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Public Law and Human Rights Solicitors
Decisions made by public bodies can have a serious and often immediate impact on your life, your family and your future. Where those decisions are unfair, delayed or not made properly, it is important to understand what can be done to challenge them.
Watkins Solicitors is a long-established, multi-award-winning law firm, founded in 1998, with a national reputation for specialist public law and judicial review work. Our dedicated team advises individuals, families and professionals across England in situations where timely, practical legal support is needed.
We are widely recognised for our expertise across Public Law, Education, Family and Human Rights matters, and for acting in complex and urgent cases where early, decisive action is required. Our work includes challenges to decisions made by local authorities, government departments, regulators and other public bodies, and is supported by our Public Law Legal Aid contract, allowing us to advise eligible clients on funding where appropriate.
Our Public Law and Human Rights team specialises in helping clients challenge decisions that are unlawful, unfair or delayed. This includes cases involving failures to provide education or care, unlawful local authority decisions, regulatory and DBS issues, immigration and asylum matters, and wider human rights concerns. We provide clear, practical advice to help you understand your rights and the options available to resolve the issue effectively.
If you are affected by a decision that has left you or your family without support, facing uncertainty, or at risk of harm, our specialist solicitors are here to listen, advise and support you. We will help you understand what has happened, what your options are, and what steps can be taken to put things right. Early advice can often make a significant difference to how quickly a situation can be resolved.
If you would like to discuss your situation, our team offers an initial conversation to help you understand your options. You can contact us by emailing info@watkinssolicitors.co.uk or calling 0117 939 0350.
In many cases, the legal process used to challenge decisions made by public bodies is called judicial review.
Judicial review is used where a decision has not been made properly or lawfully. It is not about whether a decision was right or wrong on the facts. The key question is whether the decision was made fairly, within the law and in the correct way.
A judicial review may be appropriate where a public body has:
Judicial review is often used where decisions affect important areas of life such as education, housing, care, immigration status or employment, and where there is no suitable alternative way to challenge the issue.
Public law cases are often time-sensitive. In most cases, strict time limits apply and delay can affect whether a claim can proceed. Seeking early legal advice can help you understand your options and act in time.
Choosing the right solicitor can make a significant difference, particularly in urgent and complex public law matters where early action is critical. What sets Watkins Solicitors apart is our specialist expertise, strong national reputation, commitment to access to justice, and clear, practical approach to resolving complex legal issues.
We specialise in public law and challenges to decisions made by public bodies
Our team focuses on helping individuals, families and professionals challenge decisions that are unlawful, unfair or delayed, including through judicial review where appropriate. We act across a wide range of areas including education, community care, human rights, regulatory matters and immigration.
We are recognised for complex and urgent work
We act in challenging cases where decisions have immediate and serious consequences, often requiring urgent action to protect individuals, families and professionals.
Experienced leadership
Our Public Law and Human Rights team is led by Christopher White, who has extensive experience advising on complex and urgent cases involving public bodies, regulators and systemic decision-making issues.
We achieve practical outcomes
Our focus is on resolving issues effectively, whether through early intervention, pre-action engagement or court proceedings where necessary, with a clear focus on achieving the best possible outcome for you.
We take a joined-up legal approach
Our expertise across Education, Family and Public Law allows us to understand wider issues and provide support that reflects the full context of each case.
We are committed to access to justice
We hold a Public Law Legal Aid contract and regularly act for clients who would not otherwise be able to challenge unlawful decisions.
We provide clear and realistic advice
We are transparent from the outset about the strengths of a case, the options available and the likely next steps, so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
We work with individuals and organisations
Alongside individual cases, we also work with community groups, charities and advice organisations to challenge wider systemic issues and unlawful practices.
We specialise in public law and are recognised for our work challenging unlawful decisions made by public bodies. Our team acts across a wide range of matters where individuals, families and professionals are affected by decisions that are unfair, delayed or made without proper legal basis.
Where appropriate, this includes using judicial review as a legal route to challenge decisions and ensure they are reconsidered properly.
This includes challenges relating to housing and homelessness, education, community care, immigration and detention, healthcare decisions, professional regulation, and wider human rights issues. We also act in planning and accommodation disputes, cases involving Gypsy and Traveller communities, and strategic challenges addressing wider systemic failures by public bodies.
Our Public Law and Human Rights team supports clients across England with:
Local Authority and Government Decisions
Advising and acting in challenges to decisions made by local authorities and government departments where legal duties have not been followed or decisions have been made unlawfully.
Examples include:
Education Public Law
Supporting children, young people and families where decisions about education and support have not been made properly.
Examples include:
Community Care
Advising in cases where vulnerable adults, children or families are not receiving the care or support they are entitled to.
Examples include:
Asylum, Immigration and Refugee Public Law
Acting in public law challenges involving immigration and asylum decisions where the issue is the lawfulness or fairness of the decision-making process.
Examples include:
Professional Regulation and DBS Challenges
Supporting professionals and individuals where decisions affect their career, reputation and ability to work.
Examples include:
Human Rights and Public Law
Advising on cases where public body decisions interfere with fundamental rights.
Examples include:
These cases can involve both individual challenges and wider issues affecting groups of people, particularly where public bodies have failed to act lawfully or fairly over time.
Inquests and Public Authority Accountability
Supporting families in cases involving deaths where public authorities may have been involved.
Examples include:
Whatever the issue, our Public Law and Human Rights team provides clear, practical advice focused on achieving effective outcomes. We help you understand your rights, assess whether a decision can be challenged, and take timely steps to resolve the issue.
If you are dealing with a public body decision and are unsure of your options, our team can advise you on next steps and timescales. Email info@watkinssolicitors.co.uk or call 0117 939 0350 to speak to a member of the team.
You should seek advice as soon as possible if:
Public law matters are often time-sensitive. In many cases, there are strict time limits for taking action, including judicial review claims which must usually be brought promptly and within three months. In some situations, shorter deadlines may apply, and delay can affect whether a case can proceed.
Seeking early legal advice can help you understand your options, protect your position and take the right steps in time.
Even if you are unsure whether a decision can be challenged, seeking early advice can help you understand where you stand and what options may be available.
We understand that cost is an important consideration when deciding whether to challenge a decision, particularly where the situation is already difficult or uncertain.
Watkins Solicitors holds a Public Law Legal Aid contract and can advise whether legal aid may be available based on your circumstances and the type of case. We will guide you through this process clearly so you understand what support may be available.
Where legal aid is not available, we will provide clear advice about funding options and likely costs from the outset, so you can make informed decisions with confidence and avoid unexpected surprises.
We are here to guide you through public law and human rights matters with clarity and care, helping you understand your rights and take practical steps to challenge decisions made by public bodies.
At Watkins Solicitors, our Public Law and Human Rights team supports individuals, families and professionals across England in situations where decisions have caused real impact or concern. We are widely recognised for our specialist expertise and for acting in complex and often urgent cases where early action is critical.
We understand that situations like this can feel uncertain and time-sensitive. Our approach is to provide clear, practical advice from the outset, helping you understand your position, your options and what can be done next. You will have a team that is approachable, responsive and focused on achieving the best possible outcome for you.
If you would like to discuss your situation, our team offers an initial conversation to help you understand your options and next steps.
We will take the time to understand your situation and give you clear, honest advice about what can be done next.
You can contact us by emailing info@watkinssolicitors.co.uk or calling 0117 939 0350 to speak to a member of the team.
Can I challenge a decision made by a council or public body?
Yes, in many cases. Decisions made by local authorities, government departments and other public bodies can be challenged where they are unlawful, unfair or not made properly. The key issue is not simply whether the decision feels wrong, but whether there is a legal basis to challenge how it was made.
What is the difference between public law and judicial review?
Public law is the area of law that deals with how public bodies make decisions. Judicial review is the legal process used to challenge those decisions where they have not been made lawfully or fairly. We can advise you on whether judicial review or another route is the most appropriate option in your situation.
How long do I have to take action?
Time limits are strict. In many cases, a claim must be brought promptly and within three months of the decision, although some types of cases have shorter deadlines. Delay can affect whether your case can proceed, so it is important to seek advice as soon as possible.
What kinds of decisions can be challenged?
A wide range of decisions can be challenged, including those relating to education, social care, housing, immigration, healthcare, professional regulation and DBS disclosures. The key question is whether the public body acted lawfully in making the decision.
Is judicial review the same as an appeal?
No. An appeal usually looks at whether a decision was right or wrong. Judicial review looks at whether the decision was made properly and in line with the law. In some cases, an appeal or tribunal may be the correct route, and we can help you identify the most appropriate approach.
Do I have to go to court?
Not always. Many cases are resolved before reaching a full court hearing, particularly where early legal action leads to the public body reconsidering or correcting its decision. Our focus is always on resolving matters as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Can I get legal aid for a public law case?
In some cases, yes. Legal aid may be available depending on the type of case and your financial circumstances. Watkins Solicitors holds a Public Law Legal Aid contract and can advise you on whether you may be eligible and guide you through the process.
Can I claim compensation?
Public law claims are mainly about correcting unlawful decisions rather than awarding compensation. In some situations, a separate claim for damages may be possible, depending on the circumstances. We can advise you on whether this applies in your case.