Public Law
The work we do
Our large and well-established public law practice has an outstanding reputation. We have extensive experience of working with public bodies in almost every aspect of public law.
Our clients include central and local government, public bodies including the fire and police services, regulatory bodies, health trusts and individual claimants.
We edit the most recent title on Administrative Law in ‘Halsbury’s Laws of England’ (vol 1(1)) and both edit and contribute to ‘Supperstone, Goudie and Walker on Judicial Review’ (3rd edition 2005). Chambers edits Butterworth’s Local Government Law. Members of 11KBW contributed to Supperstone & Knapman Administrative Court Practice Judicial Review and to the recent title on Extradition in ‘Halsbury’s Laws of England (vol 17(2)). Clive Lewis QC’s book, Judicial Remedies in Public Law has also reached its third edition. Members of 11KBW are responsible for editing the Local Government Reports, published by Butterworths. Nigel Giffin QC contributed the chapter on Administrative Court Proceedings to Foskett, The Law and Practice of Compromise.
Our expertise
• Commercial Judicial Review
• Community Care & Social services
• Compulsory competitive tendering and public authority contracts
• Criminal law - search and seizure, decisions whether to prosecute, public interest immunity
• Education
• Elections & Governance
• Employment by Public Authorities
• Environmental law
• Freedom of Information and Data Protection
• Health
• Human rights and Civil liberties
• Housing including housing associations
• Immigration and Asylum
• Local government including local government finance
• Public inquiries
• Regulation of financial services, public authority contracts
Key recent cases
R (Brown) v SSWP, SSBERR, Royal Mail Group Ltd and Post Office Ltd
[2008] EWHC 3158 (Admin)Challenge to the Government's Post Office closure programme.
Mrs L Pulham v London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
ET, 5 November 2008Age Discrimination test case
R ota East Devon DC v Boundary Committee, Devon County Council (interested party)
Court of Appeal, Feb 2009Proposals for local government reorganisation under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007
R (Al-Saadoon and another) v. Secretary of State for Defence
[2009] EWCA Civ 7, CA, January 21 2009Prisoners in Iraq are not under UK jurisdiction
Pilling and others v. Reynolds and another
[2008] 1 All ER 163Ballot papers marked elsewhere than in the proper place or otherwise than by means of a cross were not deemed to be void if the voter’s intention to vote for a particular candidate was clear
Letting International Ltd v Newham LBC
[2008] EWHC 1583 (QB)In this landmark public procurement case, Nigel Giffin QC and Jason Coppel represented an unsuccessful tenderer who succeeded in overturning a contract award decision, and in obtaining a contract, on the grounds that the defendant authority had failed to make adequate disclosure of contract award criteria, sub-criteria and their weightings. In upholding the Claim, the High Court has called into question widespread and longstanding practice amongst other authorities and has provoked extensive further litigation by disappointed contractors
R(M) v London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
[2008] UKHL 14Provides important guidance about the respective responsibilities of local authority children’s and housing services towards homeless 16 and 17 year olds.
Risk Management Partners v London Borough of Brent
[2008] EWHC 1094 (Admin)Important implications for local authority powers, and in particular for the power to enter into “mutual” arrangements.
