Recognised as a “leader in his field”, Adam’s areas of expertise include; judicial review litigation; Human rights law; Public inquiries; Inquests and Information law – GDPR, PECR, FOI and EIRs.In his judicial review practice he acts for both claimants and defendants with cases arising out of criminal investigations – including challenges to search warrants and arrests - regulatory proceedings and all aspects of policy development and implementation. His experience includes taking cases in the European Court of Human Rights and the European Court of Justice.Adam also has very significant experience in acting for parties involved in public inquiries.Adam’s data protection work ranges from compliance advice through to advising on responses to information security breaches and appeals against decisions of the ICO.
England - London • Public sector
Kingsley Napley LLP
Kingsley Napley LLP combines considerable breadth and depth of public and administrative law expertise with the firm’s work in judicial review spanning a wide array of key sectors; recent highlights include proceedings with a nexus to real estate and construction, technology, healthcare, and higher education, amongst others. Practice head Sophie Kemp is a seasoned appellate litigator and specialist in judicial review, offering deep experience in large and complex institutional responses to public inquiries. With over three decades of experience, Adam Chapman is highly regarded for his expertise regarding public inquiries, major inquests, and information law, while Nick Wrightson’s practice focuses heavily on commercial and regulatory judicial review.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team is very focussed and ensures that the right people are in situ to provide the right advice. I also find them extremely organised in terms of setting out clearly what their terms are, their likely costs and their contractual arrangements. The advice given is very precise and detailed and the quality of their correspondence is exceptional.’
‘Nick Wrightson and Adam Chapman are both extremely approachable and I feel I can contact either of them at a moment's notice.’
‘Dealing with the practice was smooth and uneventful to the extent that administering my case was never worrying. My attention could easily concentrate on the excellent professional advice and information I was given.’
‘They kept me abreast of developments without having to be pursued, were clearly quick to grasp the essentials within my issues, and had a friendly and reassuring demeanour throughout.’
‘A superb mixed team of specialists able to cater for any administrative or public law case.’
‘Key star is Nick Wrightson, a new partner with an outstanding judicial review and public law practice. Nick is able to turn his hand to anything. He is highly knowledgeable, experienced, creative and inventive.’
‘Singularly exceptional attention to detail and preparation for hearing makes them a dream to work with.’
‘Reliable, organised, calm - everything a professional client could want. An attentiveness to the needs of the lay client which marries the personal and empathetic with the practical and pragmatic.’
Key clients
- Payment Systems Regulator
- Superintendent Robyn Williams
- The Institute of Faculty of Actuaries
- Kate Brunner KC (in her capacity as Chair of the Isle of Man Independent COVID Review)
- University of Cambridge
- The Catholic Council for the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse
- Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales
- 18 former employees of the London Fire Brigade
- Intellectual Property Regulation Board
- Free Speech Union
Work highlights
- Acting for the Payment Systems Regulator in the judicial review being brought against it.
- Acted for Superintendent Williams in successfully resisting a judicial review by the Metropolitan Police seeking to have her dismissed.
- Acted for the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries in defending a judicial review challenging the independence and impartiality of its disciplinary structure.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading individuals
Next Generation Partners
Nick is a partner with a highly regarded specialist administrative and public law practice, focused on three main areas: Judicial review and other forms of public law litigation Public inquiries (supporting core participants, witnesses and evidence providers) Complex inquests (supporting interested persons and witnesses) Nick advises prominent private companies, public bodies, organisations and individuals – often in high stakes, politically and commercially sensitive cases. He also advises on the interpretation of legislation and regulation, professional disciplinary proceedings and freedom of information matters. His experience covers a wide range of sectors including financial services, property, education, energy and policing. He is described in legal directories as “a superstar in the making. Great diligence and intellect with careful client skill." They also say he “sees points others wouldn't even begin to think of” and “his analysis of any given situation gets right to the heart of the issues and his advice is always spot on." Nick’s recent clients include Companies, regulators, a UK political party and senior police officers in judicial review proceedings. Companies, regulators, religious organisations and senior individuals in public inquiries and independent reviews. An internationally renowned university in a complex inquest relating to a terrorist attack. The Prime Minister of Mauritius in an appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Two NGOs in a UK Supreme Court intervention relating to environmental litigation. Publications Nick has written for the leading public law journal ‘Judicial Review’ and is a regular contributor to the ‘New Law Journal’ as well as providing content for Practical Law and LexisNexis. He has spoken at key conferences in his field and is a Solicitor-Advocate (Higher Courts Civil Proceedings).
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Sophie Kemp