Civil Liberties and Human Rights

"Garden Court Chambers boasts an impressive selection of silks and juniors offering broad-ranging expertise in the field of civil liberties and human rights."

Chambers UK Bar Guide

"A highly experienced claimant set, Garden Court Chambers regularly handles complex and high-profile human rights disputes, typically against public bodies. Members at the set have expertise across prison law, protest law, immigration detention and inquiries."

Chambers UK Bar Guide

"The clerks are very responsive, organised, friendly and helpful."

Chambers UK Bar Guide

"Recently several members appeared in the Undercover Policing Inquiry, examining the targeting of political activists, grassroots organisations, justice campaigns and politicians by undercover police officers since 1968."

Chambers UK Bar Guide

To contact the Civil Liberties Clerks, please email civillibertiesclerks@gclaw.co.uk or phone

+44 (0)20 7993 7600

Winner UK Bar Awards 2016 Human Rights and Public Law Set of the Year

Garden Court is recognised as one of the leading chambers in the UK specialising in civil liberties and human rights. We are highly ranked in both the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners for our expertise in this area of law and we have a large number of individual barrister rankings, including Band 1 rankings.

Over 40 years ago, Garden Court Chambers was founded on a commitment to hold state agents to account and promote fundamental human rights and freedoms. These principles are reflected throughout our work and embodied in our motto, ‘Do right, fear no-one’.

Garden Court Chambers were shortlisted for the Civil Liberties and Human Rights Set of the Year Award 2020 by the Legal 500.

the work we do

We have a proud history of winning contested cases on behalf of claimants in domestic, pan-European and international courts. Our cases have advanced the law and we have overturned great injustices in landmark, often controversial decisions, including the Hillsborough inquests, the suspension of the Detained Fast Track for asylum-seekers and the Supreme Court case on anonymity for detained mental health patients.

We are instructed on high profile cases such as the Grenfell Inquiry, the Undercover Policing Inquiry and the Child Sexual Abuse Inquiry.

Working with our public law barristers, we also bring related judicial review challenges to individual decisions made by public bodies as well as wider public law and human rights challenges to published policy.

Garden Court Chambers won the Human Rights and Public Law Set of the Year Award at the Chambers Bar Awards 2016. Our team includes those who have been shortlisted and won awards such as the Liberty Human Rights Award and the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards.

 

our expertise

Garden Court’s strength lies in our inter-disciplinary expertise. As the largest chambers in London with over 180 barristers, we can offer an unrivalled breadth and depth of related expertise from our core civil liberties practice areas: claims against the police and public authorities, inquests and inquiries, prison law and immigration detention civil claims.

 

our commitment to civil liberties and human rights

Our civil liberties and human rights barristers have long worked with campaigning and other organisations such as INQUEST, Liberty, JUSTICE, Just for Kids Law, and the British Institute of Human Rights. A number of barristers are approved counsel for the Equality and Human Rights Commission. 

In addition, every member of chambers contributes to a ‘Special Fund’, which provides financial support for smaller organisations to carry out legal, campaigning or charitable work in defence of civil liberties, human rights and social justice.

 

Recent notable cases and news

Supreme Court rules wide injunctions have negative impact on Gypsies and Travellers' ability to pursue traditional nomadic way of life

Marc Willers KC, Tessa Buchanan & Owen Greenhall represented London Gypsies and Travellers (LGT), Friends Families and Travellers (FFT) and the Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group (DGLG). Stephanie Harrison KC, Stephen Clark & Fatima Jichi represented Friends

29 November 2023

Oscar Davies joins Garden Court Chambers as new tenant

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

27 November 2023

Leslie Thomas KC questions Kemi Badenoch at UK Covid-19 Inquiry

Our Leslie Thomas KC questioned Kemi Badenoch MP at the UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 2.

23 November 2023

Peter Wilcock KC, Leslie Thomas KC, and Kirsten Heaven question Professor Sir Chris Witty at UK Covid-19 Inquiry

Peter Wilcock KC, Leslie Thomas KC, and Kirsten Heaven question Professor Sir Chris Witty at UK Covid-19 Inquiry

22 November 2023

Art Not Evidence Launches Campaign to Stop Rap Lyrics Being Used as Evidence

Keir Monteith KC, of the Garden Court Chambers Criminal Defence Team, is a member of Art Not Evidence. Keir is frequently instructed in trials and appeals where rap evidence is prejudicially used.

22 November 2023

High Court Dismisses DPP's Appeal Against Acquittal of Protestors Who Called Iain Duncan Smith “Tory Scum”

Tom Wainwright led Elena Papamichael. Owen Greenhall led Mira Hammad. Tom, Elena and Owen are members of the Garden Court Chambers Protest Rights Team.

21 November 2023

Extinction Rebellion activists cleared of £500,000 damage to HSBC

Owen Greenhall, of the Garden Court Protest Team, acted for an Extinction Rebellion protestor, instructed by Jane Cleasby of Kellys Solicitors.

17 November 2023

Extinction Rebellion protestors cleared of criminal damage to Treasury building

Michael Goold, of the Garden Court Chambers Protest Rights Team, was instructed by Jenny Winter of Birds Solicitors.

17 November 2023

Tom Wainwright acts for defendant cleared of violent disorder at protest

Tom Wainwright of the Garden Court Chambers Protest Rights Team acted for the defendant, instructed by Hester Cavaciuti of Bindmans LLP, who was assisted by Shivani Soni, trainee solicitor.

16 November 2023

Leslie Thomas KC and Liz Davies KC question Dame Priti Patel at UK Covid-19 Inquiry

Last week, our Leslie Thomas KC and Liz Davies KC questioned Priti Patel at Module 2 of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.

13 November 2023

Russell Fraser acts in successful appeal against ‘Kill the Bill’ protestor's sentence

Russell Fraser, of the Garden Court Protest Team, acted for the Appellant. He was instructed by Laura O’Brien of Hodge Jones & Allen.

10 November 2023

Barbuda runway challenge to be heard by the Privy Council

Marc Willers KC, Leslie Thomas KC, Stephen Cottle and Thalia Maragh, of Garden Court Chambers’ Environmental Law and Climate Justice Team, represent John Mussington and Jacklyn Frank pro bono.

2 November 2023

Rajiv Menon KC submits questions at UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 2

Rajiv Menon KC, Joint Head of Garden Court Chambers, submitted questions on behalf of children's rights organisations Just for Kids Law, Save the Children UK and Children's Rights Alliance for England.

1 November 2023

Inquest concludes ‘stark’ failures by probation service led to death of family

Kirsten Heaven and Paul Clark of Garden Court Chambers represented some of the family members of the victims at the inquest.

24 October 2023

UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 2 Continues - Opening statement on behalf of Core Participants

Several Garden Court Barristers are representing core participants at the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.

4 October 2023

Garden Court secures top tier rankings in the Legal 500 UK 2024

Garden Court Chambers is proud to be recognised as a Top Tier set again in the Legal 500 UK 2024 rankings.

4 October 2023

Trevor Monerville: Inquest critical of ‘unacceptable’ care of epileptic man at Lewes prison

Allison Munroe KC of the Garden Court Inquests and Inquiries Team, instructed by Paul Ham and Constance Collard of Birnberg Peirce Solicitors, represented the family of Trevor Monerville.

4 October 2023

UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 2 - Opening statement on behalf of Core Participants

Several Garden Court Barristers are representing core participants at the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.

3 October 2023

Stephen Simblet KC delivers oral submissions to UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 3

Stephen Simblet KC delivers oral submissions for COVID-19 Airborne Transmission Alliance to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 3.

27 September 2023

Allison Munroe KC delivers oral submissions to UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 3

Allison Munroe KC delivers oral submissions for Covid Bereaved Families for Justice UK to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 3.

27 September 2023

John Beckley appointed as Circuit Judge

We are delighted to announce that John Beckley, a former member of chambers, has been appointed as a Circuit Judge.

26 September 2023

Climate Case to be heard at European Court of Human Rights against 32 European States brought by 6 Portuguese youth

Richard Reynolds and Paul Clark are representing the youth-applicants, led by Alison Macdonald KC of Essex Court Chambers. Counsel are instructed by Global Legal Action Network.

26 September 2023

Dangerous use of force, failure of safeguards and culture of dehumanisation - Brook House Inquiry report finds 19 instances of inhumane or degrading treatment

Stephanie Harrison KC leading Louise Hooper, Gordon Lee, Kirsten Heaven, Una Morris, and Alex Schymyck, of the Garden Court Chambers Inquests and Inquiries Team represented former detainees, instructed by Hamish Arnott of Bhatt Murphy.

19 September 2023

Trevor Monerville: Inquest opens into epilepsy related death in HMP Lewes

Allison Munroe KC of Garden Court represents Trevor's family, instructed by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Paul Ham and Constance Collard of Birnberg Peirce. They are supported by INQUEST Senior Caseworker Jodie Anderson.

15 September 2023

Immigration Blog: Illegal Migration Act - An Asylum Apocalypse?

Blog post by Maha Sardar of the Garden Court Immigration Team.

15 September 2023

Sonali Naik KC delivers oral submissions to UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 4

Sonali Naik KC leads our Maria Moodie, instructed by Helen Mowatt of Public Interest Law Centre.

14 September 2023

Marc Willers KC delivers oral submissions to UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 4

Marc Willers KC leads Chris Jacobs of Landmark Chambers, instructed by Martin Howe of Howe & Co.

14 September 2023

Garden Court Chambers shortlisted in seven categories at Chambers UK Bar Awards 2023

We are delighted to announce that Garden Court Chambers has been shortlisted in seven categories at The Chambers UK Bar Awards 2023.

11 September 2023

Paul Clark named Times Lawyer of the Week

We are delighted to announce that Paul Clark of the Garden Court Inquests & Inquiries Team has been named Times Lawyer of the Week.

7 September 2023

Kate Aubrey-Johnson and Elena Papamichael contribute to Legal Action Youth Justice Update

Kate Aubrey-Johnson and Elena Papamichael of the Garden Court Children's Rights Team have written for Legal Action Magazine.

5 September 2023

London bus driver found not guilty of assaulting a police officer

Meredoc McMinn of the Garden Court Criminal Defence Team successfully represented the defendant, instructed by Jessica Murray of Hodge Jones & Allen.

4 September 2023

Luke Clarke: Inquest finds fear and confusion generated by Covid-19 and inadequate care by prison staff contributed to self-inflicted death in HMP Wormwood Scrubs

The family are represented by Paul Clark of the Garden Court Chambers Inquests and Inquiries Team, instructed by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Helen Stone of Hickman and Rose Solicitors. They are supported by INQUEST Caseworker Caroline Finney.

29 August 2023

The Team

Stephanie Harrison KC

Year of Call: 1991

Year of Silk: 2013

Henry Blaxland KC

Year of Call: 1978

Year of Silk: 2002

Dexter Dias KC

Year of Call: 1988

Year of Silk: 2009

Rajiv Menon KC

Year of Call: 1993

Year of Silk: 2011

Peter Wilcock KC

Year of Call: 1988

Year of Silk: 2012

Marc Willers KC

Year of Call: 1987

Year of Silk: 2014

Leslie Thomas KC

Year of Call: 1988

Year of Silk: 2014

Amanda Weston KC

Year of Call: 1995

Year of Silk: 2018

Brenda Campbell KC

Year of Call: 2002

Year of Silk: 2018

Stephen Simblet KC

Year of Call: 1991

Year of Silk: 2020

Allison Munroe KC

Year of Call: 1992

Year of Silk: 2020

Nicola Braganza KC

Year of Call: 1992

Year of Silk: 2022

Irena Sabic KC

Year of Call: 2002

Year of Silk: 2023

Patrick Roche

Year of Call: 1977

Christopher Williams

Year of Call: 1988

Helen Curtis

Year of Call: 1992

Rajeev Thacker

Year of Call: 1993

Jacqueline Vallejo

Year of Call: 1997

Nick Wrack

Year of Call: 1997

Emma Favata

Year of Call: 1999

Marina Sergides

Year of Call: 2000

Felicity Williams

Year of Call: 2000

Kate Aubrey-Johnson

Year of Call: 2001

Tim Baldwin

Year of Call: 2001

Maha Sardar

Year of Call: 2002

Abigail Smith

Year of Call: 2003

Jodie Blackstock

Year of Call: 2003

Joanne Cecil

Year of Call: 2005

Sarah Hemingway

Year of Call: 2006

Greg Ó Ceallaigh

Year of Call: 2006

Alex Grigg

Year of Call: 2007

Kirsten Heaven

Year of Call: 2007

Richard Reynolds

Year of Call: 2007

Thalia Maragh

Year of Call: 2009

Jacob Bindman

Year of Call: 2010

Paul Clark

Year of Call: 2010

Owen Greenhall

Year of Call: 2010

Gráinne Mellon

Year of Call: 2010

Taimour Lay

Year of Call: 2011

Una Morris

Year of Call: 2012

Michael Etienne

Year of Call: 2012

Stephen Clark

Year of Call: 2013

Natasha Shotunde

Year of Call: 2013

Audrey Cherryl Mogan

Year of Call: 2014

Franck Magennis

Year of Call: 2016

Danielle Manson

Year of Call: 2016

Zehrah Hasan

Year of Call: 2016

Luke McLean

Year of Call: 2017

Oscar Davies

Year of Call: 2018

Rachel Schon

Year of Call: 2018

Eva Doerr

Year of Call: 2019

Rehab Jaffer

Year of Call: 2019

Fatima Jichi

Year of Call: 2019

Isaac Ricca-Richardson

Year of Call: 2020

Alex Schymyck

Year of Call: 2020

Christopher Lambert

Associate Members

Anna Morris KC

Year of Call: 2006

Year of Silk: 2023

James Mehigan

Year of Call: 2008

Dr Terry McGuinness

Year of Call: 2009

Dr Peter Dunne

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

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