Bhatt Murphy sets the pace in its ‘pioneering approach’ and ‘unwavering commitment’ in securing successes in police actions, prison law matters, and immigration detention and migrant rights. Advising both individuals in compensation claims, inquests, and public inquiries, and NGOs in judicial reviews, the team is also accomplished in pursuing complex matters to the ECtHR. Janet Farrell is ‘tenacious, innovative, and fearless’ in defending the rights of vulnerable groups detained under immigration powers, while Carolynn Gallwey specialises in civil actions and complaints against the police. Jane Ryan focuses on discrimination claims, constitutional torts, and health and social care. Founding partner Mark Scott enjoys a strong international reputation in detention rights, and Shamik Dutta plays a leading role in key public inquiries. Michael Oswald champions individuals who have been subject to state misconduct, and Sophie Naftalin is considered ‘a trailblazer and a force to be reckoned with’ in the arena of violence against women and girls, while Charlotte Haworth Hird is ‘peerless’ in health and social care challenges. Colin Gregory has been hailed ‘a real star of the future’ in immigration detention and migrant rights work, and Raju Bhatt remains a key contact. Tony Murphy left the firm in October 2024.

Boasting a ‘unique pedigree’ in pioneering civil liberties work, Bindmans LLP is lauded for its strong credentials in immigration law, actions against the police and state, protests and freedom of assembly matters, inquests, inquiries, and victims’ rights in criminal trials. A reliable adviser for applications to the ECtHR, the team is engaged in a wide range of individual and group claims with high public interest and national impact. The esteemed John Halford, whose interests lie in judicial review litigation, heads up the general public law team, supported by ‘skilled tactician’ Alice Hardy, who joined the firm from Hodge Jones & Allen in June 2023, and acts for a wide variety of clients encompassing NGOs, environmental groups, and vulnerable individuals. Jules Carey demonstrates ‘creative flare’ in leading the actions against the police and state team, assisted by Anna Thwaites, whose ‘razor sharp legal mind’ is best deployed in high-profile and contentious inquests. On the criminal law front, Tayab Ali is active in human rights claims at both national and international level. Rachel Harger is a ‘formidable opponent’ in actions asserting the right to protests, while Shirin Marker acts prolifically in citizen deprivation appeals. Salima Budhani left the firm in April 2024.

With ‘unparalleled dedication and commitment to human rights issues’, Deighton Pierce Glynn is a hallmark in matters involving international human rights law and overseas human rights breaches. Routine work for the team includes representing families at complex inquests, advising victims of police misconduct, assisting individuals seeking release from detention under immigration powers, and providing specialist counsel to victims of modern slavery and human trafficking. Leadership of the team is split between Sarah Ricca, who is ‘passionate and absolutely committed’ in challenges to discriminatory police responses to domestic violence and policing of minoritised communities, and Jo Eggleton, an authority in Article 2 claims against the prison service. Jane Deighton is a trailblazer in race discrimination claims, while Bharine Kalsi ‘inspires real confidence’ in inquests and actions against the police and state. Polly Glynn focuses on Articles 3 and 8 challenges, Sue Willman demonstrates ‘meticulous attention to detail’ in strategic public and international human rights challenges, and Daniel Carey has played a pivotal role in seeking protection for vulnerable Afghan nationals. Ugo Hayter, Zubier Yazdani, and Sasha Rozansky are further key names for championing migrant rights and victims of trafficking, with Gus Silverman active in actions against the police.

Enjoying ‘one of the strongest reputations for civil liberties work’, Hodge Jones & Allen proves its mettle in claims against the police and state authorities, protest law matters, inquests, and public inquiries. A robust commitment to human rights inspires confidence in vulnerable individuals who have experienced tragic and distressing events, as well as those wrongfully arrested and mistreated while exercising their right to protest. The ‘superb’ Susie Labinjoh helms the practice, and is a familiar face in civil actions against the police and prison service. Jocelyn Cockburn excels in bereavement matters, including inquests, deaths in custody, and military claims involving national security concerns, and Sasha Barton is ‘exemplary’ in her pursuit of novel claims based on Articles 3, 5, and 8 infringements. The ‘intellectually formidable’ Cormac McDonough specialises in the representation of victims of maltreatment by the police and other state bodies. Maria O’Connell, who excels in civil liberties litigation, detention challenges, and prisoners’ rights, joined the team in October 2023 from Scott-Moncrieff & Associates Ltd. Alice Hardy left the firm in June 2023.

Practitioners at Leigh Day are ‘fearless in their mission to break new legal ground’, acting across a wide array of health and social care claims, inquests, inquiries, actions against the police and state, and judicial review proceedings. On the domestic front, the team represents individuals, NGOs, and charities, while the international and group litigation department focuses on holding big business and governments to account for injury, loss, and abuse. The latter is led jointly by Richard Meeran, a pioneer in claims against UK-domiciled multinationals, and Sapna Malik, who has built a reputation in landmark litigation against the state. Environment, immigration detention, and migrant rights specialist Jamie Beagent and privacy and data breaches expert Gene Matthews head up the human rights offering. Tessa Gregory, who has made waves in environmental litigation and matters of national security, Daniel Leader, who excels in complex multi-party claims, group actions, and torts, and Sean Humber, who focuses on privacy issues, prisoner rights, and discrimination, continue to be part of the firm’s vanguard of civil liberties defenders, as do prisons team head Benjamin Burrows and inquests lead Emma Jones. Andrew Lord, Kate Egerton, and Yvonne Kestler are further names to note.

Upholding the rights of victims of serious abuses of power by the police and other detaining authorities stands at the heart of Hickman & Rose’s ‘unwavering commitment to justice’, including challenging failures to discharge Articles 2 and 3 obligations. The team is also well versed in bringing alleged perpetrators of war crimes committed abroad to justice in the UK, and pursuing claims against the state to the ECtHR. Practice head Daniel Machover is recognised as ‘astute and a master of strategy’ in dealing with human rights abuses and failures in the criminal justice system, while Kate Maynard’s inquest law expertise is magnified by her ability to ‘build trust with clients in the most difficult of circumstances’. Stefano Ruis is ‘able to achieve fantastic results’ in challenging DBS disclosure and DBS barring decisions. Helen Stone is ‘very understanding of sensitive or possibly upsetting occasions’ and performs best in matters relating to deaths in police custody or prison.

Commended for its ‘breadth of expertise and experience’, Howard Kennedy LLP is best known for its mastery of media and human rights law in balancing the knife’s edge between free speech and privacy. The team focuses on high impact, precedent-setting cases, including advising international bodies, charities, and NGOs on the use and misuse of internet platforms, and visiting accountability on states non-compliant with basic human rights norms. The practice is overseen by Mark Stephens, whose ‘experience and aplomb’ is unmatched in the international sphere, frequently defending the freedom of expression and a range of other human rights before the ECtHR, the Privy Council, and the UN Human Rights Committee. Elizabeth Morley complements her work on the competing interests of Articles 8 and 10 with expertise on the right to a fair trial. Matthew Gill left the firm in July 2024.

Harnessing the strengths of its ‘clever, organised, and astute human rights lawyers’, Irwin Mitchell marries public law, health and social care, and civil liberties expertise to provide assistance with actions against the police, prison, and immigration authorities, as well as claims against healthcare, social services, and education providers. Individuals, charities, and NGOs alike rely on the team for in-depth knowledge of human rights and administrative law. Yogi Amin stands at the head of the practice, and deploys decades of experience in the breadth of public law and civil liberties work, with an emphasis on Court of Protection matters. Angela Jackman specialises in mental capacity, education, and human rights, while Fiona McGhie is proficient in actions against the police and local authorities. The ‘extremely experienced and knowledgeable’ Andrew Arthur excels in claimant police mandates, and the ‘highly personable’ Juliet Spender enjoys a strong reputation in both traditional civil liberties and cases against welfare authorities.

Boutique firm McCue Jury & Partners impresses with its ‘innovative and confident handling’ of novel human rights claims, victim-led group actions, and public-interest litigation. Public and private sector clients ranging from governments and international bodies to NGOs, corporations, and individuals find assurance in the team’s expert understanding of transitional justice and conflict resolution, and its undertaking of challenging cases against rogue regimes, human rights abusers, and terrorists and their sponsors. The stars of the operation are founding partners Jason McCue, who exercises his ‘mind like a corkscrew’ in the strategic use of lawfare to drive justice and societal change, and Matthew Jury, who is ‘determined and dedicated’ in advancing the rights of clients in domestic and multijurisdictional public-interest litigation. Jack Beeston is a ‘standout’ in victim-led group actions.

Recognised for its track record in ‘undertaking landmark cases in human rights’, particularly in the context of its pioneering Death Penalty Project, Simons Muirhead Burton engages in ‘outstanding, life changing, and life saving’ work providing free legal representation to individuals facing the death penalty around the world, as well as challenging the constitutionality of and campaigning for the abolition of capital punishment in retentionist countries. Saul Lehrfreund and Parvais Jabbar lead the charge, with the former ‘an enormously experienced and respected lawyer’ specialising in appeals before the Privy Council and in taking capital cases to international and regional bodies, and the latter ‘indefatigable in pursuit of his clients’ interests’, with a wealth of experience providing legal assistance to death row prisoners in Commonwealth countries. Killian Moran ‘brings intellectual curiosity and ability’ to criminal appellate work and constitutional litigation on behalf of prisoners in Caribbean States.

‘A willingness to take risks on behalf of their clients’ characterises Duncan Lewis Solicitors’ civil liberties and human rights practice, which shines in immigration judicial review cases and migrant rights. The ‘extremely determined’ Toufique Hossain leverages extensive experience in leading strategic litigation on behalf of asylum-seekers before every level of the judicial system, and in public inquiries, while James Packer is ‘deeply committed’ to securing clients’ best interests in complex immigration matters. Bahar Ata regularly represents those detained under immigration powers, and Pardeep Somel engages with a wide range of immigration, asylum, and unlawful detention issues.

Gold Jennings ‘punches way above its weight’ in migrant rights, police law, criminal justice, inquests and inquiries, supporting claimants in judicial review challenges and civil damages claims. Head of public law Clare Jennings is ‘a fierce fighter’ whose criminal justice and migrant rights expertise is channelled into challenges targeting high-level policy change, while Matthew Gold ‘throws himself into every case’ in leading civil actions against public authorities. The arrival of Salima Budhani in May 2024 from Bindmans LLP to direct the newly formed department for civil actions against the Home Office sees an expansion of the firm’s strategic public law litigation services.

Members of the civil liberties team at boutique firm ITN Solicitors ‘work particularly well on cases that cover many different specialisms’, with a distinguished record in national security matters, policing and protest regulations, and prisoners’ rights. The department is managed by William Kenyon, who ‘is always a step or two ahead of anyone else’ in detention matters, proving a valuable resource for British citizens detained overseas. Kate Hallam is ‘a truly formidable force’ in protest-related actions against the police, and is also active in inquests and judicial reviews.

The human rights team at Saunders Law demonstrates ‘compassion, understanding, and a commitment to advocate for justice’ in holding prosecuting and detaining authorities to account for injustices experienced by vulnerable individuals and groups, including victims of high-profile tragedies, families of those who have died in custody, and prisoners. Founding partner Nia Williams steers the practice, ‘calm, cool, and collected’ in leading judicial reviews, inquiries, inquests, and civil claims against the police and prisons, while head of public inquiries Cyrilia Knight impresses with her ability to ‘makes things happen’. Deputy head of human rights Clare Evans specialises in actions against the police and inquests, and Jag Bahra ‘has detailed knowledge of the law’ relating to matters involving police violence and discrimination.

Simpson Millar LLP is skilled in HRA and ECHR claims, actions against public authorities, inquests, and matters involving victims of trafficking, children, and vulnerable young adults. Victoria Pogge von Strandmann heads the public law and human rights team, and is ‘committed, through, and collaborative’ in public law challenges concerning children’s and migrants’ rights. Dan Rosenberg, who demonstrates ‘an extraordinary capacity to represent the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach children and young people’, leads the education and children’s rights team alongside Sarah Woosey, who specialises in education law and social care issues. Chris Callender left the firm in October 2023.

‘Delivering for clients the highest standard of work’, Wilson Solicitors LLP regularly brings significant public interest test cases challenging the actions of public bodies, acting in judicial review applications, unlawful detention matters, social care issues, and police failures to protect victims of modern slavery. The practice is led jointly by Nina Rathbone Pullen, who is sought after for her expertise in human trafficking and unlawful detention cases, and Katy Robinson, who is seasoned in community care and migrants’ rights. Managing partner James Elliott is considered ‘the bible on unlawful detention’, while Nusrat Uddin has led pioneering supply chain forced labour claims, and Jed Pennington offers ‘incredible knowledge’ in immigration detention challenges.

Carving out a niche at the intersection of civil liberties and AI, tech, data protection, and privacy, AWO is ‘the top choice for NGOs on novel tech and data cases that engage rights and liberties’, as well as international organisations, governments, and individuals seeking assistance with issues involving developing tech. Founding partner Ravi Naik’s ‘reputation speaks for itself’ in pivotal legal debates concerning emerging digital tech and data, including mass collection of individuals’ data, facial recognition tech, and the development of smart cities.

Hogan Lovells International LLP pursues significant civil liberties and human rights claims with ‘vigour and persistence’, including using UN special procedures and thematic mechanisms, and providing representation before regional human rights bodies and constitutional courts.  The team is brought together under the leadership of the ‘passionate, inquisitive, and dedicated’ Yasmin Waljee, who focuses on victims and reparations work with particular emphasis on death penalties, human trafficking, and sexual violence. Helen Boniface secures difficult wins in complex inquests and public inquiries look ‘effortless’.

In the wake of several high-profile public inquiries, Hudgell Solicitors ‘is emerging as a competitor’ in challenging the failings of state bodies and institutions, undertaking judicial review claims, and representing bereaved families in inquests. Executive chairman Neil Hudgell regularly handles inquiries and inquests of national significance, while head of civil liberties Vicky Richardson excels in cases involving police assault, unlawful arrest, and breaches of data protection laws. Terry Wilcox manages the public inquiries team, and Leanne Windass specialises in actions against the police.

Operating primarily within the sphere of human rights and environmental justice, Pogust Goodhead ‘embraces the opportunity to take on precedent-setting litigation’, with particular expertise in group claims originating in Brazil. Tom Goodhead leads high-profile collective actions against major international companies, while Céline Barnwell specialises in complex cross-border litigation and arbitration, and Jeremy Evans focuses on violations in Brazil. Christopher Neill has played a leading role in the NOx emissions cases, Tom Ainsworth excels in environmental litigation, and Guy Robson is highly experienced in collective redress litigation.

Well-versed in ‘large-scale, important human rights litigation’, Sinclairslaw is routinely engaged in challenges against public authorities, inquests, and HRA claims. Practice head Helen Gill acts for individuals and groups in judicial review processes concerning education law, community care, and public and administrative law. Paul Conrathe ‘has an unparalleled record’ in championing individual rights and in advancing the disability agenda, while Chris Callender joined the firm in October 2023 from Simpson Millar LLP to build team’s civil claims and inquest service. Louise Eardley left in July 2023.