Deighton Pierce Glynn is one of the leading civil rights and judicial review law firms in the UK.
Operating from offices in London and Bristol, we have ten core areas of practice detailed on the expertise pages of this website. Our staff are some of the very best people in the UK working in those practice areas. We are adept at conducting high-profile test cases and related campaigning work for individuals and organisations. We are equally committed to conducting less high-profile but no less important work for our clients, including cases which are highly confidential. We have acted in numerous leading cases up to and including the Supreme Court as well as the European Court of Human Rights.
Offering a high level of client care is an essential part of how we work. We are renowned for our commitment to our clients and for our skillful and determined use of the law to achieve their objectives. As a result, we receive excellent client feedback, so much so that most of our work now comes from word-of-mouth referrals whether from former clients, the NGOs and charities we work with, or from other lawyers.
Our reputation for excellence was highlighted in The Times Best Law Firms 2025 (for Administrative and Public Law and Human Rights) and is recognised year-on-year by the Chambers and Legal 500 independent directories who obtain confidential feedback from our clients, those with whom we work, and our opponents. For example:
Chambers Legal Directory, 2025
Deighton Pierce Glynn are ranked across the following five departments:
Administrative & Public Law: Traditional Claimant – Band 1, with six ranked lawyers. They have been ranked here for 15 years.
Example of work: Deighton Pierce Glynn represented a resident in a planning challenge against the Secretary of State for the Home Department and the Secretary of State for Levelling Up. It concerned their plans to accommodate 1,700 asylum seekers at Wethersfield Airfield.
“Deighton Pierce Glynn is a go-to firm for public law challenges, particularly where these relate to immigration detention and social welfare challenges.”
“The group is good at evidence gathering and they have good thoughts on the issues.”
Civil Liberties & Human Rights – Band 2, with seven ranked lawyers. They have been ranked here for 16 years.
Example of work: Deighton Pierce Glynn acted on behalf of numerous asylum-seekers in a multi-party damages claim against the Home Office challenging the use of Napier barracks and Tinsley House as asylum accommodations.
“Deighton Pierce Glynn does a fantastic range of work across a broad spectrum of public law and human rights. It has a really dedicated and skilled team of very experienced lawyers.”
“The team at Deighton Pierce Glynn are responsive and always go to great trouble to explain everything every step of the way.”
Inquests – Band 2, with one ranked lawyer. This is their first ranking in this department.
Example of work: Deighton Pierce Glynn represented the family members of Robert Fenlon in the inquest proceedings touching upon his death when in Woodhill Prison in 2016.
“The team takes the time explaining things to us.”
“The lawyers highlight issues clearly and they have a collaborative approach.”
International Human Rights Law – Band 2, with seven ranked lawyers. They have been ranked here for three years.
Police Law: Mainly Claimant – Band 1, with five ranked lawyers. They have been ranked here for 19 years.
Example of work: Deighton Pierce Glynn challenged the IOPC investigation following the deliberate use of force by armed officers that left the client’s son with a permanent, incapacitating brain injury. It was argued that the investigation breached the procedural duties under Articles 2 and 3 of the ECHR.
“Deighton Pierce Glynn are not afraid to take on difficult cases.”
“If someone asked me to recommend a firm for police or human rights issues, Deighton Pierce Glynn would be my recommendation.”
Chambers Legal Directory, 2024
Administrative & Public Law – UK-wide: “Frequently involved in bringing high-profile challenges to the UK government’s domestic and foreign policy on behalf of claimants. Notable emphasis on public law cases that intersect with equality, human rights and EU law. Has achieved significant results on behalf of victims of trafficking, immigration detainees and individuals affected by cuts to welfare benefits. Also acts on behalf of disability campaign groups to challenge cuts to healthcare access. Recent notable work includes challenges to UK surveillance policy.”
Civil Liberties & Human Rights – UK-wide: “Demonstrates a highly varied portfolio of claimant-focused work, ranging from the claiming of damages as a result of national security-related human rights infractions, to immigration detention and trafficking cases. The firm’s client base includes activists, NGOs and migrants. Offers capability in taking on cases funded by alternative sources including crowdfunding. Also handles cases and proceedings under the Equality Act concerning discrimination.”
Police Law – UK-wide: “Accomplished police actions team with a strong reputation for championing women’s rights and acting for claimants facing discrimination. Regularly acts on gendered forms of violence, such as domestic abuse. Advises on cases of deaths following police contact.”
Legal 500 Directory, 2025
Deighton Pierce Glynn are ranked in the top bands for the following areas of law:
Administrative and public law: ‘The public law and human rights practice at Deighton Pierce Glynn is headed by Adam Hundt in Bristol, who regularly works with NGOs and campaign groups. Hundt is also skilled with healthcare judicial reviews, especially concerning healthcare matters relating to immigration detention centres and prisons. Polly Glynn is ‘an exceptional solicitor with a thorough understanding of administrative and public law’, while Daniel Carey has expertise in cases relating to foreign policy and national security. Praised for being ’tenacious’ and ‘well-versed in judicial review’, Sasha Rozansky is another recommended member of the team. Connie Sozi and Ahmed Ali are also noted for their experience in the public law sector. Sozi advises claimants on a broad range of judicial reviews, including matters involving unlawful detention and denial of British citizenship. Ali has experience assisting clients with both judicial reviews and civil damages claims against the state.’
Civil liberties and human rights: With ‘unparalleled dedication and commitment to human rights issues’, Deighton Pierce Glynn is a hallmark in matters involving international human rights law and overseas human rights breaches. Routine work for the team includes representing families at complex inquests, advising victims of police misconduct, assisting individuals seeking release from detention under immigration powers, and providing specialist counsel to victims of modern slavery and human trafficking. Leadership of the team is split between Sarah Ricca, who is ’passionate and absolutely committed’ in challenges to discriminatory police responses to domestic violence and policing of minoritised communities, and Jo Eggleton, an authority in Article 2 claims against the prison service. Jane Deighton is a trailblazer in race discrimination claims, while Bharine Kalsi ‘inspires real confidence’ in inquests and actions against the police and state. Polly Glynn focuses on Articles 3 and 8 challenges, Sue Willman demonstrates ’meticulous attention to detail’ in strategic public and international human rights challenges, and Daniel Carey has played a pivotal role in seeking protection for vulnerable Afghan nationals. Zubier Yazdani, and Sasha Rozansky are further key names for championing migrant rights and victims of trafficking, with Gus Silverman active in actions against the police.
Legal 500 Directory, 2024
Administrative and public law: “Deighton Pierce Glynn fields a team ‘that is dedicated to pursuing the rights of some of the most marginalised people’, regularly taking on the most complex, novel, and high-profile challenges to public authorities in judicial review and private law proceedings, as well as inquiries. …is a leading contact in Bristol and is regularly instructed in significant public law and procurement challenges, while London-based managing partner … regularly handles cases concerning local authorities and accessible housing. … typically litigates against public bodies before the Administrative Court in judicial review and damages claims relating to state abuses. … recently represented a victim of domestic and sexual abuse who successfully challenged a local authority’s decision to grant licences to an unlimited number of strip clubs, while … has recently represented victims of trafficking threatened with deportation to Rwanda.””
Civil liberties and human rights: “With a strong reputation for handling cases with an international aspect, Deighton Pierce Glynn fields a ‘leading team in the field of civil liberties and human rights’; the group handles a large number of complex inquests related to deaths in prison and police custody, as well as having assisting victims of modern slavery and human trafficking. … co-leads the team and has vast experience bringing Article 2 claims against prisons, while co-head … work focuses primarily on discrimination law, including police responses to domestic violence and policing of minority communities. … is also a pioneer in the field of race discrimination claims against the police, with managing partner … having recently been asked to speak at the Joint Committee on Human Rights in relation to hotel accommodation for migrants. … is highly skilled in international human rights challenges, while … has recently represented victims of trafficking threatened with deportation to Rwanda. … recently represented a victim of domestic and sexual abuse who successfully challenged a local authority’s decision to grant licences to an unlimited number of strip clubs, and … ‘is at the forefront of advancing human rights law’. … is a key new arrival from Irwin Mitchell.”