Brick Court Chambers

Jennifer MacLeod

Jennifer MacLeod

YEAR OF CALL: England and Wales: 2013; New York: 2013 (currently non-practising); Ireland: 2018

“A star of her generation”
Legal 500, 2021
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Jennifer MacLeod is a leading junior barrister who is particularly sought after for her experience in complex, challenging and high-profile litigation.  She has a wide ranging practice, recognised by the national and international directories where she is ranked in seven different fields. She has particularly notable expertise in the broad areas of human rights, public, and competition law.  

She attracts significant praise in the directories, where she has been described as:

  • “One of those rare barristers who can really change the fortunes of a case”
  • “The kind of barrister that solicitors dream of working with”
  • “A star of her generation”
  • “An outstanding and decisive junior”
  • “A superb litigator”
  • “An intellectual force”
  • “Phenomenal – clever, sensitive and powerful as an advocate”
  • “Exceptionally clever and deeply committed to cases. She’s a delight to work with”
  • “Phenomenally quick, a great team player and a fantastic strategist.  She is the full package”
  • “A real leading light who will go far”
  • “Absolutely outstanding”
  • “A real rising star”
  • “Simply brilliant”
  • “Incredibly impressive”
  • “Superlative”

Jennifer frequently appears in the High Court, Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT), the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), and other international tribunals and treaty bodies. 

She is particularly experienced in acting unled, as she often acts as sole advocate, both domestically and internationally, and is recommended in the directories for her “superlative” and “exceptional” oral advocacy.

She acts for a range of clients, from multinational corporations to government and public bodies, NGOs and private individuals.   She has been appointed to the Attorney General’s B Panel of Counsel, as well as the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s B Panel. She was called to the Bar in Ireland in 2018 and is a member of the Law Library.

She was a founding board member of Lawyers against Abuse and is a current board member of JUSTICE.

 

Expand All
  • Civil liberties and human rights M

    Jennifer is described in the directories as a “star of her generation” and a “leading light” in civil liberties and human rights (see Legal 500, 2021), building on her experience in a range of human rights and development organisations prior to joining the Bar.  She is particularly adept at handling “complex human rights-related disputes” (C&P 2023) and the directories recognise her experience in both the domestic and international courts (see C&P 2024).

    She has been involved in litigation covering an array of human rights violations; from systemic discrimination and violence against women, to the limits of the right to privacy; from the use of indiscriminate weaponry to commercial property rights claims. She regularly appears in the higher courts in the UK as well as the ECtHR, CJEU and UN treaty bodies.

    Jennifer also acts for a wide range of clients.  She undertakes extensive pro bono work, (including for NGOs and campaigning organisations as well as individuals), for which she has been nominated for numerous prizes, winning the Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year award in 2019 and again (jointly) in 2020. She has been appointed to the Equality and Human Rights’ Commission’s B Panel and the Attorney General’s B Panel and is noted in the directories as being “sought after by both government bodies and private companies” (C&P, 2023).

    Her notable instructions include:

    • X v Russia (Human Rights Committee) junior counsel for a human rights defender expelled from Russia for exercising rights to freedom of speech.
    • O’Caroll v Meta (High Court) junior counsel for the claimant in a challenge based on the “right to object” to facebook’s advertising.
    • AAA and others v SSHD (Div Court, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court), junior counsel for UNHCR in relation to the challenge to the legality of the government’s policy to remove certain asylum seekers to Rwanda.
    • WS v Bulgaria (CJEU) junior counsel for UNHCR, addressing the eligibility of women victims of violence for refugee or other protected status (led by Marie Demetriou QC).
    • Semenya v Switzerland (ECtHR) acting for the South African Human Rights Commission in respect of Caster Semenya’s application to the ECtHR regarding IAAF rules on competition (in a team led by Jeremy Gauntlett QC).
    • Siddiqui v Siddiqui (Court of Appeal) junior counsel working with specialist family counsel for the parents of an adult child, successfully resisting a novel claim for child maintenance alleging discrimination on the basis of the living status of the parents.
    • R (EA and others) v Chairman of the Manchester Arena Inquiry (Div Court, Court of Appeal, ECtHR) junior counsel in a judicial review of the Chairman of the Inquiry’s refusal to grant core participant status to survivors of the Manchester Arena attack. 
    • EVAW v DPP (Div Court, Court of Appeal) junior counsel for the End Violence against Women Coalition in a challenge to the CPS’s change of approach to prosecuting rape.
    • R (JCWI) v President of the Upper Tribunal (High Court) junior counsel in a successful judicial review of the change in procedure in the Upper Tribunal to hold hearings on paper “by default” during the Covid-19 pandemic.
    • Inquest into the death of Harry Richford (North East Kent Coroner’s Court), leading a high-profile three week Article 2 inquest into the tragic death of a baby in hospital, on behalf of the family.
    • AZY and ors v DPP and ors (High Court) junior counsel in a Human Rights Act damages claim for victims of grooming gangs in Rochdale regarding their treatment by the police and the CPS. 
    • Inquest into the death of Jake and Chloe Ford (North East Kent Coroner’s Court) leading a high-profile inquest into the death of young twins killed by their mother, on behalf of their father. 
    • A v UK (CEDAW Committee) leading an application on behalf of an individual alleging that the UK has failed to comply with the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Violence against Women in respect of its treatment of victims of gender-based violence.
    • RR v SSWP (Supreme Court) successful intervention on behalf of Liberty, CPAG and PLP on the extent to which statutory authorities are required to disapply secondary legislation in breach of Convention rights (led by Martin Chamberlain QC).
    • Tishkina v Bulgaria (ECtHR) acting for applicants in Bulgaria to the ECtHR claiming breaches under Article 8 and A1P1 in respect of illegal mining (unled).
    • R (Phil Newby) v Ministry of Justice; R (Omid T) v Ministry of Justice (Div Court; Court of Appeal) junior counsel for various claimants in challenges to the legality of the prohibition on assisted dying for those with serious medical conditions who are unable to end their own lives (led by Paul Bowen QC).
    • X v Poland (ECtHR) acting for ClientEarth in respect of an application to the ECtHR for a claimant who was refused standing to judicially review Poland’s Air Quality Plans (unled).
    • Coppin v Ireland (Committee on the Convention against Torture) junior counsel for Elizabeth Coppin in her claim against Ireland for internment and mistreatment in Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries.
    • X & Y v Russia (CEDAW Committee) counsel for the interveners, Equality Now, supporting the applicants in their successful claim that Russian laws on domestic violence (including the requirement for victims to bring private prosecutions) are discriminatory (unled). 
    • Tagayeva and others v Russia (ECtHR) a successful claim under Article 2 against Russia for its failures in relation to the Beslan hostage crisis (assisting Counsel at the European Human Rights Advocacy Centre). 
    • R (Japan Tobacco International and others) v Secretary of State for Health (High Court, Court of Appeal) representing the manufacturers of tobacco products in a challenge under A1P1 and Article 17 to the UK’s plain packaging regulations (led by David Anderson QC).
    • X and Y v Georgia (CEDAW Committee) a successful claim against Georgia alleging systemic discrimination in relation to domestic violence victims.
    • Mirga v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Samin v Westminster City Council (Supreme Court) representing the AIRE Centre, interveners in two claims which considered the extent of EU citizenship and the ‘right to reside’ (led by Marie Demetriou QC).
    • Nicklinson v UK (ECtHR) representing Jane and Tony Nicklinson alleging breach of their procedural Article 8 rights in relation to the prohibition on assisted dying (led by Paul Bowen QC).
    • Assisting and advising on cases before the ECtHR, including Barakhoyev and Keligov v Russia (abduction, torture and ill-treatment in North Ossetia) and Taganova & Esartia v Russia and Mamasakhlisi and other v Georgia and Russia (ethnic cleansing in Abkhazia). 
    • Assisted David Anderson QC in his Review of Investigatory Powers, involving consideration of surveillance, security and privacy law in the UK, EU and ECHR.
  • Commercial M

    Jennifer accepts instructions in all areas of Chambers’ commercial practice, and across a range of industry sectors.  She maintains a flexible practice, and is equally at home cross-examining, advising, or making submissions on an array of high value commercial claims, including class actions.

    Her current and recent work includes:

    • Franked Investments Group Litigation (Supreme Court, High Court) junior counsel for HMRC acting with specialist tax counsel in two Supreme Court cases and their remittal relating to long running litigation regarding the claiming back of tax unlawfully levied, in particular addressing issues of limitation for mistakes of law and compound interest.  
    • Coll v Google, Kent v Apple (CAT) junior counsel in respect of large class actions brought against Apple and Google alleging abuse of dominance in respect of their conduct in respect of app distribution and in-app payments (in a team led by Mark Hoskins KC).
    • Afren Plc and others v Osman Shahenshah and others (High Court) defending a case for over $1bn arising out of the administration of an oil exploration company and involving claims of bribery (settled summer 2018) (led by Mark Howard QC and Fionn Pilbrow).
    • CIGA v Thermabead (High Court, Court of Appeal) defending an application for a stay for arbitration under s9 of the Arbitration Act 1996 (settled spring 2019) (unled).
    • BritNed v ABB (High Court, Court of Appeal) Representing the defendant in a five-week trial in the High Court on the quantum applicable to a breach of statutory duty for competition law infringements (led by Mark Hoskins QC and Sarah Ford QC). 
    • Bentley v GTI (High Court), an expedited trial arising out of a refusal to supply (settled March 2016) (led by Charles Hollander QC).
  • Competition M

    Jennifer is consistently ranked as a leading junior in competition law: she is described as “an outstanding junior, one of the future stars of the competition bar.  She is razor-sharp, has a phenomenal work ethic and is 100% committed to each and every case” (Legal 500, 2021).   She is noted as being “intertwined in the leading cases in this area” (C&P, 2023).

    She acts both led and unled in the Competition Appeal Tribunal and the High Court, and has appeared as junior counsel in many of the leading cases in competition law in recent years.  She is recognised in the directories for her particular experience in fighting trials in the UK courts, including the first pure excessive pricing case in the UK (Pfizer v CMA) and the subsequent cases brought by the CMA (Hg, Cinven v CMA, Pfizer and Flynn v CMA) as well as the first cartel damages trial and appeal (BritNed v ABB) and the first collective proceedings trial in the CAT (Le Patourel v BT).

    She works on both standalone and follow-on claims, and has extensive experience of both individual and class actions.  She has attracted praise for her work on a range of competition law work: from high-value cartel follow-on damages claims including on power cables, trucks, foam, air cargo, CRTs and envelopes, to class actions, smaller commercial actions dealing with competition law arguments, and CMA appeals.  She has notable experience of abuse of dominance claims for defendants, authorities and claimants.

    She also regularly advises, typically on an unled basis, economic undertakings as to the lawfulness of their arrangements as a matter of competition law, in which she has acted in a range of spheres.

    Notable instructions include:

    • Hg, Cinven and Advanz Pharma v CMA (CAT) Junior counsel for the CMA successfully defending its decision fining a range of pharmaceutical companies for excessive pricing in relation to liothyronine tablets.
    • Le Patourel v BT (CAT) Sole counsel for the CMA intervening in the first collective proceedings trial in the CAT.
    • Cabo v MGA (High Court) Junior counsel defending claims for abuse of dominance in the toy sector, relating to LOL Surprise! dolls (led by Victoria Wakefield QC).
    • Kent v Apple (CAT) Junior counsel for an estimated class of c. 20m claimants who have made payments to Apple in the App Store, alleging abuse of dominance (in a team led by Mark Hoskins QC).
    • Coll v Google (CAT) Junior counsel for an estimated class of c. 20m claimants who have made payments to Google, alleging various abuses of dominance (in a team led by Mark Hoskins QC).
    • Genius Sports v Soft Construct and ors (High Court) Counsel for the defendant sports betting company in respect of allegations of breaches of IP rights, raising defences under competition law (led by Danny Jowell QC).
    • Flynn and Pfizer v CMA (CAT, Court of Appeal, CAT) Junior counsel for the CMA in the first and second appeal by pharmaceutical companies against the fine imposed for excessive pricing on anti-epileptic drugs.
    • BritNed v ABB (High Court, Court of Appeal) Representing the defendant in the first cartel damages trial over 5 weeks in the High Court, and on appeal (led by Mark Hoskins QC and Sarah Ford QC). 
    • Litigation concerning the CRT cartel (High Court, CAT) Representing one of the defendants in a series of complex follow-on damages actions in the CRT sector (led by Marie Demetriou QC).
    • Litigation concerning the trucks cartel (CAT) Representing Volvo/Renault in a number of follow-on damages actions, including class actions, in the trucks sector (led in a team by Mark Hoskins QC and Sarah Ford QC).
    • Red & White Services Ltd v Phil Anslow Ltd (High Court) Acting for the defendant to a trespass claim raising defences of collusion and abuse of dominance (unled) (settled July 2018).
    • Breasley Pillows v Vita and others; Hilding Anders and others v Vita and others (High Court, CAT) Representing the defendant in follow-on damages actions resulting from a foam cartel in both the CAT and the High Court (settled 2016) (led by Mark Hoskins QC). In particular, Jennifer acted unled in the first decision by the CAT on the fast-track procedure in follow-on damages actions.
  • EU M

    Jennifer has significant experience of a wide range of EU law disputes, and is noted as having “particular experience dealing with regulatory and EU-related issues” (C&P, 2020).  As well as advising clients from an array of different industries, she regularly litigates issues entailing points of EU law in both the domestic and EU courts, where she remains qualified to practice following her call to the Bar in Ireland in 2018. 

    She is comfortable dealing with intricate regulatory structures and has particular experience in data protection, pharmaceutical, intellectual property and free movement disputes. 

    Notable instructions include:

    • ClientEarth v Commission (General Court) acting for ClientEarth and other NGOs in a challenge to the European Commission’s designation of fossil gas as sustainable under the EU taxonomy (unled, with Hugo Leith).
    • O’Caroll v Meta (High Court) junior counsel for the claimant in a high profile challenge on the “right to object” to facebook’s advertising.
    • WS v Bulgaria (CJEU) junior counsel for UNHCR, addressing the eligibility of women victims of violence for refugee or other protected status (led by Marie Demetriou QC)
    • openDemocracy v Secretary of State for Health and NHS England junior counsel in linked claims by openDemocracy in respect of the disclosure of contracts and the provision of data protection impact assessments relating to the Covid-19 datastore (led by Victoria Wakefield QC) (settled spring 2020/spring 2021).
    • Franked Investments Group Litigation (Supreme Court, High Court) junior counsel for HMRC in two Supreme Court cases relating to long running litigation regarding the claiming back of tax unlawfully levied, in particular addressing issues of limitation for mistakes of law, and EU defences to restitution and compound interest.  
    • Govia Thameslink Railway Ltd v ASLEF (High Court, Court of Appeal), junior counsel for the owner of the Southern Rail franchise in a high-profile attempt to injunct a trade union on the basis of free movement rights (settled prior to determination of Supreme Court application).
    • Bank Mellat v Council and others (CJEU) representing Bank Mellat in its appeal to the CJEU in relation to the imposition of general sanctions (led in a team including Richard Blakeley).
    • R (Japan Tobacco International and others) v Secretary of State for Health (High Court, Court of Appeal) representing the manufacturers of tobacco products in a challenge to the UK’s plain packaging regulations (led by David Anderson QC).
    • R (Philip Morris Brands SARL and others) v Secretary of State for Health (CJEU) representing JTI, interested parties in the challenge to the Second Tobacco Products Directive (led by James Flynn QC).
    • Mirga v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Samin v Westminster City Council (Supreme Court) represented the AIRE Centre, interveners in two claims which considered the extent of EU citizenship and the ‘right to reside’ (led by Marie Demetriou QC).
    • R (LetterOne Holdings SA and others v Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change) (High Court) a judicial review of the issuance of a Notice requiring a change of control of petroleum production licenses due to concerns regarding the sanctions regime (settled July 2015) (led by Mark Howard QC, Martin Chamberlain QC and Sarah Ford).
  • Pharmaceuticals M

    In Jennifer’s public law and competition practice she regularly deals with issues arising in the pharmaceutical sector. 

    She has acted, in particular, as junior counsel for the CMA, in a range of cases entailing complex questions of pharmaceutical pricing (including Flynn and Pfizer v CMA (CAT, Court of Appeal) and Hg, Cinven and Advanz Pharma v CMA (CAT)). 

    She has also advised a range of generic and originator companies in disputes arising out of issues to do with licensing/marketing authorisations, and in respect of competition issues.

  • Public and Administrative M

    Jennifer has an extensive public law practice, and is frequently instructed in high-profile, complex and creative challenges.  She is recommended in the directories as an “excellent strategic public lawyer” who is “frequently instructed in all types of judicial review” (C&P, 2020, 2021).  Her led and unled work encompasses the full ambit of public law: from judicial reviews entailing multifaceted elements of EU or and data protection law; to human rights claims in the international courts; as well as acting in a wide range of tribunals, inquests, regulatory actions and claims against public bodies. 

    Jennifer has been appointed to the Equality and Human Rights’ B Panel and the Attorney General’s B Panel of counsel and is noted in the directories as being “sought after by both government bodies and private companies in a range of public law challenges” (C&P, 2023).  She has acted for a range of commercial bodies, particularly in multifaceted regulatory matters involving elements of international and EU law.  Many of these claims require a consideration of the rights of such bodies and entail A1P1, intellectual property, licensing and free movement issues. 

    As set out above, Jennifer also has particular expertise in human rights and civil liberties, building on her experience prior to coming to the Bar. She undertakes extensive pro bono work, including for NGOs and campaigning organisations as well as individuals, for which she has been nominated for numerous prizes, and for which she received the Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year award in 2019 and again (jointly) in 2020.

    Her notable instructions include:

    • R (L1T FM Holding UK Limited) v Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy counsel for interested party in expedited judicial review relating to the forced divestment of a company under the National Security and Investment Act 2021 (unled).
    • O’Caroll v Meta (High Court) junior counsel for the claimant in a high profile challenge on the “right to object” to facebook’s advertising.
    • AAA and others v SSHD (Div Court, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court) junior counsel for UNHCR in relation to the legality of the government’s policy to remove certain asylum seekers to Rwanda.
    • ClientEarth v Commission (General Court) acting for ClientEarth and other NGOs in a challenge to the European Commission’s designation of fossil gas as sustainable under the EU taxonomy (unled, with Hugo Leith).
    • R (Defend Digital Me) v Secretary of State for Education acting for Defend Digital Me in a judicial review of the retention of data relating to school attendance (unled).
    • Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry junior counsel for the Post Office in Sir Wyn William’s Inquiry into a range of issues arising out of the use of the Horizon IT system.
    • Condon v HM Coroner for the Area of Avon (Div Court) successful application for the quashing of an inquest and the order of a new inquest into the tragic death of an infant following a change of position in an NHS Trust (unled)
    • openDemocracy v Secretary of State for Health and NHS England junior counsel in linked claims by openDemocracy in respect of the disclosure of contracts and the provision of data protection impact assessments relating to the Covid-19 datastore (led by Victoria Wakefield QC) (settled spring 2020/spring 2021).
    • R (JCWI) v President of the Upper Tribunal (High Court) junior counsel in a judicial review of the change in procedure in the Upper Tribunal to hold hearings on paper “by default” during the Covid-19 pandemic.
    • R (EA and others) v Chairman of the Manchester Arena Inquiry (Div Court, Court of Appeal, ECtHR) junior counsel in a judicial review of the Chairman’s decision to refuse to allow survivors of the Manchester Arena attack ‘core participant’ status. 
    • Inquest into the death of Harry Richford (North East Kent Coroner’s Court), leading a high-profile three week Article 2 inquest into the tragic death of a baby in hospital, on behalf of the family.
    • EVAW v DPP (Div Court, Court of Appeal) junior counsel acting for the End Violence against Women Coalition in a challenge to the CPS’s change of approach to prosecuting rape.
    • Rana and others v Secretary of State for Defence successful claim on behalf of Gurkha pensioners seeking reconsideration of changes to pension schemes for certain classes of pensioners (led by Martin Chamberlain QC / unled for later parts of claim) (settled July 2020).
    • Inquest into the death of Jake and Chloe Ford (North East Kent Coroner’s Court), leading a high-profile inquest into the death of young twins killed by their mother, on behalf of their father. 
    • RR v SSWP (Supreme Court) a successful intervention on behalf of Liberty, CPAG and PLP on the extent to which statutory authorities are required to disapply secondary legislation in breach of Convention rights (led by Martin Chamberlain QC).
    • Franked Investments Group Litigation (Supreme Court, High Court) junior counsel for HMRC in two Supreme Court cases and their remittal relating to long running litigation regarding the claiming back of tax unlawfully levied, in particular addressing issues of limitation for mistakes of law and compound interest.  
    • R (Phil Newby) v Ministry of Justice; R (Omid T) v Ministry of Justice (Div Court) junior counsel for various claimants challenging the legality of the prohibition on assisted dying for those with serious medical conditions who are unable to end their own lives (led by Paul Bowen QC).
    • Tishkina v Bulgaria (ECtHR) acting for applicants in Bulgaria to the ECtHR claiming breaches under Article 8 and A1P1 in respect of illegal mining (unled).
    • R (ICAEW) v Lord Chancellor (Div Court) successful defence of a judicial review in relation to the Lord Chancellor’s decision to refuse to authorise the ICAEW as an approved regulator for legal services (led by Victoria Wakefield).
    • X v Poland (ECtHR) acting for ClientEarth in respect of an application to the ECtHR for a claimant who was refused standing to judicially review Poland’s Air Quality Plans (unled).
    • Coppin v Ireland (Committee on the Convention against Torture) junior counsel for Elizabeth Coppin in her claim against Ireland for internment and mistreatment in Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries.
    • X & Y v Russia (CEDAW Committee) counsel for the interveners, Equality Now, supporting the applicants in their successful claim that Russian laws on domestic violence (including the requirement for victims to bring private prosecutions) were discriminatory (unled). 
    • Tagayeva and others v Russia (ECtHR) a successful claim under Article 2 against Russia for its failures in relation to the Beslan hostage crisis (assisting Counsel at the European Human Rights Advocacy Centre). 
    • R (Japan Tobacco International and others) v Secretary of State for Health (High Court, Court of Appeal) representing the manufacturers of tobacco products in a challenge to the UK’s plain packaging regulations (led by David Anderson QC).
    • X and Y v Georgia (CEDAW Committee) a successful claim against Georgia alleging systemic discrimination in relation to domestic violence victims.
    • Mirga v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Samin v Westminster City Council (Supreme Court) represented the AIRE Centre, interveners in two claims which considered the extent of EU citizenship and the ‘right to reside’ (led by Marie Demetriou QC).
    • Nicklinson v UK (ECtHR) represented Jane and Tony Nicklinson alleging breach of their procedural Article 8 rights in relation to the prohibition on assisted dying (led by Paul Bowen QC).
    • Assisting and advising on cases before the ECtHR, including Barakhoyev and Keligov v Russia (abduction, torture and ill-treatment in North Ossetia) and Taganova & Esartia v Russia and Mamasakhlisi and other v Georgia and Russia (ethnic cleansing in Abkhazia). 
    • R (LetterOne Holdings SA and others v Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change) (High Court) a judicial review of the issuance of a Notice requiring a change of control of petroleum production licenses due to concerns regarding the sanctions regime (settled July 2015) (led by Mark Howard QC, Martin Chamberlain QC and Sarah Ford).
    • Assisted David Anderson QC in his Review of Investigatory Powers, involving consideration of surveillance, security and privacy law in the UK, EU and ECHR.
  • Public international law M

    Jennifer’s public law and human rights practice necessarily entails significant issues of public international law.  In both her domestic and her international work, she is often asked to advise and act on issues of public international law.

    Jennifer has particular expertise in international human rights, and she has been instructed both led and unled before the UN treaty bodies such as the CEDAW Committee and the CAT as well as the ECtHR.  She also has experience in acting in domestic and EU challenges based on rules of international law.

    Her notable instructions include:

    • X v Russia (Human Rights Committee) junior counsel for a human rights defender expelled from Russia for exercising rights to freedom of speech.
    • AAA and others v SSHD (Div Court, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court) junior counsel for UNHCR in relation to the legality of the government’s policy to remove certain asylum seekers to Rwanda.
    • WS v Bulgaria (CJEU) junior counsel for UNHCR, addressing the eligibility of women victims of violence for refugee or other protected status (led by Marie Demetriou QC)
    • Semenya v Switzerland (ECtHR) acting for the South African Human Rights Commission in respect of Caster Semenya’s application to the ECtHR regarding IAAF rules on competition (in a team led by Jeremy Gauntlett QC)
    • A v UK (CEDAW Committee) acting on behalf of an individual alleging that the UK has failed to comply with the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Violence against Women in respect of its treatment of victims of gender-based violence (unled).
    • Tishkina v Bulgaria (ECtHR) acting for applicants in Bulgaria to the ECtHR claiming breaches under Article 8 and A1P1 in respect of illegal mining (unled).
    • X v Poland (ECtHR) acting for ClientEarth in respect of an application to the ECtHR for a claimant who was refused standing to judicially review Poland’s Air Quality Plans (unled).
    • Coppin v Ireland (Committee on the Convention against Torture) junior counsel for Elizabeth Coppin in her claim against Ireland for internment and mistreatment in Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries.
    • X & Y v Russia (CEDAW Committee) sole counsel for the interveners, Equality Now, supporting the applicants in their successful claim that Russian laws on domestic violence (including the requirement for victims to bring private prosecutions) were discriminatory (unled). 
    • Tagayeva and others v Russia (ECtHR) a successful claim under Article 2 against Russia for its failures in relation to the Beslan hostage crisis, including issues of international humanitarian law (assisting Counsel at the European Human Rights Advocacy Centre). 
    • R (Japan Tobacco International and others) v Secretary of State for Health (High Court, Court of Appeal) representing the manufacturers of tobacco products in a challenge to the UK’s plain packaging regulations, including challenges on the basis of international law (led by David Anderson QC).
    • R (Philip Morris Brands SARL and others) v Secretary of State for Health (CJEU) representing JTI, interested parties in the challenge to the Second Tobacco Products Directive (led by James Flynn QC).
    • X and Y v Georgia (CEDAW Committee) a successful claim against Georgia alleging systemic discrimination in relation to domestic violence victims.
    • Bank Mellat v Council and others (CJEU) representing Bank Mellat in its appeal to the CJEU in relation to the imposition of general sanctions (led in a team including Richard Blakeley).
    • Assisting and advising on cases before the ECtHR, including Barakhoyev and Keligov v Russia (abduction, torture and ill-treatment in North Ossetia) and Taganova & Esartia v Russia and Mamasakhlisi and other v Georgia and Russia (ethnic cleansing in Abkhazia). 
  • Career & Qualifications M

    Employment

    September 2014 – present: Tenant, Brick Court Chambers

    September 2013 – September 2014: Pupil, Brick Court Chambers

    January 2011 – February 2016: Co-founder and board member of Lawyers against Abuse

    July 2012 – June 2013: Lead Consultant on Due Diligence Project, Special Rapporteur for Violence against Women/ UN Women

    January 2012 – June 2012: Visiting Lecturer, University of the Witwatersrand

    January 2011 – December 2011: Harvard Law School Holmes Public Interest Fellow, Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa

    August 2010 – December 2010: Senior Fellow, Institute for International Law and Human Rights

     

    Education

    2012 – 2013: BPTC, City Law School (Outstanding)

    2009 – 2010: LL.M, Harvard Law School

    2006 – 2009: MA (Hons) Law, University of Cambridge (Downing College) (First Class)

     

    Scholarships and Prizes

    Jennifer has received a number of accolades since beginning her practice, including:

    • Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year (jointly, including with Emma Mockford) (2020)
    • Highly Commended, Excellence in Pro Bono Award (jointly, with Emma Mockford and Arnold & Porter), Law Society (2020)
    • Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year (2019)
    • Peter Duffy Scholarship (BEG) (2014)
    • Conference Scholarship (ALBA) (2014)

    She also received many academic scholarships and prizes as a student, including:

    • BPTC (2012-13): Baron Dr Ver Heyden de Lancey Prize, Queen Mother Scholarship, Certificate of Honour (Middle Temple); Barstow Scholarship, Oxford University Press Prize for Excellence in Advocacy and Procedure, Worshipful Company of Arbitrators Prize for Commercial Law, Finance and Industry Prize for Commercial Law and Civil Procedure (City Law School)
    • Harvard Law School (2009-10): Holmes Postgraduate Fellowship for Human Rights, Cambridge-Harvard Law Link Scholarship, Travel Fellowship from the Institute of Global Law and Policy
    • Downing College, Cambridge University (2006-09): Prize for Commercial Law, Prize for Contract Law, Squire Scholarships (Cambridge University), Senior Harris Scholarship, Buchanan Prizes, Platt Prize, Lovells Prize (Downing College)

     

    Professional Memberships

    ALBA, BEG, COMBAR, LCLCBA, JUSTICE, Liberty, HRLA

    Board member of JUSTICE

  • Directory Quotes M

    "An outstanding and decisive junior." (Legal 500, Inquests and Inquiries, 2024)

    "A superb litigator. She is tactically astute and does not shrink from a fight." (Legal 500, Group Litigation, 2024)

    "She is an intellectual force, able to turn to the most complex and novel areas with depth and deftness." (Legal 500, Administrative and Public Law, 2024)

    "Jennifer has deep knowledge of competition law. She is a skilled communicator who provides insightful and well-reasoned advice to clients and persuasive arguments in court." (Legal 500, Competition Law, 2024)

    "She is phenomenally bright and proactive; she works very hard, and provides beautiful drafting." (Chambers & Partners, Administrative & Public Law, 2024)

    "She is knowledgeable and a great advocate." (Chambers & Partners, Administrative & Public Law, 2024)

     “An outstanding lawyer. She excels in complex cases, managing the responsibility of her role with hard work, detailed knowledge of her case and the law, exceptional written and oral advocacy, positivity and sheer talent” (Legal 500, Inquests and Inquiries, 2023)

    “Superlative, both in written submissions and when on her feet.  Excellent tactical approach” (Legal 500, Administrative and Public Law, 2023)

    “Jenny is an amazing asset to any competition team.  Unlike many juniors, she has fought several competition trials, so her advice and the decisions she takes are grounded in real knowledge” (Legal 500, Competition Law, 2023)

    "She is intertwined in the leading cases in this area. She offers very pragmatic and strategic advice…." (Chambers & Partners, Competition Law, 2023).

    "Jennifer is full of expertise and intelligence; she is a strong asset to have on a case." "She is an incredibly thoughtful and strategic advocate." (Chambers & Partners, Civil Liberties & Human Rights; International Human Rights Law, 2023)

     “Jenny is a real rising star and is incredibly impressive.” “She is phenomenal – clever, sensitive and powerful as an advocate” (Chambers & Partners, Civil Liberties and Human Rights; International Human Rights Law, 2022)

    "An absolutely outstanding and incredibly hard-working barrister." "She is extremely talented and doesn't shy away from analytical problems and complex matters." (Chambers & Partners, Administrative & Public Law, 2022)

     “Jennifer is razor-sharp and focussed. She is super committed to her clients and will go above and beyond to ensure that they get the best possible representation. Her submissions are always a cut above.” (Legal 500, Competition Law, 2022)

     “Jennifer is simply brilliant. She combines hard work, detailed knowledge of her case and the law, positivity and sheer talent, she generates respect from lay and professional clients, her colleagues and the Court. She has outstanding judgement and tactical nous.” (Legal 500, Administrative and Public Law; Civil Liberties and Human Rights 2022)

    “One of those rare barristers who can really change the fortunes of a case” (Legal 500, Administrative and Public Law, 2021)

    “A star of her generation” “Phenomenally quick, a great team player and a fantastic strategist.  She is the full package”.  “Passionate, focused and fiercely determined - and won’t be steered off course no matter what the opponent tries to throw at her! A real leading light who will go far” (Legal 500, Civil Liberties and Human Rights, 2021)

    “An outstanding junior, one of the future stars of the competition bar.  She is razor-sharp, has a phenomenal work ethic and is 100% committed to each and every case” (Legal 500, Competition, 2021).

    "Super smart, takes no nonsense and very ready to roll up her sleeves." "Very impressive with clients, who really rate her very highly.” (Chambers & Partners, Administrative & Public Law, 2021)

    “She has a hugely impressive ability to be completely across the detail and also to sit back and see the bigger picture.” “She's an extremely hard worker, who is very user-friendly and completely committed.” (Chambers & Partners, Competition Law, 2021).

    "She has judgement and wisdom beyond her call and is constantly striving to push litigation forward in the right way." "She is the kind of barrister that solicitors dream of working with: she is approachable, extraordinarily diligent and very willing to support solicitors with the legwork involved in preparing a case. She is also an excellent strategic public lawyer and has a very sympathetic manner with lay clients." (Chambers & Partners, Administrative & Public Law, 2020)

    "Working with her is a very collaborative process; she works very hard and will answer all of your questions however small or large…."  (Chambers & Partners, Competition Law, 2020)

    "Very thoughtful and measured, she produces excellent written work." "She listens carefully, helps identify the best strategic approach, and is clear in setting expectations and ensuring everyone is on the same page. She's a really excellent, straightforward communicator with a lovely friendly manner." (Chambers & Partners, Administrative & Public Law, 2019).

    "An excellent prospect for the future who is really clever and really personable." (Chambers & Partners, Competition Law, 2019).

    "She is exceptionally clever and deeply committed to cases. She's a delight to work with." (Chambers & Partners, EU Law, 2018)