THE FIRM The civil liberties team at Bhatt Murphy has a narrower remit than some of its competitors, but remains a force to be reckoned with in its core practice areas.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Raju Bhatt and Fiona Murphy enjoy fantastic reputations in the areas of police and prison law; Murphy has also been active of late on issues relating to anonymity. Tony Murphy handles an impressive range of cases, including challenges relating to police shootings and deaths in custody. Simon Creighton and Hamish Arnott head up the firm's market-leading prison law practice, and are recognised as dedicated and knowledgeable practitioners. Mark Scott focuses on immigration detention and child deaths in custody, and has been successful in several high-profile cases recently.
THE FIRM This is undisputedly a benchmark practice for civil liberties and human rights matters. Its lawyers handle a broad workload, ranging from deaths in custody and prisoner rights to discrimination and freedom of expression. A team of five partners is supported by a group of first-rate associates.
Sources Say: "Fabulous lawyers doing brilliant work."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Stephen Grosz leads the team and is one of the most respected and in-demand solicitors in London: "He has it all – knowledge, experience and skill." He represented the Equality and Human Rights Commission in its successful intervention concerning discrimination against disabled persons without accommodation from receipt of the disability premium element of income support. John Halford has a well-deserved reputation as "a brilliant lawyer," particularly among protesters, for whom he continues to win regular victories; his top-flight practice also extends to many other areas. Saimo Chahal has won several favourable House of Lords decisions over the past twelve months, including an historic victory for Debbie Purdy relating to assisted suicide. Clients cannot speak highly enough of her, citing her dedication to keeping them informed, "her ability to translate brilliantly from legalese to English," and her dogged determination as some of her key strengths. She also leads the firm's prison law practice. Chez Cotton is well known for her successes in actions against the police, and is a favourite among clients for her dedication to securing the rights of disabled prisoners. Geoffrey Bindman provides strategic and consultative advice, and his years of experience make him a tremendous resource to the firm and its clients.
THE FIRM Although not quite as high-profile as some of its competitors, the team at Deighton Guedalla acts regularly on major cases such as R (Saunders) v IPPC, which resulted in changes to the Association of Chief Police Officers guidelines regarding the police practice of conferring before providing their account of a police shooting. The group has a huge amount of collective experience, which is a key factor for clients.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Jane Deighton leads the team and advises on issues such as deaths in custody and discrimination. Sarah Ricca's wide expertise makes her a reliable choice for civil liberties issues.
THE FIRM This is the dominant human rights practice in East Anglia, with a busy caseload and a broad practice covering unlawful detention and removal, community care, immigration and access to housing support.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Hannah Graves is an incredibly hard-working lawyer who advises on the full range of human rights issues. According to clients, she is "tireless in her passion for protecting human rights and dignity."
THE FIRM This is one of the country's leading practices for best interest and capacity litigation, drawing on its practitioners' strengths in education, social welfare and human rights. The team achieved a unanimous victory before the House of Lords in G v London Borough of Southwark, regarding the question of whether Social Services had a duty to provide a 17-year-old with support and accommodation.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Department co-head Angela Jackman regularly acts for vulnerable young people in challenges relating to best interest and capacity, and is widely praised for the consistent quality of her practice. Prison law specialist Andrew Arthur is an experienced practitioner, frequently mounting challenges based on Article 5.
THE FIRM This five-strong team has a fantastic record despite some personnel losses in recent years. The energetic civil liberties practice continues to achieve significant results, such as a judicial review against the IPCC which reached the Court of Appeal.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Team leader Daniel Machover works tirelessly in the blocking of secret inquests via the Counter-Terrorism Bill and the Coroners and Justice Bill. His workload covers both domestic and international human rights law. Anna Mazzola is an active and talented practitioner who advises on issues such as domestic violence against children, protesters' rights, and alleged war crimes resulting from Operation Cast Lead.
THE FIRM This team secured a landmark victory at the ECHR in the Marper case, concerning the UK's policy on the retention of the DNA of innocent people. The team numbers 15 around the UK, and clients note its significant resources and expertise.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Peter Mahy leads the team and handles actions against the police, inquests, and matters relating to deaths in custody and immigration detention.
THE FIRM This Sheffield-based firm has excellent geographic coverage and is active in an impressive range of areas, including immigration detention, prisoners' rights, community care, inquests and environmental challenges. The team represents all types of clients, including individuals, businesses and NGOs. The firm also has offices in Leeds, Birmingham, Newcastle, Manchester, London and Glasgow.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Yogi Amin has a broad civil liberties practice and is prized by clients for his ability to express their claims in "a clear and accessible way that makes people interested in the case." John Dickinson leads on prison law matters and is highlighted for his deep experience and knowledge in the sector.
THE FIRM This team offers key strength in depth with four partners and six associates, and clients report that its service is excellent.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Frances Swaine heads the human rights department at the firm, and acts on challenges ranging from deportation and community care to assaults in custody and immigration detention. Richard Stein has been active in civil liberties-related judicial reviews in the education sector recently, and clients report that his dedication "often goes well beyond the call of duty." Sean Humber is hugely active in the prison law sector, and is known as an exceptionally knowledgeable and client-focused practitioner.
THE FIRM This team has been working on behalf of immigration detainees and failed asylum seekers in numerous human rights challenges of late. Interviewees identify its "willingness to go the extra mile" as a key factor in its success. The group took a test case on squatters' rights to the Court of Appeal in 2009, and is mounting a human rights challenge to the closure of post offices around the UK, based on a disability claim.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Sue Willman leads the public and human rights law department, and is "extremely knowledgeable and very committed to the issues she works on," according to clients.
THE FIRM This team is advising on challenges relating to Gaza, protesters' rights and discrimination, and is leading the legal team at the Baha Mousa public inquiry.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients can expect terrific service and deep expertise from Philip Shiner, whose commitment to human rights remains undimmed; market sources were keen to highlight the "extraordinary contribution" he has made to human rights law. Shiner regularly handles ground-breaking and controversial cases, and his recent workload includes a raft of challenges brought by Iraqis alleging abuse, assault and even murder by British armed forces.
THE FIRM The human rights team here has two main areas of focus. The first is international human rights work, particularly death penalty appeals, where the team has a terrific reputation in international jurisprudence, particularly with the Privy Council, since establishing the Death Penalty Project in 1992. It also focuses on challenges under Articles 8 and 10 relating to the rights of journalists. Market sources highlight the team's terrific commitment to the aims of its clients.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Parvais Jabbar and Saul Lehrfreund have been leading the Death Penalty Project for more than ten years, and it has enjoyed fantastic results recently in Trinidad and Tobago, Belize and Mauritius. Louis Charalambous leads the team's media-related human rights work, using innovative applications of the Human Rights Act to mount challenges.
THE FIRM Tuckers is renowned for its excellent criminal and police law practice. Its human rights team has also become increasingly important lately, acting in cases such as G and Others v HM Treasury, regarding the asset-freezing regime surrounding terrorist suspects. Sources highlight the geographical footprint and abundant resources to which the team has access.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Jules Carey leads the police actions team and is bringing various challenges on behalf of former terrorist suspects relating to arrest, detention and investigation. He continues to represent the 'Ramsgate Four', challenging the use of anti-terror legislation to prevent them travelling with humanitarian supplies to the Palestinian Territories. Sources praise his technical prowess and energetic style.
Roger Gherson is a leading immigration practitioner at Gherson, and frequently undertakes complex and politically sensitive cases at the intersection of human rights and immigration; he is also deeply experienced in taking cases to Strasbourg. According to clients, he is
"incredibly hard-working, highly specialised and committed to finding the best solution for his clients." Natalia Garcia at Tyndallwoods
is a safe pair of hands for human rights work relating to control orders, terrorist suspects and asylum; she is renowned in Birmingham as a highly capable and hard-working practitioner.
Imran Khan of Imran Khan & Partners is a fixture in the sector and works tirelessly on human rights cases, often involving terrorist suspects.
Elkan Abrahamson of Jackson & Canter is one of Liverpool's most prominent prison lawyers, generating frequent challenges.
Fiona Borrill of Lester Morrill has a significant practice covering inquests and deaths in custody. She receives glowing recommendations from commentators and has achieved a series of successful results for her clients. At Stephensons,
Mike Pemberton has established himself as an expert in prison law with an important practice.
Nicola Mackintosh of Mackintosh Duncan Solicitors has a recognised niche in community care, acting frequently for the Official Solicitor and achieving terrific results for her clients.