"This Manchester-based set is highly regarded in the North for its long-standing commitment to civil liberties work, which interviewees recognise as being at the core of much of its members' work."

Chambers & Partners 2012

"...a highly respected player in the human rights field. Noted for its commitment to publicly funded work, this is the only set outside London to specialise in human rights."

Chambers & Partners 2008 more

GCN headlines that fact that it specialises in Human Rights law, and has been involved in many leading cases both domestically and in Europe. GCN is a leading human rights set outside London, and is well regarded in this area. Some of our most notable cases include; Ezeh and Connors v UK (regarding Art 6 in respect to representation at prison adjudications), R (Middleton) v HM Coroner (the application of Art 2 to Inquest verdicts), R (F and Thompson) v SSHD [2010] (the incompatibility of sexual offender notification requirement provisions with Article 8). Members have also been involved in a wide number of cases where human rights violations have been central to the issues particularly in the Immigration and Asylum fields, as well as international miscarriages of justice. Further, members of Chambers have recently been involved in death penalty work in the US, and on human rights missions to Bahrain and Colombia.

Members have experience in all aspects of human rights law and are happy to advise on such matters and undertake human rights challenges wherever relevant.

Chambers has a strong commitment to civil liberties and human rights and this is apparent throughout every area of specialisation:

• members of the crime team have brought cases before the European Court of Human Rights
• in public law and judicial review, members regularly pursue human rights challenges to administrative decision-making, particularly since the commencement of the Human Rights Act 1998
• the immigration team regularly undertake human rights applications and appeals
• members of the prison law team have been involved in leading cases including the successful Article 6 challenge to prison adjudications and provide in-house training to solicitors covering topics including prisoners and human rights law
• members of the housing and community care teams are experts in the field of human rights law and regularly employ arguments under the ECHR
• the employment team have published on the subject of discrimination and human rights
• Actions against the police are brought under the Human Rights Act
• members have been instructed in cases on the application of Article 2 to inquest proceedings
• members have expertise in human rights law relating to the Armed Forces.

Chambers is recommended as the leading set for human rights and civil liberties work "outside London" in the Chambers & Partners 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 > more

In addition, members' commitment to human rights is demonstrated through their involvement in organisations such as Inquest, Liberty, British Irish Rights Watch and Amicus (see Links for more details). Members also deliver seminars and training on aspects of human rights relating to all areas of specialisation, both through chambers activities and personal commitment to specific organisations.

> For more details of specific human rights experience view our barrister profiles or contact one of our clerks.

Other recommendations

"This Manchester-based set is highly regarded in the North for its long-standing commitment to civil liberties work, which interviewees recognise as being at the core of much of its members' work. (Chambers & Partners 2012) more

"Garden Court North is an impressive set that houses barristers who are "prompt, approachable and ready to do pro bono work." Solicitors favour the individuals here not just because of their evident legal skills, but also because they provide extremely useful seminars, newsletters and ad hoc advice." (Chambers & Partners 2011) more

" Garden Court North is the leading set for civil liberties work outside London." (Chambers & Partners 2009) more

"This Manchester-based set has experience in a wide range of human rights cases, touching on subjects such as immigration, race relations, social security, housing, discrimination, public law, police law and inquests. The set is instructed by leading human rights law firms in the North, the Midlands and London". (Chambers & Partners 2007, p1455)

"Interviewees comment that this Manchester-based chambers...is the 'only set in the North which has set its stall out to do human rights work.' Commentators report that this proactive set is cultivating a real human rights expertise in the North..." (Chambers & Partners 2006, p1575).

" 'top notch' and considered by practitioners to be 'the only noteworthy civil liberties outfit outside London'. Members deal with regional work raising important human rights issues, such as the Oldham and Burnley riot cases, as well as receiving wide-ranging national instructions". (Chambers and Partners 2005, p1626).