National Security and Human Rights

We have long-standing expertise in the human rights implications of national security measures and related technological developments.

Our team notably has extensive experience of the legal and policy frameworks that govern surveillance, from international human rights to investigatory powers and data protection laws. We seek remedies for our clients, bring regulatory and court challenges, and support clients on advocating for better protections against arbitrary surveillance.

We advise individuals who are or have been subjected to surveillance by state authorities and private actors. We secured a full public apology and rectification by the UK Cabinet Office for a journalist inaccurately labelled as a “vaccine sceptic” by UK government surveillance, and represent individuals wrongly placed on facial recognition watchlists used by the police and private sector.

We also represent organisations in legally challenging surveillance practices. We act for NGOs in strategic litigation cases involving judicial reviews, regulatory complaints or third party interventions - such as Big Brother Watch in a complaint against a UK supermarket’s use of facial recognition cameras.

Finally, we advise our clients on their advocacy for better safeguards over surveillance. We produced a report for the Open Rights Group on the UK Information Commissioner’s Office’s regulatory oversight of health surveillance measures during the Covid-19 pandemic, or advised the US Center for Democracy and Technology on laws across Europe relating to police powers to seize data for investigations.