Simpson Millar recognised in the Chambers and Partners UK 2027 rankings

Administrative & Public Law: Traditional Claimant – Band 3 

Our Public Law and Human Rights team has been ranked Band 3 for Administrative & Public Law: Traditional Claimant UK-wide. 

The team represents individuals in a broad range of claims and challenges involving local authorities and other public bodies. Chambers highlighted Simpson Millar’s experience acting for children and young people, including care leavers, alongside the team’s work in accommodation, trafficking and immigration detention matters. 

These cases can involve decisions with a significant impact on someone’s day-to-day life, including where they live, the support they receive, or the way they are treated by a public authority. The team works with clients to understand the circumstances behind those decisions and, where appropriate, challenge them through public law proceedings. 

Chambers’ feedback in particular recognised the team’s commitment to vulnerable clients and its ability to combine strong legal work with client care. Those providing feedback described the team as thorough, conscientious and effective, highlighting its dedication to pursuing justice and its experience bringing strategic public law challenges. 

Shalini Patel, Head of Public Law and Human Rights, was identified by Chambers as a notable practitioner in   the practice. 

Shalini leads a team with experience across complex public law and human rights matters, supporting individuals who may be facing difficult circumstances while also dealing with decisions made by public bodies. The recognition reflects the breadth of work undertaken by Shalini and the wider team, as well as their focus on providing clear and effective legal support to the people they represent. 

Court of Protection: Health & Welfare – Band 3 

Our Court of Protection, Health and Welfare team has been ranked Band 3 UK-wide, with Chambers recognising its experience in complex cases involving health, welfare, care and capacity. 

The team regularly acts in disputes involving local authorities and health trusts, including cases concerning deprivation of liberty and medical treatment for people who may lack capacity to make particular decisions for themselves. 

Its work also includes cases involving complex care and accommodation arrangements, family contact, and disputes concerning the application of the Mental Capacity Act to young people. 

Court of Protection proceedings can involve some of the most significant decisions affecting a person’s life, including where they live, the care they receive, who they have contact with and what medical treatment may be appropriate. The team supports individuals, families, and representatives throughout these proceedings, helping them understand the legal issues involved and ensuring the person at the centre of the case remains properly represented. 

Feedback published by Chambers praised the team’s legal knowledge and its ability to manage complex cases efficiently and proportionately. The team was also recognised for combining its technical expertise with a clear, practical, and caring approach. 

Caroline Hurst, Senior Associate Lawyer in Court of Protection, was highlighted as a notable practitioner and has also received an individual Band 3 ranking for Court of Protection: Health & Welfare. 

The recognition reflects the experience across the wider Health and Welfare team and its work supporting people through complex and often highly sensitive Court of Protection proceedings. 

Civil Liberties & Human Rights – Band 4 

Our Public Law and Human Rights team has also been ranked Band 4 for Civil Liberties & Human Rights UK-wide. 

Chambers recognised the breadth of experience within the team and the way its work draws on expertise across Public Law, Education Law and Court of Protection matters. 

The team acts for individuals in cases involving local authorities, health trusts and other public bodies, including matters affecting vulnerable and disabled people. Its work also includes representing children and families, people who have experienced trafficking or discrimination, and individuals challenging decisions about access to care and support. 

This can include disputes over local authority funding decisions and cases where individuals have been assessed as not being eligible for care that they believe should be provided without charge. 

The nature of this work means clients may be dealing with several difficult issues at the same time, including concerns about their health, care, accommodation, liberty, or access to essential services. The team works to ensure clients understand their rights and the options available when challenging decisions made by public bodies. 

Feedback published by Chambers highlighted Simpson Millar’s commitment to representing vulnerable people and the breadth of knowledge across education, health and public law. The team’s work in cases involving the police was also specifically recognised. 

Shalini Patel, Head of Public Law and Human Rights, was  identified by Chambers as a notable practitioner. 

Basmah Sahib – Band 1 ranked lawyer 

Basmah Sahib, Solicitor in our Public Law and Human Rights team, has achieved a Band 1 ranking for Mental Health: Patients UK-wide. 

Basmah has extensive experience advising and representing bereaved families following deaths in psychiatric hospital or in the community whilst under the care of psychiatric services. She has a related public law practice, encompassing judicial review applications and Human Rights Act claims post-inquest.  

Earlier this year, Basmah successfully challenged the closure of a college offering courses to adults with learning disabilities on the ground that the local authority had failed to consult the disabled students and their carers before proceeding with the college closure.  

Chambers recognised Basmah’s experience representing detained individuals in Mental Health Tribunal proceedings and her work supporting families whose relatives have died while in hospital. The feedback published about Basmah was particularly strong, highlighting her commitment to clients, specialist knowledge and determination. She was described as someone who gives everything to her cases and demonstrates a genuine commitment to obtaining justice.  

Caroline Hurst – Band 3 ranked lawyer 

 
Caroline Hurst, Senior Associate Lawyer in our Court of Protection team, has retained her Band 3 ranking for Court of Protection: Health & Welfare UK-wide.

Caroline acts for individuals who lack capacity in complex health and welfare proceedings, including cases concerning a person’s ability to consent to sexual relations or marriage and matters involving restrictions on internet and social media use. 

These cases can require the Court of Protection to consider particularly personal and important questions about an individual’s autonomy, relationships and day-to-day life. Caroline represents individuals throughout these proceedings, helping ensure their circumstances, wishes and rights are properly considered. 

Feedback published by Chambers recognised Caroline’s ability to focus on the key issues within a case, alongside her legal knowledge and approachable manner. 

Her Band 3 ranking provides individual recognition of her specialist experience within Court of Protection Health and Welfare work and sits alongside the wider team’s Band 3 UK-wide ranking. 

Recognition across our specialist teams 

Our Chambers and Partners UK 2027 rankings recognise the work carried out across Simpson Millar in areas where clients can be facing some of the most significant decisions affecting their rights, liberty, care and wellbeing. 

From challenging decisions made by public authorities to representing people in Court of Protection and Mental Health Tribunal proceedings, our teams work with individuals and families through complex legal processes where clear advice, specialist knowledge and strong representation can make an important difference. 

We are pleased to see the work of our Public Law and Human Rights and Court of Protection teams recognised in the Chambers and Partners UK 2027 rankings, alongside the individual recognition received by Caroline Hurst and Basmah Sahib.