greater Manchester Police [2018] CO/3515/2016 & CO/1076/2018
Boy wins right to judicial review in challenge to have details of 'sexting' incident erased by police. Reported in the Guardian.

R (oao Slade & Baxter) v HM Attorney General and the DPP (C1/2018/1351)
Successful test case to challenge the refusal by the Attorney General to conduct independent inquiry of high-profile criminal case. Reported by the BBC.

R(C) v Secretary of State for Justice [2016] UKSC 2
The Claimant successfully challenged a decision by the Home Secretary to refuse him unescorted leave in the community and maintained an order of anonymity to protect his identity. Widely reported, including by the BBC

R (Kiarie; Byndloss) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2017] UKSC 42; [2017] WLR 2380
Landmark Supreme Court ruling on access to effective remedy for out of country appeals.

R (Joanna Dennehy) v SSJ and Governor of HMP Bronzefield  [2016] EWHC 1219 (Admin)
Successful challenge to the legality of regulations and policies on prolonged segregation of vulnerable prisoners. 

Contact team

What others say

"The set's well-known expertise in areas such as immigration and civil liberties is grounded in a firm command of public law principles and judicial review. Its capability in this area is strongly geared towards safeguarding the rights of vulnerable groups and individuals, in challenging policies of the Home Office and other government departments. "

Chambers UK Bar Guide 

 

publications

Our barristers have contributed to or co-authored many of the leading texts on public law, immigration, housing and criminal justice:

  • Judicial Review: A Practical Guide, 3rd edition 2017 – Amanda Weston KC
  • Judicial Review: A Practical Guide, 2nd edition 2012 – Amanda Weston KC
  • Judicial Review: Law & Practice, 1st edition, 2012 – Amanda Weston KC
  • Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery: Law and Practice, 1st edition 2018 - Michelle Brewer and contributions from other members of the public law team
  • Archbold Criminal Pleading Evidence & Practice – Maya Sikand, Contributing Editor 2015 to date
  • Blackstone’s Guide to the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, OUP, 2009 – Maya Sikand
  • Blackstone’s Criminal Practice, OUP – Maya Sikand, Contributing Editor 2009 – 2014
  • Housing Allocation and Homelessness, Jordans, 4th edition, 2016 – Liz Davies KC
  • Macdonald’s Immigration Law and Practice – all editions have included contributions from many members of the public law team
  • Butterworths’ Immigration Law Service – Greg Ó Ceallaigh

 

Associate member expertise

We have strong academic links and boast a number of Associate Members with particular expertise in areas such as discrimination law, race and policing in the EU, gender, equality, sexuality, human rights approaches to legal gender recognition, environmental law and planning law. 

 

The Team

Stephanie Harrison KC

Year of Call: 1991

Year of Silk: 2013

Marc Willers KC

Year of Call: 1987

Year of Silk: 2014

Leslie Thomas KC

Year of Call: 1988

Year of Silk: 2014

Sonali Naik KC

Year of Call: 1991

Year of Silk: 2018

Amanda Weston KC

Year of Call: 1995

Year of Silk: 2018

Stephen Simblet KC

Year of Call: 1991

Year of Silk: 2020

Nicola Braganza KC

Year of Call: 1992

Year of Silk: 2022

Liz Davies KC

Year of Call: 1994

Year of Silk: 2022

Edward Grieves KC

Year of Call: 1995

Year of Silk: 2023

Irena Sabic KC

Year of Call: 2002

Year of Silk: 2023

Joanne Cecil KC

Year of Call: 2005

Year of Silk: 2024

Greg Ó Ceallaigh KC

Year of Call: 2006

Year of Silk: 2024

Patrick Roche

Year of Call: 1977

Kathryn Cronin

Year of Call: 1980

Stephen Cottle

Year of Call: 1984

Christopher Williams

Year of Call: 1988

Rebecca Chapman

Year of Call: 1990

Bethan Harris

Year of Call: 1990

David Jones

Year of Call: 1994

Grace Brown

Year of Call: 1995

Louise Hooper

Year of Call: 1997

Adrian Berry

Year of Call: 1998

Gordon Lee

Year of Call: 1998

Ronan Toal

Year of Call: 1999

Bojana Asanovic

Year of Call: 2000

Felicity Williams

Year of Call: 2000

Tim Baldwin

Year of Call: 2001

Desmond Rutledge

Year of Call: 2001

Maha Sardar

Year of Call: 2002

Jodie Blackstock

Year of Call: 2003

Andrew Eaton

Year of Call: 2004

Mark Symes

Year of Call: 2004

Sarah Hemingway

Year of Call: 2006

Jennifer Twite

Year of Call: 2006

Alex Grigg

Year of Call: 2007

Kirsten Heaven

Year of Call: 2007

Richard Reynolds

Year of Call: 2007

Helen Foot

Year of Call: 2008

Ali Bandegani

Year of Call: 2009

Raza Halim

Year of Call: 2009

Paul Clark

Year of Call: 2010

Owen Greenhall

Year of Call: 2010

Connor Johnston

Year of Call: 2010

Gráinne Mellon

Year of Call: 2010

Emma Fitzsimons

Year of Call: 2011

Bijan Hoshi

Year of Call: 2011

Taimour Lay

Year of Call: 2011

Maria Moodie

Year of Call: 2011

Una Morris

Year of Call: 2012

David Sellwood

Year of Call: 2012

Michael Etienne

Year of Call: 2012

Stephen Clark

Year of Call: 2013

Nick Bano

Year of Call: 2013

Ubah Dirie

Year of Call: 2014

Eleanor Sibley

Year of Call: 2014

Ricky Blennerhassett

Year of Call: 2015

Matthew Ahluwalia

Year of Call: 2015

Franck Magennis

Year of Call: 2016

Zehrah Hasan

Year of Call: 2016

Luke McLean

Year of Call: 2017

Ollie Persey

Year of Call: 2017

Oscar Davies

Year of Call: 2018

Steven Galliver-Andrew

Year of Call: 2018

Ella Gunn

Year of Call: 2018

Nadia O'Mara

Year of Call: 2018

Eva Doerr

Year of Call: 2019

Maaha Elahi

Year of Call: 2019

Acland Bryant

Year of Call: 2019

Rehab Jaffer

Year of Call: 2019

Fatima Jichi

Year of Call: 2019

Georgie Rea

Year of Call: 2019

Isaac Ricca-Richardson

Year of Call: 2020

Alex Schymyck

Year of Call: 2020

Hannah Lynes

Year of Call: 2021

Josephine Fathers

Year of Call: 2022

Anna Morris KC

Year of Call: 2006

Year of Silk: 2023

Adrienne Copithorne

Year of Call: 2018

We are top ranked by independent legal directories and consistently win awards.

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