Irwin Mitchell

Human Rights and Public Law

Partner

I am a partner in the public law and human rights department, working with a team of specialist public lawyers. I specialise in children’s rights, community care, public law and court of protection (health and welfare).

I have nearly twenty years’ experience representing organisations and individuals in judicial review proceedings, challenging decisions of both local and central government, including policy decisions and cuts to services.

I have a particular interest in children’s rights, which mainly consists of representing children in bringing judicial review proceedings under the Children Act 1989, but I have also represented children (and adults) on a number of human rights issues.

I also represent vulnerable adults in the court of protection in s16 and s21A proceedings, and bring public law challenges against public bodies to ensure that they are receiving the services that they need. This includes damages claims.

Significant recent cases include:

WB & W v SSJ [2014] on the impact of a baby separated from it’s mother in prison. C v Walsall MBC [2017], challenging a child’s inclusion on the child protection register. Article 39 v DFE on the challenge of a Department for Education ’Myth Busting’ guide on looked after children and care leavers. Poole LBC v GN [2019] UKSC 25, acting pro bono for two intervening charities on the impact of the issues before the court on looked after children and care leavers.