Bindmans LLP houses ‘an outstanding admin and public law team with exceptional practitioners covering a full range of public law issues’. The practice is headed by John Halford, who is highly recommended for his skills in judicial review and public law challenges. Paul Ridge is ‘a great lawyer with huge knowledge of inquiries’, while the ‘outstanding’ Emma Varley is noted for her experience acting for children in education-related judicial reviews. Shirin Marker and Jessie Brennan are further standout members of the team. Marker regularly acts for victims of trafficking and age-disputed minors, while Brennan has experience with immigration detention cases. The team has been strengthened with the addition of Alice Hardy, who joined from Hodge Jones & Allen in June 2023. Hardy has particular expertise in matters relating to women’s rights and protest law. Nancy Collins joined the firm from Hodge Jones & Allen in September 2024. Salima Budhani left the firm in May 2024

The public law and human rights practice at Deighton Pierce Glynn is headed by Adam Hundt in Bristol, who regularly works with NGOs and campaign groups. Hundt is also skilled with healthcare judicial reviews, especially concerning healthcare matters relating to immigration detention centres and prisons. Polly Glynn is ‘an exceptional solicitor with a thorough understanding of administrative and public law’, while Daniel Carey has expertise in cases relating to foreign policy and national security. Praised for being ‘tenacious’ and ‘well-versed in judicial review’, Sasha Rozansky is another recommended member of the team. Connie Sozi and Ahmed Ali are also noted for their experience in the public law sector. Sozi advises claimants on a broad range of judicial reviews, including matters involving unlawful detention and denial of British citizenship. Ali has experience assisting clients with both judicial reviews and civil damages claims against the state.

Fieldfisher stands out for its ‘superb strength and depth in the field of inquests and inquiries’. In addition to this, the team also has experience advising on legislative drafting as well as bringing and defending judicial review claims. The practice is co-headed by Martin Smith and Matthew Lohn. Lohn advises both regulators and commercial clients across a variety of sectors, including environmental, financial, electoral, and healthcare. Smith is particularly skilled with public inquiries, such as the Dawn Sturgess Inquiry and the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. The wider team also has a depth of experience with high-profile inquests and inquiries, which includes Tim Suter and Oliver Carlyon. Frankie Everitt is also noted for her assistance with some of the firm's most prominent cases.

The ‘extremely strong public law practice’ at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is headed by Andrew Lidbetter and Nusrat Zar. Praised for his ‘excellent strategic judgement in litigation’, Lidbetter has extensive experience handling contentious public law matters, such as judicial reviews, regulatory disputes, and statutory appeals. Zar regularly advises claimants, defendants, and interveners across a variety of sectors, including telecoms, energy, competition, and financial services; she is also recommended for her expertise with public procurement matters. James Wood has broad capabilities that encompass judicial review, public inquiries, and policy work. Hannah Lau and Christine Iacono are also key lawyers in the team. Lau is noted for her skill with freedom of information matters, while Iacono has experience advising on matters within the planning and environment sectors.

The ‘outstanding’ public law team at Kingsley Napley LLP is spearheaded by Sophie Kemp, who regularly advises individuals, charities, and institutions on public inquiries and inquests. The ‘highly intelligent’ Nick Wrightson is recommended for his skills handling commercial and regulatory reviews. The team has been strengthened by the addition of Harry Carter and Natalie Cohen in January 2024. With more than three decades of experience as a government lawyer, Carter has extensive expertise in advising on public inquiries, such as the Grenfell Inquiry, the Covid-19 Inquiry, and the Infected Blood Inquiry. Cohen joins the team after gaining significant experience as a litigator for the government; her broad capabilities extend to judicial reviews, inquests, and human rights challenges. Adam Chapman retired in April 2024.

With its ‘incredible depth of ability and knowledge’, Leigh Day continues to be a go-to firm for claimants needing advice on judicial reviews, especially cases relating to vulnerable clients. The team regularly acts for charities, individuals, and NGOs. Praised for her ‘fantastic knowledge of administrative law’, Tessa Gregory is well regarded for her capabilities in human rights and environmental cases; she is particularly noted for her experience with high-profile asylum seeker cases. Stephanie Hill is a key contact within the Manchester office, where the firm has a growing presence for its work with human rights. Hill has experience advising on migrant rights, including cases relating to asylum support accommodation. The practice is headed by Jamie Beagent.

With a strong presence in Manchester and Leeds, Addleshaw Goddard houses an ‘outstanding public law practice’ that regularly advises on commercial judicial reviews. The team often acts for clients across a variety of sectors with a particular strength in energy and transport. Louise Dobson handles a variety of public law disputes, which includes judicial reviews and public procurement challenges. Erin Shoesmith is recommended for her experience advising clients on public inquiries, including the Grenfell Inquiry, the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, and the Manchester Arena Inquiry. Paul Rowley and Ryan Geldart are also core members of the team, both of whom are skilled with public procurement matters. The team is co-headed by Mark Molyneux, Bill Gilliam, and Simon Kamstra.

Baker McKenzie has a broad practice that encompasses ESG-related litigation, commercial judicial review, public inquiries, and freedom of information matters. The team is led by the ‘incomparable’ Joanna Ludlam, who has a wealth of experience advising clients on a wide range of public law matters, including compliance initiatives, public procurement, and multijurisdictional government investigations. Yindi Gesinde is skilled at handling investigations; she also has experience acting on cases relating to child protection. Francesca Richmond frequently advises on regulatory investigations. William Jones and Joanne Redmond are noted for their capabilities with judicial reviews and public procurement work.

Its members praised as ‘premier public law specialists’, Bevan Brittan LLP has a wealth of experience advising authorities on governance and public law matters. The practice is led by the ‘outstanding’ Virginia Cooper, who is recommended for her capabilities within the financial services sector where she advises clients such as the Financial Conduct Authority. Olivia Carter frequently acts for local authorities in complex judicial review challenges; she also has experience assisting the NHS with policy issues. The team has been strengthened by the addition of Amrita Hurst, who joined from Bates Wells in July 2023. Hurst is skilled in handling matters relating to healthcare, education, and social care. Melanie Carter left the firm in June 2024.

Clifford Chance LLP handles a range of public law issues relating to government engagement, corporate transactions, and judicial reviews regarding polices affecting regulated sectors. The team caters to clients who operate across various industries, such as energy, infrastructure, healthcare, and TMT. The practice led by Samantha Ward, who has in-depth experience with commercial judicial reviews. Oliver Carroll is another notable lawyer in the team, who handles both contentious and non-contentious public law matters. Elizabeth Morony retired from the practice in October 2023.

Duncan Lewis Solicitors houses a large judicial review practice that focusses on representing claimants on areas of immigration, human rights, and civil liberties. The team is especially recommended for unlawful detention and unsuitable accommodation cases. With more than two decades of experience in the field, Toufique Hossain stands out for his skill with handling high-profile judicial reviews; most notably, he secured a victory in the Supreme Court case relating to the Rwanda Litigation. Ahmed Aydeed and James Packer are also prominent members of the team. Aydeed has experience challenging policies involving victims of slavery and human trafficking. Packer has broad capabilities handling cases in the Administrative Courts, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court. The practice regularly advises asylum-seekers, refugees, and individuals facing deportation.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP houses an ‘outstanding’ public inquiry team that has extensive capabilities acting for core participants and interested parties in major inquiries. Some of the team’s experience includes the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the Infected Blood Inquiry, and the Post Office Horizon Inquiry. Spearheading the team in Birmingham, Sarah Jones has had a specialism in public inquiries for nearly two decades; she has recently been involved with the Sabina Rizvi Inquest. Considered by clients to be ‘one of the best public inquiries practitioners around’, Isabelle Mitchell is another recommended lawyer in the team. Piers Doggart is a ‘highly experienced inquiry lawyer’, who is skilled with conducting independent reviews and investigations. Huw Jones leads the team in Cardiff, while Kuljeet Gill heads the practice in Manchester.

Described as ‘a brilliant law firm’, Gold Jennings specialises in acting for claimants in relation to migrant rights, criminal justice reviews, and community care judicial reviews. Clare Jennings and Matthew Gold head the practice; Jennings has a wealth of experience bringing challenges against the state across a variety of cases, while Gold focuses on handling matters involving prisons and the police. In particular, Gold boasts experience in acting for victims of miscarriages of justice, such as the Birmingham Six and the Guildford Four. They are joined by Salima Budhani, who transferred from Bindmans LLP in May 2024. Budhani has significant capabilities advising on immigration matters and regularly acts for children, asylum seekers, and vulnerable individuals.

Mishcon de Reya LLP handles a range of judicial reviews for both commercial and individual clients. In addition to this, the team also advises on political disputes, including issues relating to campaign financing. Leading the practice, Katy Colton is experienced at advising politicians, charities, and corporations on complex political matters. Managing partner James Libson has extensive litigation skills, who has acted for clients such as Deborah Lipstadt and Gina Miller. Further standout members of the team include Emily Nicholson, Harry Eccles-Williams, and Alexandra Agnew. Nicholson regularly advises on commercial cases as well as conducting political litigation. Eccles-Williams is a go-to lawyer for queries regarding the Online Safety Act, while Agnew is noted for her experience with both political and public law matters.

The ‘excellent’ public and regulatory law department at Bates Wells is led by Matthew Smith, who has more than three decades of experience in his field, including judicial reviews, statutory appeals, and public inquires. Noted for his expertise relating to advertising regulations, Rupert Earle is another seasoned member of the team. Amrita Hurst, Alistair Williams, and Claire Whittle left the firm in July 2023, November 2023, and January 2024 respectively, while Eloise Carey and Natasha Davies joined the team, Carey from Hodge Jones & Allen in September 2023, and Davies in March 2024 from Linklaters LLP.

Due to its established parliamentary agency practice, BDB Pitmans is experienced in handling advisory and legislative work for government departments. The team also has a particular strength with matters relating to planning and infrastructure. Spearheading the practice, David Mundy specialises in constitutional issues, statutory powers, and regulatory matters. Described as a ‘superb lawyer’, Richard Langley has more than three decades of experience conducting litigation in both the commercial and the public spheres. Katie Smith and Olivia Peake are also noted for their skills with contentious public law matters, including statutory appeals and judicial reviews.

Bhatt Murphy stands out for its expertise in the rights of prisoners and actions brought against the police with key lawyers in the team including Mark Scott, Shamik Dutta, and Michael Oswald. Scott has extensive experience conducting inquests into deaths that have happened in prison and police custody. Dutta is recommended for his strong capabilities in bringing claims against the police and Home Office relating to false imprisonment, race discrimination, and assault. Oswald specialises in matters concerning police misconduct, including judicial reviews, public inquests, and civil claims. Described as ‘an excellent solicitor’, Janet Farrell focusses on protecting the rights of migrants and challenges curfew obligations and failure to access free healthcare through the NHS. Colin Gregory is another integral member of the team with substantial experience acting for victims of trafficking.

DAC Beachcroft LLP houses a ‘brilliant team with specialisms in the NHS and public procurement’. Heading the team, Alistair Robertson is recommended for his expertise in handling matters within the healthcare sector. Robertson regularly conducts judicial reviews; one of his key clients is the NHS, who he advises regarding the Covid-19 inquiry. Darryn Hale is skilled with assisting clients within the public sector on all aspects of data protection. Priyesh Patel stands out for his depth of experience with public inquiries, including the Post Office Inquiry and the Grenfell Inquiry.

With Emma Dowden-Teale leading the practice, DLA Piper continues to strengthen its place in the market as a go-to firm for a range of public law matters, including judicial review, public procurement challenges, and public inquiries. The team has expanded to include Claire Whittle and Harry Campbell, who joined from Bates Wells in November 2023 and January 2024 respectively. In particular, Whittle is recommended for her notable capabilities in both contentious and non-contentious public law matters. George McLellan left the firm in February 2024.

Praised as ‘outstanding’, ‘remarkable’, and ‘tenacious’, Hickman & Rose is a go-to firm for individuals and organisations seeking to challenge decisions within the criminal justice system. Heading the team, Daniel Machover is highly skilled with public inquiries and inquests; he also has notable experience in acting for victims of miscarriages of justice. Kate Maynard focuses on cases concerning abuse of power by the police, while Helen Stone has experience with inquests investigating deaths that occur while in custody. Ellie Cornish is also noted for her capabilities in challenging decisions made by the police and CPS.

Hodge Jones & Allen has expertise in challenging public bodies through judicial review, civil litigation, and complaint procedures. The team regularly handles cases concerning failures by the police to investigate crimes and adequately protect victims of sexual violence. The practice is headed by Susie Labinjoh, who is recommended for her skill in handling compensation claims for victims of miscarriages of justice. Maria O’Connell joined the team from Scott-Moncrieff & Associates Ltd in October 2023; she has experience advising on inquests into deaths involving prisons and the police. Alice Hardy left the firm in May 2023.

Offering ‘an excellent range of public law and human rights solicitors’, Irwin Mitchell regularly acts for clients in judicial reviews, human rights cases, and public inquests. Leading the team in Sheffield, Yogi Amin has broad capabilities which extend to procurement disputes, human rights law, and challenges relating to the police. Further to this, Amin is also skilled with judicial reviews relating to social care and the NHS. Located in the London office, Oliver Carter frequently advises charities, campaign groups, and individuals regarding policy challenges.

Linklaters LLP regularly acts for both businesses and public bodies in complex commercial judicial reviews. Further to this, the team is also strong on procurement challenges. The highly experienced Tom Cassels focusses on high-stakes public and competition disputes. Cassels heads the team alongside Alison Wilson, who focusses on contentious financial regulation matters. Alexander Fawke is another prominent member of the team, who frequently handles disputes involving the government, including judicial reviews of government decisions and economic regulations. Fawke has experience advising clients across different sectors, such as energy, transport, and telecoms.

Osbornes has a particular strength in handling social housing challenges with a focus on homelessness and assisting children with disabilities. In addition to this, the team regularly handles community care judicial reviews. Described as ‘an outstanding public law solicitor’, Edward Taylor has experience acting for asylum-seeking minors in judicial reviews challenging age assessments; Alex McMahon is another recommended lawyer, who also specialises in complex age dispute cases. The practice is headed by William Ford.

With its strong claimant practice, Simpson Millar LLP houses a team that is ‘dedicated to representing the most vulnerable and marginalised in society’. The public law and human rights team is led by the ‘outstanding’ Victoria Pogge Von Strandmann. The education and children rights practice is headed by Sarah Woosey and Dan Rosenberg. Catherine Hegarty is also recommended for her skill with handling sensitive cases involving vulnerable individuals and victims of human trafficking. Chris Callender left the firm in October 2023.

A&O Shearman frequently acts for clients in commercial judicial reviews and contentious public procurement cases. The team also has experience with novel challenges relating to ESG litigation and public law challenges relating to AI. Andrew Denny leads the practice. Maeve Hanna is also a key member of the team, who regularly advises corporate, public bodies, and charities on a variety of public law matters.

CMS has extensive experience advising clients on commercial and public law disputes, particularly within the energy and media sectors. Leading the team, Dan Tench has an in-depth knowledge of competition and media law, which he combines with his aptitude for complex judicial review cases. Tamsin Blow is a further standout lawyer with experience handling matters for clients within the gambling sector.

Dentons has a broad range of capabilities that extends to public procurement, judicial review, and competitive tendering. The team is headed by Christopher McGee-Osborne and Catherine Bingham. McGee-Osborne has extensive experience advising on policy and regulatory reforms, while Bingham has an expertise in infrastructure projects and procurement processes. The team is strengthened by Jeremy Easton, who joined the firm in March 2023. Having worked as a government lawyer for more than a decade, Easton is especially skilled with matters in the energy sector.

The ‘very knowledgeable and experienced’ team at Rook Irwin Sweeney LLP is co-headed by Alex Rook, Anne-Marie Irwin, and Polly Sweeney. Rook regularly handles judicial reviews for charities, companies, and individuals. Irwin has broad experience that encompasses health and social care as well as environmental law matters, while Sweeney is skilled with cases relating to the rights of children.

Russell-Cooke LLP advises on a broad range of public law matters, including judicial review, statutory appeals, and public inquiries. John Gould heads the practice. Praised as ‘a seasoned and very intelligent solicitor’, Gould often advises public bodies on revisions to legislation. Lui Asquith focuses on human right cases, discrimination claims, and government policy. Michael Stacey is also noted for his experience advising on both contentious and non-contentious public law matters.

Saunders Law has a strong public inquiry team, which is headed by Cyrilia Davies-Knight. Her experience includes the Undercover Police Inquiry and the Covid-19 Inquiry; she has also been involved with inquests into the Hillsborough Disaster and the fatal shooting of Mark Duggan. Nia Williams leads the human rights practice along with the support of Clare Evans, both of whom are skilled with bringing actions against the police.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP is noted for its strength in procurement disputes. In addition to this, the team handles a variety of contentious and non-contentious public law, judicial reviews, statutory appeals, planning challenges, and advisory work for local authorities. The team is particularly strong with procurement disputes. Scott Dorling heads the public sector practice, while Lucy James leads the commercial litigation team.

Wilson Solicitors LLP is a claimant-focused practice that regularly acts for children, individuals with disabilities, and victims of trafficking. The team is co-led by Nina Rathbone Pullen and Katy Robinson. Pullen focusses on cases relating to human trafficking and unlawful detention, while Robinson advises on migrant rights. Jed Pennington is recommended for his capabilities with judicial reviews concerning unlawful treatment within the immigration system.

Blake Morgan LLP has a strong team located in Wales, which is headed by Eve Piffaretti. With her in-depth knowledge of health and social care, Piffaretti has extensive experience advising the NHS and the Welsh Government. David Hill, Bruce Potter, and Penny Rinta-Suski co-led the practice in Reading. Both Hill and Potter are experts in handling matters in the healthcare sector, while Rinta-Suski is skilled with large procurement projects.

Browne Jacobson LLP has strengthened its position in the Welsh market with the establishment of its Cardiff office as of July 2023. With his previous experience working as an in-house lawyer for the Welsh government, Tim Edds is a key contact within the new office; he regularly defends government departments and public bodies in judicial reviews. The practice in Nottingham is headed by Laura Hughes, while Gerard Hanratty leads the healthcare-focused public law team in Manchester.

Capsticks LLP stands out for its healthcare sector expertise and regularly defends public bodies in litigation. The team handles both contentious and non-contentious work, including judicial reviews, public inquiries, patient safety reviews, and reviewing constitutions of public authorities. Peter Edwards leads the team in London, while Ian Cooper heads the practice in Leeds, both of whom regularly advise the NHS.

The ‘highly experienced and knowledgeable’ team at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher is led by Patrick Doris. The team regularly advises clients such as NGOs, public authorities, and corporates. Described as ‘an outstanding litigator’, Doris is recommended for his experience handling commercial judicial reviews. Robert Spano is another prominent member of the team who has an in-depth understanding of public international law and human rights.

With a focus on the healthcare sector, Hill Dickinson LLP houses teams in London, Liverpool, Manchester, and Leeds. Practice head Kiran Bhogal has more than three decades of experience that encompasses judicial reviews, inquests, Court of Protection matters, and advisory work. Leading the team in Liverpool, Emma Stockwell has advised clients on the Infected Blood Inquiry and the Morecambe Bay Investigation.

Pinsent Masons LLP handles a breadth of public law matters from public inquiries to judicial reviews and public procurement work. The team is experienced with advising government departments on regulatory reforms. Robbie Owen leads the team, and as a parliamentary agent, he regularly assists with policy development and infrastructure planning matters. David Thorneloe is another recommended member of the team, who has more than two decades of experience within the public law sector.

Sharpe Pritchard LLP has recently strengthened their commercial public law offering with the addition of Jonathan Blunden and George McLellan from DLA Piper, who joined the firm in July 2023 and February 2024 respectively. McLellan is experienced at advising companies seeking to challenge regulatory decisions, while Blunden is noted for his capabilities with judicial reviews and procurement litigation. The team is led by Alastair Lewis, who focuses on infrastructure schemes and planning matters.

Praised as a ‘powerhouse’ and ‘one of the leading public lawyers of her generation’, Zaqia Rashid leads the team at TLT. Rashid has extensive experience with public inquiries, which includes the Post Office Inquiry, the Brook House Inquiry, and the Magnox Inquiry. Catherine Turtle is another recommended member of the team, who handles both statutory and non-statutory inquires and reviews.

TV Edwards Solicitors LLP has a strength in social welfare and social housing matters, including asylum support cases, homelessness judicial reviews, and failures to provide suitable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. Heading the team, Katie Brown has experience with community care matters and regularly assists clients with obtaining support from local authorities. Monica Kreel is also noted for her capabilities with Court of Protection applications in order to challenge welfare decisions.

Weightmans LLP houses a capable public inquiry team that has experience with the Covid-19 Inquiry, the Thirlwall Inquiry, and the Undercover Police Inquiry. The practice is led by Martin English in Liverpool. Also located in Liverpool, Jessica Swift is ‘an exceptional advocate’, who focusses on the healthcare sector. Swift provides support to healthcare professional throughout the inquest process. Based in Birmingham, Henry Bermingham has more than two decades of experience advising public bodies on a range of matters.

Anthony Gold Solicitors LLP possesses expertise in the social housing sector. The team has in-depth experience challenging the decisions of local authorities through judicial and statutory reviews. Andrew Brookes heads the practice. Giles Peaker is another seasoned member of the team, who has recently advised on a case exploring the extent of the local authority’s obligation to secure suitable accommodation for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Burges Salmon LLP houses ‘a friendly and experienced’ public law team based in Bristol. The practice is co-headed by Gary Soloman and John Houlden. Solomon is skilled with planning statutory challenges, while Houlden specialises in procurement matters. Brian Wong is recommended for contentious matters in the transport sector. Charlotte Whitaker is a further standout lawyer, who has notable experience with public inquiries and inquests.

ITN Solicitors houses a claimant-focused practice with a specialism in national security cases, prisoner rights, actions against the police, and inquests into deaths of individuals in custody. Spearheading the team, William Kenyon has an in-depth understanding of prison law and regularly handles judicial reviews relating to the criminal justice system. Lochlinn Parker left the firm in May 2023.

Stephenson Harwood regularly acts for public bodies such as the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission and the United Kingdom Accreditation Service. The regulatory litigation practice is headed by Sean Jeffrey, who specialises in advising financial institutions on FCA enforcement proceedings. The team also possesses cross-border capabilities with judicial review cases relating to sanctions.