Hailed by clients as ‘one of the strongest public law teams in the UK’, Bindmans LLP has a long-established reputation for expertise in traditional claimant, commercial, regulatory, and defendant work, with particular strength in the health and social care, housing, and political sectors. Practice head John Halford is a renowned public law specialist and represents a diverse range of clients, encompassing individuals, campaign groups, regulators, commercial companies and other public sector entities. Karen May’s practice focuses heavily on education and community care judicial review cases, and she regularly appears before the High Court and Court of Appeal. Salima Budhani is highly sought after by major NGOs, representative organisations and individuals. Shirin Marker‘s practice has a particular focus on challenges related to immigration rights and national security, while associate Emma Varley specialises in challenging decisions by local authorities, schools and health bodies.

Deighton Pierce Glynn fields a team ‘that is dedicated to pursuing the rights of some of the most marginalised people‘, regularly taking on the most complex, novel and high-profile challenges to public authorities in judicial review and private law proceedings, as well as inquiries. Adam Hundt is a leading contact in Bristol and is regularly instructed in significant public law and procurement challenges, while London-based managing partner Polly Glynn regularly handles cases concerning local authorities and accessible housing. Zubier Yazdani typically litigates against public bodies before the Administrative Court in judicial review and damages claims relating to state abuses. Sasha Rozansky recently represented a victim of domestic and sexual abuse who successfully challenged a local authority’s decision to grant licences to an unlimited number of strip clubs, while Ugo Hayter has recently represented victims of trafficking threatened with deportation to Rwanda. Joanna Thomson retired in March 2022.

Fieldfisher offers a deep bench of specialists in all aspects of public law advice and litigation; the firm’s areas of expertise range from bringing and defending applications for judicial review, to acting in complex inquests, public inquiries and independent reviews. One of those spearheading the practice is Matthew Lohn, who is highly sought after by individuals and corporates for his knowledge of judicial review, information transfer and fair process. Martin Smith is another key name at leadership level, and brings experience advising private sector organisations on their interaction with public bodies, central government and regulators. Tim Suter has been involved in numerous major inquiries in recent years, including the Manchester Arena bombing and the Covid-19 inquiries, while Sarah Ellson is vastly experienced across key public sectors such as healthcare and education. Carina May is also noted.

An extension of the firm’s renowned disputes offering, the offering at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP spans all contentious and non-contentious aspects of public and administrative law, including judicial review, tribunal proceedings, government inquiries, and statutory appeal work. Jointly leading the practice are the vastly experienced Andrew Lidbetter and Nusrat Zar, whose combined experience covers an extremely broad range of key sectors including media, telecoms, energy, transport, utilities and financial services. Jasveer Randhawa is another key contact and trusted advisor to major commercial organisations and public bodies and regulators, while senior associate James Wood has developed a solid reputation for expertise regarding professional disciplinary investigations and freedom of information issues.

Consisting of specialists who can provide public law advice interwoven with policy considerations, Hogan Lovells International LLP acts for a broad range of clients including sovereign governments, UK public departments, and high-profile commercial clients, with particular strength in judicial reviews within heavily regulated industries. Solicitor advocate Charles Brasted leads the practice, bringing a stellar market reputation and exceptional expertise in the energy, financial services, life sciences and technology sectors to the group. Director of government affairs Robert Gardener is another key contact. Solicitor advocate Julia Marlow regularly advises clients, including C-Suite executives, on public affairs strategies and parliamentary engagement.

Kingsley Napley LLP combines considerable breadth and depth of public and administrative law expertise with the firm’s work in judicial review spanning a wide array of key sectors; recent highlights include proceedings with a nexus to real estate and construction, technology, healthcare, and higher education, amongst others. Practice head Sophie Kemp is a seasoned appellate litigator and specialist in judicial review, offering deep experience in large and complex institutional responses to public inquiries. With over three decades of experience, Adam Chapman is highly regarded for his expertise regarding public inquiries, major inquests, and information law, while Nick Wrightson’s practice focuses heavily on commercial and regulatory judicial review.

Operating at the forefront of high-profile claimant work, Leigh Day combines a core set of administrative and public law experts with specialists across a broad range of relevant disciplines, from healthcare and immigration, to refugee law and prisoners' rights. Human rights specialist Jamie Beagent leads the team; his practice focuses particularly on the environment, and the detention and welfare of immigrants and asylum seekers. Tessa Gregory is a vastly experienced litigator and represents a wide variety of clients in complex judicial reviews, including individuals and NGOs. Benjamin Burrows is another key contact and heads the prison law team, while Merry Varney is well regarded for inquests concerning child rights.

With a client roster spanning governmental authorities, utility companies, and private sector entities carrying out work of a public nature, Addleshaw Goddard has a strong reputation for defending and forwarding judicial review applications across key sectors, from local government and education, to transport and infrastructure. Heavyweight disputes specialists Bill Gilliam and Simon Kamstra oversee the administrative and public law offering, with divisional managing partner for litigation Mark Molyneux also supporting. Clare Dwyer has acted in various disputes arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, while managing associate Paul Rowley is renowned for his public law and procurement expertise. Legal director Ryan Geldart has also developed strong expertise in the team's contentious public procurement practice.

Baker McKenzie is noted for both its advisory and litigious expertise in the public law context. In addition to a strong reputation for commercial judicial review work, the team offers specialist knowledge in relation to tax, information governance and data, professional conduct, and trade issues, with an increased focus on climate change-related litigation. Joanna Ludlam heads the practice and regularly acts on some of the leading public law cases; recent highlights include the UNHCR’s intervention regarding the Government’s Rwanda refugee policy. Yindi Gesinde and Nadia Banno are also highly recommended.

In addition to being regularly instructed on significant public inquiries and judicial reviews, Bates Wells has particular expertise in advising audit bodies and local government on public sector finance, as well as acting for major charities on regulation, public law challenges and duty spin-outs. Former practice head Melanie Carter moved to Bevan Brittan LLP in July 2022 but the team was bolstered by the addition of co-head Matthew Smith, who has a strong track record on judicial reviews concerning human rights before domestic and European courts, from BDB Pitmans in April 2023. Senior associate Alistair Williams handles matters in the local audit sector, including financial investigations. Claire Whittle has moved to DLA Piper.

Having established a leading reputation for high-profile public work spanning both advisory mandates and judicial reviews, Bevan Brittan LLP offers specialists across a number of key sectors, including local government, healthcase, financial services and education. Inquiries and investigations are another key area of strength. Practice head Virginia Cooper has extensive experience handling complex regulatory matters, jurisdiction consultation duties and judicial review challenges. Melanie Carter joined from Bates Wells in August 2022 and is a leading authority on public sector audit governing, while Olivia Carter has developed a specialism in NHS commissioning issues. Amy Tschobotko regularly handles public law and regulatory cases before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Stuart Marchant has particular expertise in healthcare and social care.

Acting for a broad range of clients, from protestors and victims of crime, to state detainees and bereaved families, Bhatt Murphy has particularly well established expertise in protecting the rights of women and girls, regularly bringing claims against the police for failure to protect and investigate. Immigration law specialist Janet Farrell is a key contact, and has handled numerous public and private law claims for families detained by the Home Office. Michael Oswald acts on behalf of victims of police misconduct in civil claims, judicial reviews, and the police complaints system, while Jane Ryan is a recognised specialist in prison law and has particular strength in handling independent investigations arising from serious abuse in custody.

Clifford Chance LLP is highly sought after by major public and private sector clients to advise on public law issues in relation to corporate transactions, strategic positioning and government relations challenges. The practice handles a steady stream of large-scale judicial reviews touching upon environmental, tax, real estate and human rights issues, with practice head and director Andrew Dean highly respected for his public law and procurement expertise. Senior associate Oliver Carroll is experienced in both contentious and non-contentious mandates, and is instructed by a roster of large corporate, financial services and governmental clients. Elizabeth Morony is also a key contact, especially in the field of judicial review.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP is known for the breadth of its public sector expertise, regularly advising major clients on transformational projects, private and third sector collaboration, major outsourcings, procurement, investigations and public sector pensions. Cardiff-based Huw Jones is head of local government and leads on the employment aspects of public sector matters, while in Manchester, Kuljeet Gill has extensive experience in the tax, real estate, banking and construction sectors. In Birmingham, Sarah Jones leads the inquiries and investigations team, while London-based Mukhtiar Tanda leads the governments and infrastructure group. In Birmingham, legal director Isabelle Mitchell has worked extensively on a number of major investigations and public inquiries.

Gold Jennings is a niche legal aid firm with a public law team renowned for its capabilities in issues concerning migrants' rights, criminal justice judicial reviews, central government decisions, and inquests. Practice head Clare Jennings acts exclusively for claimants in public law matters, with a proven track record successfully challenging state decisions and achieving high-level policy change. Matthew Gold has a stellar reputation for actions against the police, handling complex cases of wrongful arrest, false imprisonment and malicious prosecution.

Mishcon de Reya LLP’s strength lies in the diversity of its work; the firm is well versed in complex judicial reviews, and handles mandates ranging from environmental law to gambling regulation, immigration, data protection and discrimination issues. Katy Colton was promoted to partner in April 2023 and leads the offering, with a proven track record advising politicians, activists, NGOs and charities in relation to complex and contentious issues of equality, administrative law, and human rights. Emily Nicholson and James Libson are also noted.

BDB Pitmans has established a comprehensive public law offering, covering the spectrum of litigation, inquiries and inquests, as well as advisory and legislative work, which utilises its notable strength in parliamentary law. With former practice head Matthew Smith departing to Bates Wells in March 2023, the team is now overseen by David Mundy, who brings specialist expertise in the fields of freedom of information, data protection and judicial review to the group. Another key name to note for judicial review work is Richard Langley, who has extensive experience acting for local councils and major regulators.

In addition to a strong reputation for high-profile and complex judicial reviews, DAC Beachcroft LLP is particularly well known for advisory work on policy development and implementation, as well as regulatory advice. Practice head Alistair Robertson is renowned for his judicial review expertise, especially in the health sector. The team was recently bolstered by the arrival of legal consultant Priyesh Patel from the Government Legal Department, who brings extensive public inquiry experience to the group.

The public law team at DLA Piper provides stellar advice to both public authorities and major corporations and organisations who are impacted by public law decisions, and is regularly instructed by the UK Government as a go-to firm for complex matters. Since April 2022, the practice has been spearheaded by Emma Dowden-Teale, who combines a thriving advisory practice with a busy contentious offering that spans from the Administrative Court to the Upper Tribunals. Claire Whittle joined from Bates Wells in November 2023.

Duncan Lewis Solicitors has established a well respected judicial review claimant practice, representing a spectrum of vulnerable claimants in cases relating to human rights, prison, mental capacity and social welfare issues. The team has recently been representing clients in the lead challenge to the SSHD’s Rwanda policy, with Ahmed Aydeed being a key contact on that front. James Packer is director of the public law department and litigates across a broad range of areas, while immigration specialist Toufique Hossain regularly represents vulnerable individuals, including asylum seekers and victims of torture. Rohena Wallace is also highly recommended.

With a recognisable strength in bringing public law challenges against decisions within the criminal justice system, Hickman & Rose is a trusted advisor to a wide range of individuals and organisations, including a number of major domestic and international human rights charities. Daniel Machover oversees the practice, which has developed an impressive reputation in connection with inquests and public inquiries, interventions for legal charities in cases of significant public interest, and commercial judicial reviews. Inquests expert Kate Maynard focuses on police, prison and immigration death and serious injury claims, while civil litigator Helen Stone brings public law experience acting in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court to the group.

Hodge Jones & Allen fields a team of expert lawyers with years of experience in cases relating to miscarriages of justice, inquests, and actions against the police. Practice head Susie Labinjoh regularly handles civil actions against the police and prison services, as well as leading on political protest cases. Jocelyn Cockburn focuses on environmental justice, while Sasha Barton has extensive experience representing vulnerable victims of violence where the police have failed to protect and investigate. The practice has also established a solid reputation for judicial review work, covering challenges against a range of public entities including the CPS, Independent Office for Police Conduct, and the UK Government.

Irwin Mitchell is regularly instructed by a diverse range of individuals and organisations, including large campaign groups, in complex and high-profile judicial reviews challenging local authority policies and decisions, human rights abuses by public bodies, and wider public interest cases. Practice head Yogi Amin is well known for handling high-profile cases and strategic litigation, including policy challenges in a broad range of key sectors. Oliver Studdert is highly skilled representing children bringing judicial review proceedings under the Children Act 1989, while Rebecca Chapman’s practice focuses on community care and Court of Protection work. Associate Oliver Carter is developing a strong reputation, especially regarding cases against government departments, local authorities and NHS bodies.

The public law practice at Linklaters LLP is particularly adept at acting for businesses and public bodies on business critical and complex judicial review matters, with specialist expertise across the media, technology, transport, financial services and energy sectors. Practice head Tom Cassels is a prominent public law figure, representing the UK Government, international companies, and major charities in high-stakes public law disputes. The practice also handles a steady stream of advisory work, guiding clients through complex and novel principles of administrative and public law.

Osbornes is highly regarded for conducting judicial review challenges against local authorities and the SSHD, especially in regard to adverse age assessments for unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors. The team is led by William Ford, who has brought numerous successful judicial review challenges on behalf of a wide range of claimants, including homeless applicants, care leavers, disabled persons, migrants subjected to a hostile environment, and social security claimants. Alex McMahon advises on issues concerning housing, community care, and asylum support, while senior associate Edward Taylor focuses on protecting the rights of children, regularly working with international charities to do so.

Active across the full range of administrative and public law areas, Simpson Millar LLP handles complex judicial review work spanning community care, children’s rights, and education, with a particular specialism in acting for victims of trafficking. Chris Callender forms part of the leadership trio and has extensive experience bringing claims against the police and prisons for failing in their duty of care. Co-head Victoria Pogge Von Strandmann specialises in public law challenges concerning the rights of children and vulnerable migrants, while co-head Dan Rosenberg is an expert in education-related judicial reviews, particularly unlawful exclusions.

Allen & Overy LLP continues to handle a steady stream of commercial public law, judicial review and public procurement mandates, with clients ranging from regulated corporates and utilities, to public bodies and major NGOs. Heading up the group is Andrew Denny, who offers particular expertise advising on public law aspects of major projects, including the lawfulness of government decisions and freedom of information matters. Maeve Hanna is highly sought after by large corporates, financial institutions and charities.

With considerable depth of expertise across heavily regulated sectors such as financial services, gambling, life sciences, healthcare and sport, the public law offering at CMS draws on expertise from numerous relevant disciplines, from regulatory and competition, to commercial and IP litigation. Practice head Dan Tench combines his public and media law expertise to provide advice for clients in the public policy arena, while Tamsin Blow is noted for her expertise in the media and gambling sectors.

With a particularly strong reputation regarding the rights of disabled children, adults and their families, the public law practice at Rook Irwin Sweeney LLP is also highly regarded for its skill in areas such as health and social care, and education law. The firm's three founding partners remain at the helm: Polly Sweeney has a particular interest in strategic litigation involving the rights of children; Anne-Marie Irwin acts for individuals, charities and NGOs in large judicial reviews; and Alex Rook’s specialism lies in mental capacity and human rights law. Alice Cullingworth is also highly recommended.

Russell-Cooke LLP is increasingly engaged in complex judicial review and public inquiry work, drawing on its recognised regulatory expertise and growing specialisms in planning, housing, criminal law and immigration. Practice head John Gould is a public law specialist and regularly prepares independent reports on governance and related issues for public sector organisations. Michael Stacey is known for both bringing and defending high-profile judicial reviews, particularly regarding policy issues affecting the charity sector.

Saunders Law is regularly involved in high-profile and cutting edge work in the field of public and administrative law, including major public inquiries, inquests, judicial reviews and other HRA-related claims. Heading the public inquiries team is Cyrilia Knight, who brings extensive expertise handling civil claims against the police and other public authorities to the group. Human rights specialists Nia Williams and Clare Evans are also key contacts.

With recognisable strength in both contentious and non-contentious work, Trowers & Hamlins LLP is highly active in commercial judicial review and transparency issues, as well as advising on public sector powers and governance issues. Lucy James, who heads the firm’s national commercial litigation team, has expanded the contentious procurement offering, while public sector head Scott Dorling has vast expertise advising on vires, procurement and state aid issues for local authority projects.

Wilson Solicitors LLP is known for its legal aid work and regularly represents clients affected by the actions of public bodies, with a commitment to acting for the most marginalised individuals, including victims of torture and trafficking, children, vulnerable families, disabled people, and those with mental health problems. Head of public law James Wilson, who has also been acting as firm managing partner since April 2023, has overseen an expansion into inquest work to complement the established judicial review and test litigation experience. Nina Rathbone Pullen and Katy Robinson lead the work, with the latter having particular expertise in community care. Nusrat Uddin specialises in strategic litigation relating to modern slavery and trafficking. Jed Pennington was promoted to partner in January 2023 and specialises in judicial review and civil actions challenging immigration detention.

Fielding public law specialists with in-depth knowledge of the workings of government, as well as the health and education sectors, Browne Jacobson LLP offers the full range of services to local authorities, central government departments, social housing and emergency services providers. Key contacts include Ros Foster, Richard Barlow, Ben Standing and Laura Hughes; the entire team contributes to the key practice specialisms which span inquiries, procurement, subsidy control and other public law areas.

Capsticks LLP is well known in the administrative and public law market for defending challenges to the actions and decisions of public bodies actions, as well as for its extensive expertise in representing NHS bodies in complex judicial review proceedings. Peter Edwards jointly leads the team with Leeds-based counterpart Ian Cooper, a health and social care specialist who advises public bodies on their statutory powers and responsibilities.

Noted for its expertise in government-related work, Dentons is knowledgeable across the gamut of contentious and non-contentious work and operates at the cutting edge of major project development work, advising on procurement, industry and environmental regulation, state aid and other European public law issues. The team has recently been re-appointed to the Crown Commercial Services legal panel and is led by the vastly experienced Christopher McGee-Osborne and Catherine Bingham; between them, they oversee a team which boasts considerable experience across a number of key industries, from defence and energy, to transport and finance.

As well as a broad spread of core advisory and contentious administrative and public law areas, the team at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher has established significant expertise in the fields of commercial judicial review, constitutional law, public international law challenges, and public and parliamentary inquiries. Philip Rocher is a commercial litigator with significant experience handling regulatory disputes, particularly in the financial sector, while Patrick Doris acts for and against sovereign entities, UK public authorities and major NGOs.

ITN Solicitors is particularly renowned for its public law expertise in the areas of national security, prisoner’s rights, immigration detention challenges, and policing and deaths in custody. William Kenyon is the public law supervisor and head of prison law; he acts in numerous public law challenges and has particular strength in matters concerning detention. Lochlinn Parker departed for Good Law Practice in May 2023.

Pinsent Masons LLP‘s public and administrative team is well known for its ability to handle complex judicial reviews for both claimants and respondents, acting for a variety of major public bodies including UK Government departments, universities and Southern Water. Practice head Robbie Owen advises on a wide range of public law issues, while David Thorneloe is highly sought after for his expertise in judicial review challenges.

Utilising an extensive international presence to handle administrative and public law matters, often with a cross-border element, Stephenson Harwood regularly acts for and against public bodies and has a notable strength regarding financial services regulatory issues. Practice head Sean Jeffrey has substantial expertise representing clients against in relation to UK Government-imposed sanctions, while of counsel Stephen Ashley is a specialist in sanctions related to Iran.

Harnessing crossover specialisms in housing and Court of Protection work, TV Edwards Solicitors LLP has been successful in numerous challenges of local authority social services departments, including those concerning emergency accommodation and care services. Katie Brown jointly leads the social welfare department with senior partner Jacky Starling; they provide extensive expertise in housing and community care law. Jenny Mansell and Monica Kreel are noted at associate level.

Led by the highly experienced Andrew Brookes, Anthony Gold Solicitors LLP has particular expertise in public and administrative law challenges related to housing. The team recently acted in two interventions in the Supreme Court: one judicial review concerning a local authority’s requirement to find suitable accommodation, and the other relating to Rent Repayment Orders for landlords.

With considerable expertise spread across the firm's London, Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds offices, Hill Dickinson LLP is known for its skill in handling complex judicial review challenges and high-profile public inquiries and investigations, as well as advising on statutory duties and governance law issues, particularly in the healthcare sector. Emma Stockwell and Kiran Bhogal jointly lead the team.

RPC handles a diverse range of complex challenges against public bodies, with recent highlights including judicial reviews spanning issues such as the legality of search warrants and powers of arrest, as well as a ground-breaking class action against HMRC’s anti-avoidance powers and pensions law. The practice is headed up by the significantly experienced Adam Craggs, who has particular expertise in challenging the decisions of regulatory and investigative bodies.

Sharpe Pritchard LLP is particularly sought after by public sector clients including central government and local authorities, transport bodies and emergency services. Practice head Alastair Lewis has extensive expertise of the energy and transport sectors.

The public inquiries and public law team at TLT represents a broad range of public and private sector clients, including central and local government, non-departmental public bodies, high-profile individuals and blue light services. Practice head Zaqia Rashid has extensive expertise acting on major public inquiries, with particular strength handling large-scale disclosure exercises for HMG.

Widely regarded for its comprehensive skill in public inquiries work, Weightmans LLP boasts a diverse range of clients including large corporates, emergency services, and public and regulatory bodies. Martin Forshaw is an expert in police law, while Martin English has been involved in several major inquiries recently, including those related to Covid-19 and undercover policing. Hannah Walsh is also a key name to note.