Immigration – ranked top set
Two Garden Court Chambers "has remained true to its founding dedication to a focus on human rights, civil liberties and immigration, and retains the greatest concentration of immigration expertise. The vastly experienced Ian MacDonald QC is a special advocate to the Immigration Appeals Commission, an excellent choice for security-sensitive cases. Nationality expert Laurie Fransman QC is another excellent choice, and has a genuine depth of experience in cases involving European and international law. Of the juniors Richard Scannell is the best choice for security-sensitive cases, and can point to an impressive list of reported cases. Kathryn Cronin’s speciality is cases involving children, family matters and trafficked persons. Duran Seddon’s notable cases include asylum support case Yelo Cagi v Secretary of State. Frances Webber and Stephanie Harrison both have leading reputations for immigration and refugee law where family issues are involved. Highly experienced junior Nadine Finch is an ideal choice of advocate for cases where family, mental health and sexuality are involved. Her reported cases include House of Lords childcare case Sepet v SSHD."
Leading silks:Laurie Fransman QC, Ian MacDonald QC
Leading juniors:Richard Scannell, Stephanie Harrison, Frances Webber, Nadine Finch, Duran Seddon, Kathryn Cronin
Civil Liberties and Human Rights – ranked joint 2nd set
Two Garden Court Chambers "is a well-established and respected claimant set. Courtenay Griffiths QC and Leslie Thomas are acting for the majority of the families in the latest inquest into the New Cross fire, which opened in February 2004. Owen Davis QC acted for Liberty in two key cases on stop and search under the Terrorism Act 2000. Stephen Simblet has taken on a number of cases involving inquests and police claims, among them Keegan v Chief Constable of Merseyside, concerning malicious procurement of search warrants."
Leading silks:Courtenay Griffiths QC, Owen Davies QC, Henry Blaxland QC
Leading juniors: Terry Munyard, Stephanie Harrison, Frances Webber, Leslie Thomas and Stephen Simblet
Administrative and Public Law – ranked joint 3rd set
"is unsurpassed in applicant housing and asylum support work. Landmark cases invariably seem to go to Jan Luba QC, recent examples being Harrow London BC v Qazi and Al-Ameri v Kensington and Chelsea Royal London BC (both in the House of Lords). Stephen Knafler also ‘really knows his stuff’ on housing and asylum. Owen Davies QC specialises in cases with civil liberties implications, such as the recent action by claimants searched under anti-terrorist legislation while en route to a demonstration against an arms fair."
Leading silks:Jan Luba QC and Owen Davies QC
Leading juniors: Stephen Knafler and Stephanie Harrison
Crime – ranked joint 3rd set
"Criminal law is one aspect of the work done at ‘socially aware’ Two Garden Court. Henry Blaxland QC continues to command a substantial reputation for civil liberties work and for claims against the police. Owen Davies QC is standing counsel for Greenpeace."
Environment
Owen Davies QC ranked as a leading silk