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 highly confidential cases. 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.

Chambers Legal Directory, 2026

Deighton Pierce Glynn are ranked across the following five departments:

Administrative & Public Law: Traditional Claimant - Band 1, with 6 ranked lawyers. They have been ranked here for 16 years.

Example of work: Deighton Pierce Glynn represented HXF in a judicial review challenging the accommodation of asylum seekers on the Bibby Stockholm barge. This led to the closure of the barge.

"Deighton Pierce Glynn are an outstanding firm in this area."

"They have outstanding lawyers."

Civil Liberties & Human Rights - Band 1, with 8 ranked lawyers. They have been ranked here for 17 years.

Example of work: Deighton Pierce Glynn represented a group of twenty-two asylum seekers who were unlawfully detained at the Manston Short-Term Holding Facility in 2022.

"Deighton Pierce Glynn is first-rate. They achieve amazing things for their clients and are absolutely fearless."

"Deighton Pierce Glynn has a strong reputation across the whole breadth of civil liberties."

"Deighton Pierce Glynn is in the premier league of civil liberties firms."

"Deighton Pierce Glynn always have been one of the top top human rights firm across the board."

Inquests - Band 2, with 3 ranked lawyers. They have been ranked here for 2 years.

Example of work: Deighton Pierce Glynn represented the family of Kay Melhuish in an inquest arising out of her death in prison after failings to recognise her risk of suicide.

"Deighton Pierce Glynn are really available. Clients really trust them: they feel seen and heard by them which is important in inquests. They are well prepared. "

"The key thing is they combine real expertise in their specialist area especially in state related inquests. They are very knowledgeable about specialist. They have a real client focus."

"Deighton Pierce Glynn is still one of the main specialists for psychiatric and prison related deaths. They have national reach which is good for clients."

"Deighton Pierce Glynn are a leading firm in this area, especially when it comes to policing and protests."

"Deighton Pierce Glynn is at the very top of fighting for families. If I was ever a client in an inquest, I would choose DPG."

International Human Rights Law - Band 2, with 8 ranked lawyers. They have been ranked here for 4 years.

Example of work: Deighton Pierce Glynn represented a group of twenty-two asylum seekers who were unlawfully detained at the Manston Short-Term Holding Facility in 2022.

"Deighton Pierce Glynn is first-rate. They achieve amazing things for their clients and are absolutely fearless."

"Deighton Pierce Glynn has a strong reputation across the whole breadth of civil liberties."

"Deighton Pierce Glynn is in the premier league of civil liberties firms."

"Deighton Pierce Glynn always have been one of the top top human rights firm across the board."

Police Law: Mainly Claimant - Band 1, with 5 ranked lawyers. They have been ranked here for 20 years.

Example of work: Deighton Pierce Glynn represented a domestic abuse survivor in a complaint of failure to conduct a lawful investigation against the Metropolitan Police Service. The claim related to a complaint of rape the claimant made against her husband.

"For police work, DPG is one of the top firms."

"Deighton Pierce Glynn is a leading firm in this area, especially when it comes to policing and protests."

"They are a serious outfit and player in this space."

They also have a solicitor ranked under Immigration: Human Rights, Asylum and Deportation. He has been ranked here for 6 years.

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."

Legal 500 Directory, 2026

Deighton Pierce Glynn are ranked in the top bands for the following areas of law:

Administrative and public law: Deighton Pierce Glynn maintains its position as a leading force in administrative and public law, taking on complex, politically sensitive, and novel challenges across judicial review, inquiries, and private law proceedings. The firm remains resolutely committed to representing marginalised individuals and groups, often in legally aided matters, and is especially renowned for its work on migrants’ rights. The team’s head, Adam Hundt, is frequently instructed in prominent public law and procurement cases, advising major national organisations on matters of public interest. Daniel Carey leads on a standout caseload concerning national security, foreign policy, military detention, and data rights, reflecting his breadth of expertise across high-stakes public law matters. Sasha Rozansky is noted for her innovative work on migrants’ and women’s rights, having led a series of influential judicial review test cases. Emily Soothill strengthens the team’s reputation with her role in intricate public law challenges and group litigation against public bodies.

Example of work: Challenging the Home Secretary’s use of former Ministry of Defence site, RAF Wethersfield, as asylum accommodation.

Testimonials collated independently by Legal 500 research team:

‘A team with outstanding depth of expertise spanning the full spectrum of administrative law cases from the County Court to European Court of Human Rights. They can be trusted to win the confidence of clients facing a crisis and to steer them carefully towards the successful resolution of public law disputes. They think big, pushing the technical envelope of public law in order to reach positive outcomes that are often of broader effect beyond their individual clients.'

'A team with outstanding depth of expertise who can be trusted to win often challenging cases on behalf of marginalised clients and communities.'

Civil liberties and human rights: Deighton Pierce Glynn is well-regarded for its work in international human rights law, including litigation in supra-national courts, efforts to aid individuals left behind in Afghanistan with evacuation to the UK, and advice on the use of corporate governance tools, such as OECD complaints, to address human rights abuses linked to corporate activity abroad. Team lead Jo Eggleton is known for her work challenging police misconduct, particularly where racial discrimination is involved. Jane Deighton contributes significantly to this area through her representation of victims of racially motivated policing practices. Polly Glynn focuses on public law matters, including challenges to inadequate accommodation and support for Afghans under ‘Operation Warm Welcome’, while Sue Willman specialises in work relating to allegations of torture. Sasha Rozansky stands out in the area of migrant rights, successfully challenging Home Office policies. Gus Silverman leads the police accountability team in Bristol and brings extensive experience to the firm’s civil liberties practice.

Example of work: Advised in AAA (& 21 others) v Home Office, a multi-party damages claim against the Home Office on behalf of 22 asylum seekers arising from their unlawful detention at the controversial Manston Short-Term Holding Facility in Autumn 2022.

Testimonials collated independently by Legal 500 research team:

'Exceptional knowledge, commitment, and care with their clients and charity partners. DPG goes over and beyond. They are able and willing to take on tough cases and issues that need a change in the law so as to protect vulnerable people. I cannot rate them highly enough.'

'I work mostly with Polly Glynn and Megan Smith. Both are exceptional in terms of knowledge, commitment, and care with clients and important issues.'

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.