Public Law

Michael is developing a broad public law practice, having spent 8 years prior to coming to the bar as a solicitor-advocate specialising in public law and human rights.  He has a particular interest in discrimination, social security, immigration, migrant rights, mental health, environmental and regulatory law.

Michael is a member of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s C Panel of Counsel and the Chair of the Asylum Support Appeals Project. He co-authored the Migrants for Benefits Handbook and the Disabled Children Handbook.  In 2017 he spent a year as the judicial assistant to Lord Kerr at the Supreme Court, where he assisted in a number of high profile public law cases including:

  • R(Miller) v SSExEU [2017] UKSC 5,
  • In Re Brewster [2017] UKSC 8,
  • R(Kiarie and Byndloss) v SSHD [2017] UKSC 42
  • Unison v Lord Chancellor [2017] UKSC 51.

Selected Cases

  • Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Ltd v Secretary of State for BEIS [2019] UKFTT GGE_2019_0001 (GRC): Appeared as a junior with David Hart QC in an appeal in the First-tier Tribunal (General Regulatory Chamber) relating to the Carbon Emissions Trading Scheme.
  • SK and LL v SSWP (2019): Appeared unled in a test case appeal before the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) relating to discrimination against refugees and kinship carers.
  • IS v SSHD (2019): Judicial review of decision to refuse permission to appeal to the Upper Tribunal in an immigration appeal.
  • YS v SSHD (2019): Successful claim for judicial review of decision to house an asylum seeker with mental health problems in shared accommodation.
  • MM and SI v SSWP [2016] UKUT 149 (AAC): Successful appeal establishing exemption for refugees from the past presence test for disability living allowance.
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Appointments

  • Equality & Human Rights Commission (C panel)

Awards

  • Peter Duffy Scholar, Bar European Group (2018)
  • Pegasus Scholar, American Inns of Court (2017)
  • Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards, Finalist (social welfare category) (2015)
  • Wig and Pen prize for pro bono (2009)

Education

  • College of Law – Higher Rights of Audience (2012)
  • Diploma in Legal Practice (Distinction) Nottingham Law School (2005-2006)
  • Graduate Diploma in Law (Commendation) BPP Law School (2004-2005)
  • MA in Intellectual and Cultural History, Warburg Institute (2003-2004)
  • BA (Hons) in History(First Class) St Hugh’s College, Oxford (2000-2003)

Memberships

  • Bar European Group
  • ALBA

Publications

  • Disabled Children Handbook, LAG, 3rd Edition (welfare benefits section)
  • Benefits for Migrants Handbook, Chapters 21-24, CPAG, 7th Edition (2015)
  • Welfare Rights Bulletin, What hope has the Court of Appeal left for human rights? (Apr 2014)
  • Contributor to the UK Human Rights Blog

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