Protecting Your Rights - Public Law Solicitors

People from every walk of life have the right to be treated fairly. If you feel that your rights have been infringed, our public law and human rights lawyers may be able to help you make a legal challenge.

We can help you if you have been treated unfairly, discriminated against or had your rights infringed by:

Government departments
Local councils
Hospitals, care homes and health trusts
Schools and Local Education Authorities
Any public body.

Our experts can help you challenge these organisations if they treat you unfairly. We have a wealth of experience across all fields of public law, with the knowledge and skills to make sure that your rights are respected.

Challenging public bodies can be a lengthy process with multiple stages of complaints, appeals and referrals, and strict time limits at different points. Enlisting legal support and representation from our experienced team early in the process will help give your case the best possible chance of success. Our lawyers will guide you through every step of the process with friendly and professional support, explaining the development of your case in plain English so you are always kept up to date.

Our public law and human rights solicitors are regarded as some of the best in the country by legal directories Legal 500 & Chambers UK. We've previously taken cases all the way to the Supreme Court, European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights, so we're not daunted by any challenge. While we do seek to resolve cases with negotiation and mediation wherever possible, we'll take your fight as far as is necessary to get the results you deserve.

To find out more about how the Public Law & Human Rights team can help you, contact us online or speak to a member of our team by calling 0800 028 1943.

Leading UK Human Rights lawyers

Skilled negotiators and mediators

Experienced at Supreme Court

Offices around the country

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Protecting Your Rights - More Information

My daughter is still living in the community and the local authority is no longer trying to place her in a residential home. This is thanks to the expertise of Irwin Mitchell."

Client's Father

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Human Rights Act?

The Human Rights Act 1998 defends the basic rights of individuals, irrespective of age, gender, ethnicity and income. If you believe these rights have been breached, it allows you to have your case heard in a UK court rather than having to go to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

The full range of rights protected by the Act is extensive, but some of the main articles we deal with most often in cases of human rights abuses include:

Article 2 - Right to life
Article 3 - Freedom from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment
Article 5 - Right to liberty
Article 6 - Right to a fair trial
Article 8 - Right to family and private life
Article 14 - Freedom from discrimination

Public bodies and organisations have a responsibility to make sure your human rights are protected at all times. Such organisations might include:

The Government
The Police
Schools and Hospitals
Social Services
Councils
Certain Regulatory Bodies
Quangos and other organisations undertaking a public function

All these authorities may have an impact on our lives across a range of areas. The Human Rights Act is there to ensure that fundamental rights are upheld no matter what the circumstances. We should expect to be treated fairly, to have access to the healthcare and education we need, and have faith in the justice system.

Our solicitors understand the many different ways any infringement on these rights may affect people and their loved ones. We have extensive experience helping those who have been let down by the authorities get the justice they deserve.

Visit our Human Rights page for more information - or call us today for a free consultation on 0800 028 1943.

Why Choose Irwin Mitchell?

We have represented many people in a wide range of cases when their rights have been abused by the state and other authority bodies.

Some of our high profile cases include:

Successfully challenging proposed cuts to the social care budgets of Isle of Wight Council and Birmingham City Council, preventing some £50m of cuts from being implemented
Bringing a claim against Avon and Somerset Constabulary, who caused a victim's rape case to collapse when they lost crucial video testimonial
Representing the family of Abbi McAllister, who committed suicide after absconding from detention
Successfully challenging Warwickshire County Council’s proposed Local Offer consultation, which included cuts to short breaks for disabled children
Representing the mother of a disabled man in the landmark Cheshire West Supreme Court case, which led to significant improvement in care reviews for vulnerable adults
Successfully helping Lindsey Briggs challenge the end of life care given to her husband PC Paul Briggs, who was in a minimally conscious state following a road traffic collision

Our lawyers are passionate about achieving justice. We believe in a fair society and have successfully taken cases all the way to the Supreme Court, European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights.

Our expert team includes Fiona McGhie, who worked with Cerebra to update their guidelines on the arrest and detention of disabled children, and Yogi Amin, whom Chambers UK calls a "ground-breaking lawyer" and has previously won Social and Welfare Lawyer of the Year at the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards.

Whatever your situation, we have the expertise and dedication to help you. Contact the team today on 0800 028 1943 - or fill out our online enquiry form and we'll call you back.

How Do I Make Sure My Child Gets The SEN Support They Need?

Every child deserves the support they need to receive an education and education authorities have a responsibility to provide it. Our SEN lawyers can help with:

Having your child's special educational needs assessed
Transport to and from school
Statutory funding for independent school placements
Accessing support in schools and colleges
Organising home education
Challenging discrimination

Our dedicated team of specialist education law solicitors will help you voice concerns you may have about your child's education and negotiate solutions with schools, colleges and local authorities. If necessary we can raise your dispute at a Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal or appeal to judicial review.

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Protecting Your Rights - Public Law Solicitors

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Protecting Your Rights - More Information

Who Can Make A Public Law Claim?

What Is Judicial Review?

What Funding Is Available?

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