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Public Law

Keeping public authorities lawful, reasonable and fair

The Administrative and Public Law team at Tooks has a reputation for taking brave, ground-breaking challenges on behalf of claimants in all areas of judicial review but particularly in cases raising civil liberties and human rights issues.

The team focus is on representing the individual against the state, often in politically sensitive cases including anti-terror and national security measures, detention of asylum-seekers, imprisonment of offenders - eg the recent seminal case of R (Walker) v Secretary of State - and in many unique cases which defy categorisation - such as the intervention of the Secretary of State to overturn a school governing body's decision to re-instate a teacher after rejecting allegations of misconduct (R (ota) McNally v SS Education & Employment) or the challenge to the coroner's decision to hold the Princess Diana inquest in private.

The team also provides skilled, balanced and cost-effective advice and representation to local authorities in the exercise of their public law functions.

Wherever the rights of the individual are threatened by the power of the State - in any case in which judicial scrutiny and access to justice are in play, the team uses its wide expertise in a variety of substantive areas of law to find solutions and call decision-makers to account. The team's fearless work underlines the democratic importance of an independent bar.

Further information

Further information about individual members of our Administrative and Public Law team can be obtained using the links to the right. You can also contact our clerks directly:

• David Smith 020 7841 6108
• Simon Gardner 020 7841 6110

Recent news

• Compatibility of Sex Offender Registration with Article 8 of ECHR
  On 3 February 2010 Hugh Southey is leading Adam Straw in the Supreme Court in the case of F considering the compatibility of sex offender registration with Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
  2 February 2010
• Tooks Expertise Recognised by Chambers UK 2010
  In the latest edition of Chambers UK published on the 11th November 2009 Tooks has been recognised as a leading set in Civil Liberties, Crime, Immigration and Police Law. Individual members have been recognised in Administrative and Public Law, Dispute Resolution and Employment.
  12 November 2009
• Tooks Expertise Recognised by the Legal 500 Again
  In the most recent edition of the Legal 500 UK (2009) launched on the 8th September Tooks was once again recognised as one of the top three leading claimant sets recommended as a leading set in Crime, Human Rights & Civil Liberties, and Immigration & Nationality. Individual members are also included within Administrative and public law, and Employment.
  23 September 2009
• Tooks Crew Stay Afloat at Leigh Day & Co Charity Dragon Boat Race
  A motley crew from tooks participated in the third Leigh Day & Co Charity Boat Race on Thursday 9th July. Novices to the skill of dragon boat racing, the team accounted for themselves well, winning two of their heats and coming 5th overall.
  10 July 2009
• Tooks Chambers Expertise Recognised by Chambers & Partners UK Guide
  The set has been recognised as a leading set in Civil Liberties, Crime, Immigration and Police Law. Individual members have been recognised in Administrative and Public Law, Mediation and Employment.
  10 November 2008
• Jude Bunting Joins Tooks
  We are pleased to announce that Jude Bunting has accepted an offer to become a member of Tooks Chambers. Jude joins our Actions Against the Police & Inquests; Education & Children's Public law; Employment & Equality and Public Law teams.
  10 October 2008
• Tooks Chambers Expertise Recognised by the Legal 500.
  Recognised as one of the top three leading claimant sets also recommended as a leading set in Crime, Human Rights & Civil Liberties, and Immigration & Nationality.
  22 September 2008
• Tooks Member Shortlisted for the Chambers Bar Awards
  Hugh Southey in the running for Human Rights and Public Law Junior of the Year
  18 August 2008
• Tooks Barrister acts for sister of dead barrister
  Hugh Southey acted for Charlotte Saunders who challenged the investigation of the shooting of her brother, Mark, by the police.
  18 July 2008
• Legal 500 2007 recommends Tooks Chambers
  17 September 2007

• 1979 Stephen Kamlish QC (2003)
• 1985 Joel Bennathan QC (2006)
• 1977 Patrick Roche
• 1988 Martin Huseyin
• 1988 Chris Williams
• 1990 Rebecca Chapman
• 1993 Sandhya Drew
• 1995 Amanda Weston
• 1996 Hugh Southey
• 1996 Sarah Bourke
• 1999 Mungo Bovey
• 2001 Kamran Choudhry
• 2003 Abigail Smith
• 2006 Jude Bunting
• 2006 Leonie Hirst