Karen Steyn

Biography

Karen read history at the University of Liverpool, before obtaining a distinction in the Diploma in Law at City University, where she was awarded the Worshipful Company of Arbitrators' Award for being placed first in her year.

Karen practises mainly in the field of public law and human rights. She has appeared and advised in a wide variety of public law cases, relating to education, community care, social security, housing, financial services, mental health, immigration and asylum, prisons, planning and licensing.
Karen is a member of the Attorney General’s A Panel and the Information Commissioner’s panel of counsel.

What others say about Karen:

“Karen Steyn has a reputation as a “high-quality player who’s very user-friendly and competent in court.” Clients singled her out for her calm and relaxed style.” (Chambers 2007)

She is “a name to look out for in the future” (Chambers 2008)

Recent Cases

R (Binyam Mohamed) v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

[2010] EWCA Civ 65 [2009] 1 WLR 2653 [2009] 1 WLR 2579
Guantanamo detainee – allegations of torture/inhumane treatment – request for disclosure – Norwich Pharmacal – UN Convention Against Torture

R (LB Hillingson) v Secretary of State for Transport

[2010] EWHC 626 (Admin)
Heathrow 3rd runway - fairness of consultation.

Al Rawi & Ors v Security Service & Ors

[2010] EWCA Civ 482 [2009] EWHC 2959 (QB)
Guantanamo - civil damages claim - procedure - extent of court's power to hold closed hearing

R (Evans) v Secretary of State for Defence

[2010] (judgment reserved)
Armed conflict in Afganistan - Article 3 ECHR standard - assessment of risk of torture

R (Corner House Research and CAAT) v Director of the Serious Fraud Office (and BAE plc)

[2009] 1 AC 756 HL
Discontinuance of BAE corruption investigation - Rule of law – separation of powers – national security – threat – unincorporated treaty

R(N) v Secretary of State for Health

[2009] EWCA Civ 795 [2009] HRLR 31 [2008] HRLR 42
Smoking ban - secure mental health patient – Articles 8 and 14 of the ECHR

Home Office v British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection and Information Commissioner

[2009] 1 WLR 636 [2008] EWCA Civ 870; [2008] EWHC 892 (QB)
Animal research licenses - Freedom of information – statutory prohibition on disclosure – statutory construction – law of confidence

R (Elphinstone) v City of Westminster

[2009] ELR 1069 [2008] EWHC 1287 (Admin)
School closure and re-opening as Academy – adequacy of consultation – fundamental change

R (Brown) v Secretary of State for Work & Pensions

[2009] PTSR 1506 [2008] EWHC 3158 (Admin)
Post Office closures - disability equality impact assessments - consultation.

Corporate Officer of the House of Commons v ICO and others

[2009] 3 All ER 403 [2008] EWHC 1084 (Admin)
Freedom of information – data protection – reasonable expectations – disclosure of addresses

Areas of Practice

• Public and Administrative
• Education
• Mental Health
• Prisoners’ rights
• Human Rights
• Freedom of Information and Data Protection
• Asylum and Immigration
• Discrimination
• Civil Liberties
• Local Government