Public & Regulatory Law

As one of London's leading common law sets, 7 Bedford Row has been instructed in a wide range of cases in the fields of public law and regulatory work. Drawing on our reputation for excellence in advocacy and our strength in linked areas, we have been involved in diverse cases covering education, social care, mental health, medical ethics, prison law, data protection and information sharing. We have extensive experience of judicial review including in the criminal arena.

We are recognised for our public inquiry work, having been involved, over the last two decades, in many of the most controversial inquiries. We are frequently instructed in complex inquests, particularly those focusing on the appropriateness of medical treatment.

Regulatory and disciplinary tribunals are another area of specialisation, with members appearing on both sides in internal disciplinary and professional misconduct proceedings regulating, for example, sporting activity, medical practitioners, and the activities of companies and individuals operating in the financial sector.

Recent cases include:

The Bloody Sunday Inquiry

R v Secretary of State for the Home Department & The Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis exp Haw: the application of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 to a continuing demonstration in Parliament Square

The Bichard Inquiry: the public inquiry into child protection procedures applied by police forces in the aftermath of the Soham murders

The De Menezes inquest: the inquest into the shooting of Jean Charles De Menezes at Stockwell underground station in 2005

Secretary of State for Education & Skills v Mairs: challenging the decision to place a social worker concerned with the care of Victoria Climbie on a list of those unsuitable to work with children

British Horseracing Authority v Tierney: the decision by horse racing's disciplinary body to ban a trainer in a case in which a horse had been used as a ringer.