Civil liberties and human rights

Hodge Jones & Allen

Enjoying ‘one of the strongest reputations for civil liberties work’, Hodge Jones & Allen proves its mettle in claims against the police and state authorities, protest law matters, inquests, and public inquiries. A robust commitment to human rights inspires confidence in vulnerable individuals who have experienced tragic and distressing events, as well as those wrongfully arrested and mistreated while exercising their right to protest. The ’superb’ Susie Labinjoh helms the practice, and is a familiar face in civil actions against the police and prison service. Jocelyn Cockburn excels in bereavement matters, including inquests, deaths in custody, and military claims involving national security concerns, and Sasha Barton is ‘exemplary’ in her pursuit of novel claims based on Articles 3, 5, and 8 infringements. The ’intellectually formidable’ Cormac McDonough specialises in the representation of victims of maltreatment by the police and other state bodies. Maria O’Connell, who excels in civil liberties litigation, detention challenges, and prisoners’ rights, joined the team in October 2023 from Scott-Moncrieff & Associates Ltd. Alice Hardy left the firm in June 2023.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Excellent civil liberties and human rights lawyers, working on a range of often high-profile cases. They have particularly strong and cohesive team-working.’
‘HJA combines one of the strongest reputations for civil liberties work of any UK firm with an outstanding client service in every single case I have worked with the firm over many years. It has achieved an impressive size without any sacrifice in quality by its growth, which is testament to its in-house training and rigorous recruitment standard.’
‘Guy Mitchell has a variety of skills and experience enabling him to work on a variety of cases, including inquests, public law actions, and civil claims against the police and public bodies. He provides a quietly diligent and meticulous approach to cases and his work is first-rate.’
‘Susie Labinjoh is a superb lawyer, with excellent client care skills.’
‘Sasha Barton has vast legal knowledge.’
‘Cormac McDonough is highly experienced. He has a calm and very effective manner with clients. Excellent on the details.’
‘Sasha Barton has been exemplary. She is very knowledgeable, very patient in explaining my case to me where it feels complex. She is very empathic and can put herself in the shoes of the client. Her passion for her work and her desire to help me obtain justice shines through everything she says and does.’
‘Cormac McDonough is fantastic – an astute, calm, measured, and intellectually formidable solicitor who combines mastery of the details of the client’s case with a clear and forensic understanding of the law and the boundaries to be pushed or recognised in the developing areas in which the case may sit.’

Key clients

Ella Adoo Kissi Debrah
Core participants in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry
Extinction Rebellion
Night Stars
Undercover Policing Inquiry – International Solidarity Movement and others
AA and AB
Hillsborough families
Smith
Tostevin
Bailey
Lee Walker

Work highlights

Acted in a groundbreaking case using the ECtHR to shine a light on the impact of UK Government failures to protect life in relation to air pollution.
Represented over 40 core participants in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
Represented over 100 core participants at the UCPI and in associated criminal and civil cases.

Lawyers

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