Bhatt Murphy is widely respected for its expertise in police and prison law, immigration detention, and matters involving the security services. The firm has been at the forefront of many of the most high-profile civil liberties cases both in the UK and internationally, representing clients at all levels of the legal system, including before the European Court of Human Rights. Sophie Naftalin has experience in all aspects of litigation related to the criminal justice system, with a particular focus on representing bereaved families during inquest proceedings, while Janet Farrell is dedicated to advocating for the rights of vulnerable individuals, including children, women, and immigration detainees. Carolynn Gallwey is a prominent figure in civil actions and police complaints; Mark Scott brings significant experience in both private and public law claims against the state; and Jane Ryan is well-versed in handling complex investigations into discrimination, health, and social care claims, including in cases of the misuse of handcuffs on pregnant women during medical examinations and labour. Founding partner Raju Bhatt remains closely involved with the team, specialising in the treatment of individuals by the criminal justice system.

Deighton Pierce Glynn is well-regarded for its work in international human rights law, including litigation in supra-national courts, efforts to aid individuals left behind in Afghanistan with evacuation to the UK, and advice on the use of corporate governance tools, such as OECD complaints, to address human rights abuses linked to corporate activity abroad. Team lead Jo Eggleton is known for her work challenging police misconduct, particularly where racial discrimination is involved. Jane Deighton contributes significantly to this area through her representation of victims of racially motivated policing practices. Polly Glynn focuses on public law matters, including challenges to inadequate accommodation and support for Afghans under ‘Operation Warm Welcome’, while Sue Willman specialises in work relating to allegations of torture. Sasha Rozansky stands out in the area of migrant rights, successfully challenging Home Office policies. Gus Silverman leads the police accountability team in Bristol and brings extensive experience to the firm’s civil liberties practice.

Hickman & Rose provides high-quality criminal defence representation and acts for victims of serious abuses of power by police and other authorities. The practice also handles universal jurisdiction cases, including bringing alleged perpetrators of war crimes abroad to trial in the UK. Daniel Machover leads the practice, specialising in human rights cases in the criminal justice system, including deaths in custody and failures to protect inmates. He is supported by Kate Maynard, who is a leading inquest law expert focusing on deaths and serious injuries in prison and immigration settings, particularly those involving tasers, police restraint, and use of force; and Helen Stone, who handles inquests, civil claims, and complaints against the police. Ellie Cornish is noted for matters including allegations of discriminatory police actions and decisions.

Hodge Jones & Allen challenges the actions of police forces, the Prison Service, the Crown Prosecution Service, and immigration detention centres through judicial reviews, formal complaints, and civil litigation, responding to national tragedies such as the Grenfell Tower fire and holding the State accountable for failing to protect vulnerable people from the health impacts of toxic air pollution. Team leader Susie Labinjoh is highly experienced in civil actions against the police and prison service, and she regularly represents individuals in political protest cases involving claims against the police. She is supported by Jocelyn Cockburn, an expert in actions against the police, who also represents bereaved families at inquests, brings civil claims related to deaths in custody, and pursues claims involving the military.

Leigh Day represents a broad range of NGOs, charities, and individuals in complex and high-profile domestic civil liberties and human rights cases. The human rights department, jointly led by Sapna Malik and Richard Meeran, handles private and public law matters involving health and social care, inquests, abuse and exploitation, privacy and data breaches, and discrimination-related claims, while the international & group litigation department, co-led by Jamie Beagent and Gene Matthews, acts against corporations and governments responsible for alleged injury, loss, and abuse. Malik brings extensive litigation experience with a notable focus on international personal injury and human rights claims. Meeran is well-regarded for his work on landmark cases against UK-domiciled multinational corporations. Beagent focuses on environmental litigation as well as the detention and welfare of immigrants and asylum seekers, while Matthews specialises in data protection claims, particularly group and multi-party actions. Sean Humber is a name to note in relation to data privacy claims, specifically those involving unauthorised disclosure of confidential medical or other personal information. Daniel Leader handles group action and mass tort claims, while Andrew Lord represents survivors of abuse in compensation-related civil claims.

McCue Jury & Partners represents survivors and victims, and is a trusted adviser to governments, international organisations, NGOs, and high-profile individuals, including philanthropists and campaigners, drawing on its expertise in human rights and litigation, as well as in the representation of political prisoners. The practice is jointly led by Jason McCue and Matthew Jury. McCue specialises in the areas of environmental protection, human rights, and governance. Jury focuses on public-interest litigation and both domestic and international human rights and humanitarian law, currently representing alleged victims of rape and sexual assault and continuing to act for families of British soldiers killed in the Second Iraq War. They are supported by Jack Beeston and Oliver Troen, who play a key role in developing many of the firm’s cases.

Howard Kennedy LLP advises media entities, individuals, government bodies, and NGOs on a wide range of matters, with a strong focus on freedom of expression matters and human rights issues. Leveraging its combined expertise in media and human rights law, the team stands out for its work at the intersection of free speech and privacy. Team head Mark Stephens is an expert in international media law, representing clients in UK and global courts, including the Privy Council. Elizabeth Morley focuses on matters concerning privacy and freedom of expression.

Irwin Mitchell advises on a wide range of human rights issues, with specialists handling cases involving the police, prison services, and immigration authorities. With expertise that bridges both civil liberties and health and social welfare law, the firm is well positioned to bring claims under the Human Rights Act against providers of healthcare, social services, and education. Team leader Yogi Amin brings extensive experience with a focus on medical ethics, access to NHS care, mental capacity, and the protection of vulnerable adults. Fiona McGhie is also a key figure, particularly known for her work on claims involving police forces and local authorities.

Simons Muirhead Burton handles a high volume of work concerning the human rights of those at risk of capital punishment, and the team has successfully challenged the constitutionality of the mandatory death penalty in several countries. Saul Lehrfreund and Parvais Jabbar, the co-founders and team leaders, specialise in appellate advocacy before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, particularly in cases involving individuals sentenced to death. The team also has extensive experience litigating capital cases before international bodies, including the Inter-American Commission and Court of Human Rights, as well as the United Nations Human Rights Committee. Lehrfreund has extensive experience in assisting lawyers representing prisoners facing capital punishment in Commonwealth countries.

BCL Solicitors LLP represents high-profile politicians, political parties, journalists, and businessmen in complex international human rights cases, including extradition and Interpol matters, involving jurisdictions such as Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Nigeria, the UAE, and Iran. Shaul Brazil leads the team, with a focus on politically motivated cases, bad faith prosecutions, and matters related to abuses of process; Brazil has appeared in several proceedings before the European Court of Human Rights. He is ably supported by the ‘very hard-working’ Aleksandra Kardas, who brings experience in complex cross-border investigations, extradition matters, and Interpol applications for the removal of red notices and diffusions.

Duncan Lewis Solicitors handles high-profile civil liberties and human rights cases as well as judicial reviews, with particular expertise in immigration-related challenges involving human rights breaches in removal and deportation, unlawful detention, inquests into immigration accommodation conditions, civil liberties protection, and costs litigation. Toufique Hossain focuses on acting for individuals and organisations challenging executive decisions, policies, and practices. Another key member is James Packer, who is known for his success in challenging legal aid regulations and high-profile detention cases.

Gold Jennings is regularly instructed to act for disadvantaged and marginalised individuals and groups in cases involving state wrongdoing. This includes pursuing damages for children abused while in local authority care, challenging failures to support disabled children and adults, and bringing claims against the police for racial discrimination, false imprisonment, and assault. Leading the firm's civil action against public authorities practice, Matthew Gold is well-versed in claims for wrongful arrests, false imprisonment, and malicious prosecution. Clare Jennings, Salima Budhani, and Rachel Etheridge co-lead the public law and human rights practice, focusing on strategic litigation, particularly in the areas of migrant rights and judicial reviews within the criminal justice system.

ITN Solicitors specialises in complex human rights litigation, with expertise spanning the right to protest issues, judicial reviews, inquests, and prison law matters. The practice is led by William Kenyon, who has particular expertise in detention-related cases. He is supported by Kate Hallam, who focuses primarily on actions against the police and defending the right to protest, and Johanna McDavitt, who is noted for her work challenging the lawfulness of police conduct during arrests and investigations.

Saunders Law is recognised for its high-profile work holding authorities accountable through civil claims, inquests, and related legal challenges against prosecuting and detaining bodies such as the police, prisons, and the CPS. The ‘standout’ Nia Williams leads on public law challenges, including judicial reviews, inquiries, inquests, and civil claims. Clare Evans regularly acts for vulnerable clients, while Jag Bahra has particular expertise in cases involving police violence, discrimination, and the misuse of state and police powers.

Simpson Millar LLP has extensive experience across a wide spectrum of public law matters, including judicial reviews in areas such as community care, children’s rights, and education; claims against public authorities involving Human Rights Act breaches; inquest representation; and Court of Protection work. The practice is led by Shalini Patel, who brings extensive experience advocating for vulnerable individuals, including victims of trafficking and asylum seekers.

Wilson Solicitors LLP represents individuals and NGOs in strategic challenges against public bodies, with a strong focus on defending the rights of refugees, victims of trafficking and torture, children, vulnerable families, disabled individuals, and those with mental health conditions. Jed Pennington and Nusrat Uddin jointly lead the practice, with the former specialising in judicial reviews challenging hostile government policies affecting refugees, and the latter focusing on civil claims brought by victims of human trafficking and modern slavery against their exploiters.

Led by Ravi Naik, AWO’s practice represents clients in high-profile data rights cases, with a strong focus on AI, tech, data protection, and privacy. Naik has extensive expertise in digital rights and emerging tech matters. He is supported by Alex Lawrence-Archer, who handles matters concerning government surveillance of online speech as well as advises on UK information and AI law reforms, and Lucie Audibert, who is instructed by EU policymakers and international bodies to advise on AI, surveillance, data protection, and business and human rights.

The ‘efficient’ and ‘diligent’ team at Hudgell Solicitors is known for acting against state bodies and institutions in high-profile public inquiries. Neil Hudgell has played a leading role in nationally significant cases. Vicky Richardson brings extensive experience securing compensation for victims of police misconduct and data breaches. Described as ‘insightful’ by clients, Terry Wilcox has significant experience representing individuals and families in inquests and inquiries, while Leanne Windass specialises in Article 2 inquests involving deaths in state care.