Our public law, judicial review and political disputes lawyers help clients challenge unlawful Government and regulatory decisions, resolve sensitive disputes, and engage effectively with policy and legislative change.
Public law, judicial review and political disputes lawyers
We advise businesses, investors, regulated entities, industry bodies, non-governmental organisations and individuals whose interests are affected by Government decisions, regulatory action, public consultations or shifting policy. Our Public Law & Politics team helps clients understand the legal consequences of that impact - from challenging an unlawful decision, to resolving a sensitive dispute, to shaping policy before it is set.
Our clients come to us when public law, politics and reputation intersect: when a decision needs to be challenged, a regulatory issue requires a strategic response, a political dispute must be resolved, or where they require input on policy.
We understand how Government, Parliament and regulators work, bringing intellectual and strategic rigour to matters ranging from complex commercial judicial review claims to high-profile political issues.
Public law and politics is part of Mishcon de Reya's DNA. Our founder, Lord Mishcon, sat on Labour's front bench in the House of Lords, acted as a trusted emissary in the first informal conversations that led to the Jordan-Israel peace treaty of 1994, and was an incisive voice in Parliament on legal affairs and public causes. We continue that tradition today, combining commercial acumen with an incisive knowledge of the political and regulatory landscape.
We are politically independent and do not take a political position. Our role is to identify practical, inventive and impactful legal solutions for the issues our clients face.
We work closely with the Climate, Nature and Human Rights Litigation group in relation to matters engaging environmental or community concerns.
Public law, judicial review and political disputes services
Judicial review and public law
We are experts in public law and holding public bodies to account, whether the issue is a contentious policy decision or a specific Governmental or regulatory act that affects a client's business, operations or wider interests. We regularly act for corporate clients, investors and regulated businesses, as well as individuals and organisations bringing claims of broader public importance. Our advice covers:
- judicial review claims for corporate organisations challenging issues fundamental to their operation
- judicial review claims for individuals and non-governmental organisations
- complaints to regulatory bodies and challenges to regulatory decisions
- procurement challenges, including bid disputes under the Procurement Act 2023
- human rights claims, for claimants and defendants
- advice on responding to public consultations
- inquests and inquiries
- Select Committee appearances
Political disputes and election law
We advise on contentious matters at the intersection of politics and law, informed by our team's deep understanding of the political landscape and political party rules, including:
- internal political party disputes, including disciplinary and selection issues
- complaints to Parliamentary regulators, including the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, the Committee on Standards in Public Life and the Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists
- complaints to the Electoral Commission
- advice on obligations under election law, including the Representation of the People Act 1983 and the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000
- sanctions advice
Public affairs, lobbying law and policy
We help clients who are seeking to input into policy and legislation, engage with Government decision-makers or pursue changes in the law. Navigating Westminster, Whitehall, public bodies and the media can be challenging; our success in this area comes from knowing how to make the right legal arguments, to the right people, at the right time. We have strong relationships with public affairs firms, working alongside them to offer clients an integrated legal and communications strategy. Our advice covers:
- the legal framework for engaging with Government, including lobbying registration, and transparency requirements
- drafting legislation and amendments
- the legal routes available to bring about change, from consultation responses to judicial review