A New Bill of Rights? The Bill of Rights Bill Explained Webinar - Jul 2022
Darragh Coffey accepts instructions in all areas of Chambers’ work and is developing a broad practice with a particular focus on public law. He appears in courts and tribunals on behalf of both Claimants and Defendants in a range of civil hearings.
Darragh joined Chambers as a tenant in September 2019 after having successfully completing 12 months of pupillage at 1COR. During pupillage, Darragh was supervised by Richard Smith, Richard Mumford, Amy Mannion and Alasdair Henderson, spending three months with each and gaining experience across Chambers’ main practice areas.
Darragh holds a first class honours Bachelor of Civil Law and a first class honours Master of laws degree, both from University College Dublin. Before coming to the Bar, he spent four years at the University of Cambridge where he is pursuing a Ph.D. in the area of human rights law. Prior to that, he served for six years as an Army Officer in the Irish Defence Forces. While at Cambridge, Darragh was the executive chairperson of the Cambridge Pro Bono Project, Co-Convener of the Cambridge International and European Law Conference and taught on the Human Rights and Civil Liberties module on the LLM course. These diverse experiences have helped him to develop a strong knowledge base and pragmatic, diligent and detail-orientated approach to his practice as a junior barrister.
Public LawDarragh is developing a broad public law practice. Prior to coming to the Bar, he had published academic articles and blog posts on a range of public law matters in the UK and Ireland and he recently contributed to the Fifth Edition of Administrative Law in Ireland, the leading work on Administrative law and judicial review in the Irish Legal system.
Darragh’s academic interest in public law is complemented by the experiences he gained in pupillage under the supervision of both Amy Manion and Alasdair Henderson, whom he assisted with the drafting of pleadings and advice in a number of public law cases.
In his own practice, Darragh recently acted for the Applicant in R (Zeghli) v Secretary of State for the Home Department, in which the Applicant sought Judicial Review of the Secretary of State’s decision not to treat her immigration appeal as a fresh claim. In granting permission following an oral permission hearing, the Upper Tribunal Judge commented that Mr Coffey had “conducted himself impeccably” during the hearing.
Darragh is a member of the Attorney General’s ‘Junior Junior’ panel and has assisted both the Government Legal Department and HMRC with document review and disclosure exercises on large cases.
Selected Cases
- R (Bell and another) v. Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust (2021): Legal challenge to legality of transgender treatment for children.
- KB v Secretary of State for the Home Department (2021): Secured leave to remain for Mauritian National.
- R (Zeghli) v Secretary for State for the Home Department (Upper Tribunal): Judicial review of SSHD’s refusal to consider the Applicant’s appeal as a fresh claim.
Darragh’s PhD thesis examines the interaction of the European Convention on Human Rights and national security related deportation. He has published academic articles in this area and during his time in Cambridge, Darragh taught on the ‘human rights and civil liberties’ module of the highly respected Cambridge LLM course.
In practice, much of Darragh’s immigration work has involved claims under the Human Rights Act. He maintains a particular interest in Article 3 claims and he regularly contributes to the UK Human Rights Blog.
Selected Cases
- KB v Secretary of State for the Home Department (2021): Secured leave to remain for Mauritian National.
- Ahmadzai v Secretary of State for the Home Department (Upper Tribunal): Article 8 Appeal against refusal of entry clearance.
- Singh v Secretary of State for the Home Department (First Tier Tribunal): Secured leave to remain on the basis of Article 8 of the ECHR for an individual who had been in the UK without status since arriving as a child.
Darragh has a developing immigration practice and has appeared regularly before the First Tier Tribunal in immigration appeals. He has also appeared before the Immigration and Asylum Chamber of the Upper Tribunal.
Selected Cases
- KB v Secretary of State for the Home Department (2021): Secured leave to remain for Mauritian National.
- R (Zeghli) v Secretary for State for the Home Department (Upper Tribunal): Judicial review of SSHD’s refusal to consider the Applicant’s appeal as a fresh claim.
- Ahmadzai v Secretary of State of the Home Department (Upper Tribunal): Appeal against refusal of entry clearance.
- Singh v Secretary of State for the Home Department (First Tier Tribunal): Secured leave to remain on the basis of Article 8 of the ECHR for an individual who had been in the UK without status since arriving as a child.
Since January 2020, Darragh has been instructed by the Metropolitan Police Service as a member of their counsel team for the Undercover Policing Inquiry.
Darragh regularly appears in Coroner’s Courts representing both families and institutional Interested Persons.
Selected Cases
- Re JM (2021): Represented NHS Trust at inquest into death of toddler from choking at Butlins.
- Re H (2021): Represented the family of teenager who died from glandular fever via the AvMA pro bono service.
- Inquest touching upon the death of JW: Darragh acted for the Deceased’s family and drew the coroner’s attention to several issues of concern, which resulted in five Prevention of Future Death (PFD) reports being issued.
- Inquest touching upon the death of DB: Darragh represented the London Ambulance Service in a five day jury inquest into a death in custody to which the LAS were called.
Darragh is developing a varied practice in the area of clinical negligence. He accepts instructions from Claimants and Defendants to appear in the County Court and High Court in a variety of hearings. He also advises on liability and quantum and drafts a variety of pleadings in such claims.
Darragh has appeared in court and advised Claimants and Defendants on liability and quantum in a variety of civil hearings and trials. He has experience in claims arising out of road traffic accidents, public liability and employer’s liability. Darragh recently spent six months on secondment to HMRC’s personal injury team advising on liability and quantum in employer’s and occupier’s liability claims.
Darragh recently represented Yorkshire Wildlife Trust as a rule 6 party before a 12 day planning inquiry in which the Trust successfully opposed the grant of planning permission to a property Developer to build a 516 unit residential development in close proximity to Askham Bog, a site of special scientific interest described by Sir David Attenborough as ‘irreplaceable’. Read more about the case here.
He was jointly nominated for Advocate’s Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year Award 2020 for his role in saving Askham Bog.
The 1COR Bundle 2022-2023 has arrived - Jul 2022
One Crown Office Row are excited to announce that the 22-23 Bundle is here! Download your copy here: 1COR BUNDLE 2022-23 Some highlights from the last 12 months include: Welcoming...
Darragh Coffey represents the family at an inquest into the death of a one-day old baby - Jun 2022
Darragh Coffey represented the family of a baby who died at one day of age at a two-day inquest into the child’s death. The infant had been a healthy new-born, with no concerns being raised...
Pupillage Application Tips and Life at the Bar with 1COR - Dec 2021
Join our barristers for a remote discussion on everything from applying for Pupillage, life at 1COR and more on Wednesday 19th January 2022. You'll also have a chance to ask our barristers questions...
Court of Appeal overturns high-profile judgment on children’s ability to consent to puberty blockers for gender dysphoria - Sep 2021
On Friday 17 September 2021 the Court of Appeal handed down its judgment in R (Bell and another) v. Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, overturning the landmark ruling of the Divisional...
Get your copy of the 1COR Bundle 2021-22 now - Jun 2021
One Crown Office Row are excited to announce that their 2021-22 Bundle is here! Download your copy here: 1COR BUNDLE 2021-22 Some highlights from the last 12 months include: Launch...
Darragh Coffey Secures leave to remain for Mauritian National - May 2021
Darragh Coffey recently represented a 28 year old Mauritian man before the First Tier Tribunal in an appeal against the Home Office’s refusal to grant him Leave to Remain (“LTR”) on the basis of...
Inquest into death of Toddler at Butlins concludes - Mar 2021
In 2018, whilst on a family holiday at Butlins in Bognor Regis, James Manning choked on a piece of sausage at the resort. This led to his death in hospital some time later due to an ischaemic hypoxic...
Inquest into death of teenager from glandular fever - Mar 2021
At the inquest into the death of Toby Hudson Darragh Coffey, instructed via the AvMA pro bono service, represented his family. Toby, aged nineteen, was unable to contact his GP surgery due to phone...
Landmark ruling on whether children can consent to puberty blocker treatment for gender dysphoria - Dec 2020
Update: This case is being heard on by the Court of Appeal with Jeremy Hyam QC, Alasdair Henderson and Darragh Coffey instructed by Paul Conrathe of Sinclairslaw to represent the claimants. Watch the...
Tonight’s the night for the Bar Pro Bono Awards - Nov 2020
Looking forward to tonight's Advocate Awards ceremony with fingers crossed for joint nominees Emma-Louise Fenelon, Charlotte Gilmartin, Rajkiran Barhey, Darragh Coffey and Thomas Beamont for...
Undercover Policing Inquiry’s hearings begin today - Nov 2020
Today, 2nd November, the Undercover Policing Inquiry starts its hearings with seven days of live-streamed opening statements, followed by seven days of evidence hearings. The full schedule and how the...
Congratulations to our 5 juniors nominated for Advocate’s Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year Award - Oct 2020
Congratulations to Emma-Louise Fenelon, Charlotte Gilmartin, Rajkiran Barhey, Darragh Coffey and Thomas Beamont for their joint nomination for Advocate's Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year Award....
Darragh Coffey examines recent key developments relating to the doctrine of vicarious liability on Lexis Nexis PSL - Sep 2020
Available now for Lexis Nexis PS subscribers, Darragh Coffey asks (and answers) 'What are the recent key developments relating to the doctrine of vicarious liability?'. He discusses two Supreme Court...
1COR Quarterly Medical Law Review – 2020 – Special Issue – Part 3 - Jul 2020
Welcome to this COVID-19 special issue of the Quarterly Medical Law Review, brought to you by the barristers at 1 Crown Office Row. Given the fast moving nature of this situation, we will likely...
Emma-Louise Fenelon and Darragh Coffey successful in Askham Bog Planning Inquiry - May 2020
The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government yesterday dismissed an appeal in which planning permission was sought to develop housing near Askham Bog, a site of special...
1COR Quarterly Medical Law Review – 2020 – Special Issue – Part 2 - Apr 2020
Welcome to another special issue of the Quarterly Medical Law Review, brought to you by the barristers at 1 Crown Office Row. Given the fast moving nature of this situation, we will produce a number...
LawPod UK Ep. 108: Renewed lockdown, new guidance - Apr 2020
In this latest episode we consider the probable attitude of the judiciary to any challenges regarding the government’s responsibility for providing sufficient PPE, the risk imposed on individuals,...
1COR Quarterly Medical Law Review -2020 – Special Issue - Mar 2020
Welcome to this special issue of the Quarterly Medical Law Review (QMLR), brought to you by the barristers at 1 Crown Office Row. We are endeavouring to provide legal analysis of changes caused by...
Inquest into death of Toddler from Choking at Butlins - Jan 2020
Darragh Coffey, instructed by Julia Tracy at Capsticks, represents East Sussex Health Care (ESHC) NHS Trust at the inquest into the death of James Manning. In 2018 the 2 year old boy choked on a...
Emma-Louise Fenelon and Darragh Coffey represent Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to protect Askham Bog - Dec 2019
The Environmental Law Foundation (ELF) was approached by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT) regarding a threat posed to Askham Bog, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This case ties into the wider...
1COR hosts Sutton Trust students for an insight into life at the Bar - Oct 2019
What is a barrister? 1COR hosts Sutton Trust Pathways to Law students to give them a glimpse into life at the Bar. 1COR, led by Head of Outreach Jo Moore, welcomes Sutton Trust students to learn...
1COR delighted to welcome Darragh Coffey and Thomas Beamont as new tenants - Sep 2019
After successfully completing their pupillage at 1 Crown Office Row, we are delighted that Darragh Coffey and Thomas Beamont have accepted our offer of tenancy. They will become full tenants at the...
1COR Brighton’s annual Ghulam Hussain Volleyball Cup is here! - Jul 2019
Each year, 1COR Brighton raise money for the Rockinghorse Appeal and remember fellow barrister Ghulam Hussain. This hugely popular event is going from strength to strength in its 9th year with 15...
1COR welcomes new pupils Darragh Coffey, Thomas Beamont and Michael Spencer - Oct 2018