Dinah Rose QC

Called to Bar:
1989
Appointed to silk:
2006
Practice areas:
Degrees:
BA (Hons) First Class, Magdalen College, Oxford (Modern History), Diploma in Law with distinction, City University

Chambers UK 2012

Dinah is ranked as a 'Star at the Bar' with recommendations in seven practice areas.  They are: Administrative & Public Law, Employment Law, Human Rights & Civil Liberties, Professional Discipline & Regulatory, EU & Competition as well as EU & Competition: EU Law, and Telecommunications.  In three of these practice areas, Dinah is ranked in the ‘Star’ category.

  • Star at the Bar: Dinah garners much praise including, “the most dangerous weapon in a solicitor’s arsenal” ... “exceptional all-rounder” ... “she has been involved in some of the most high-profile public law, employment, competition and telecommunications cases to be heard in the last 20 years” ... “a committed and forceful advocate” ... “incredibly quick on her feet” ... “incisive in her analysis” ... “charming manner” ... “ability to deliver arguments concisely” ... “complete lack of pomposity” ... “straight-to-the-point advice” ... “in a class of her own”.
  • Administrative and Public law: Dinah is ranked in the “star” category.  "Outstandingly committed public lawyer who is an exceptionally forceful advocate."  Sources praise "her compelling written arguments and her ability to turn written papers round at short notice.”
  • Human Rights and Civil Liberties: Dinah is ranked in the “star” category -   “riding extremely high, Dinah Rose QC has a broad practice, and acts for both claimants and the government. Constantly in the news, she makes telling and extremely well-received contributions in many of the highlight cases of the day.”
  • Professional Discipline and Regulatory: "a barrister who has truly arrived in the past few years" ... “ something of a polymath” ... "probably the most dangerous weapon in a solicitor's arsenal"
  • Telecommunications: Dinah appears in the top rank – “enjoys an Olympian reputation” ... "tremendous advocate" ... "highly articulate, expansive thinker who comes up with creative solutions"
  • Employment law: Dinah is ranked in the “star” category: "fierce intellect and can really fight her corner in court"
  • EU & Competition and EU & Competition: EU Law - "one of the best silks across the Bar as a whole"

The Legal 500 2011

Dinah is ranked among the Leading Silks in six fields, Administrative & Public Law, Human Rights & Civil Liberties, Employment, Environment, EU and Competition and Professional Discipline and Regulatory.

  • Administrative & public law - “outstanding intellect” ... “brilliant as always”
  • Human Rights & Civil Liberties - “absolutely phenomenal”
  • EU & Competition – “dogged, clear and an excellent advocate”
  • Environment: ranked - recommended
  • Employment law – “is a top-rate barrister who has no downsides to her performance”
  • Professional Discipline and Regulatory - recommended

Who’s Who Legal, Management Labour & Employment 2010 reports "Dinah Rose QC is another 'astonishing' and formative figure at the Chambers, praised for her 'razor-sharp intellect'."

Professional Experience

Dinah’s practice includes judicial review acting both for and against public bodies, contractual and statutory employment law claims, and cases before the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights.

Dinah’s particular interests include human rights, economic, sectoral and professional regulation, fertility treatment and medical ethics, all forms of discrimination, and European employment law.

She was a member of the Treasury "A" Panel until her appointment as Queen’s Counsel.

She is a regular lecturer on public law, human rights and employment law.

Awards

  • Human Rights & Public Law Silk of the Year 2011, Chambers Bar Awards
  • Barrister of the Year, The Lawyer Awards 2009
  • Human Rights Lawyer of the Year 2009 (Liberty & JUSTICE  Human Rights Awards)
  • Public Law and Human Rights Silk of the Year 2009, Chambers Bar Awards

Public Law and Human Rights

Administrative Law:

Dinah acts for both claimants and defendants in judicial review, statutory appeals, and hearings before specialist tribunals including the Competition Appeals Tribunal and the Special Immigration Appeals Commission.

She has advised and represented a wide variety of regulators, including Ofcom, Ofgem, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, the GMC and other medical regulators, the Independent Police Complaints Commission, the Advertising Standards Authority, the Postal Services Commission, The Teaching Standards Council, the Bar Council and the Law Society.

She has represented a variety of Government departments, including the Home Office, the Northern Ireland Office, BIS, the Environment Agency, the Food Standards Agency, and the DCA. She has acted as a Special Advocate in national security cases before SIAC.

Claimants Dinah has represented include companies and individuals with public law complaints against regulators, NGOs with public interest cases, including Corner House and the Campaign against Arms Trade, and individuals whose civil liberties have been infringed. Dinah has also represented JUSTICE, Liberty, and other public interest groups in appellate interventions.

Civil Liberties and Human Rights:

Dinah represents claimants and defendants, including the United Kingdom and foreign Governments, in domestic proceedings and proceedings before the European Court of Human Rights.

Regulation and Professional Discipline:

Dinah regularly represents both regulatory bodies and those subject to regulation, in judicial review applications, statutory appeals and disciplinary proceedings.

Immigration

Dinah undertakes immigration appeals before the Court of Appeal, as well as judicial review relating to immigration and asylum cases. She has a particular interest in national security cases (including cases before SIAC) and the protection of the rights of trafficked women.

Current and recent work

Administrative Law:

  • R (Sinclair Collis) v Secretary of State for Health [2011] EWCA Civ 437
    Representing the claimant in a challenge to the ban on tobacco vending machines, based on Article 34 TFEU.
  • R (Law Society) v Legal Services Commission [2010] EWHC 2550 (Admin)
    Represented the Law Society in a successful judicial review of the tendering process for the Legal Aid scheme for new family law cases.
  • R (Tottenham Hotspur FC) v Newham BC and others
    Representing Tottenham in pending challenge to the decision to appoint West Ham as preferred bidder for the Olympic Stadium. Challenged as an unlawful State Aid.
  • Imperial Tobacco Ltd v Secretary of State for the Home Department
    Representing the Claimant in a pending judicial review of a ban of the display of tobacco products.
  • R (Law Society) v Lord Chancellor [2010] EWHC 1406 (Admin)
    Represented the Law Society successfully in a judicial review of changes to costs rules in criminal cases.
  • Medical Justice v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2010] EWHC 1925 (Admin) (Pending before CA) 
    Represented the Claimant in a successful judicial review of Home Office policy of removing asylum seekers from the UK without notice.
  • R (Binyam Mohamed) v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Office [2009] EWHC 1159 (Admin); [2009] EWHC 152 (Admin); [2010] EWCA Civ 65; [2010] EWCA Civ 158
    Representing the Claimant in judicial review, concerning the UK’s complicity in torture and extraordinary rendition.
  • R (Age UK v Secretary of State for Business Innovations & Skills [2009] EWHC 2336 (Admin); [2010] ILR 260; ECJ Case C-388/07; [2009] ECR I-1569
    Judicial review of default retirement age in new Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006, alleging incompatibility with EU law.  Represented the Defendant. Now referred to the ECJ.
  • R (E) v JFS [2009] EWCA Civ 626 [2009] UKSC 15; [2010] 2 WLR 153
    Representing the Claimant in judicial review of the entry criteria of a Jewish comprehensive school.
  • R (Purdy) v Director of Public Prosecutions [2009] EWCA Civ 92; [2009] UKHL 45; [2009] 1 AC 345
    Representing the DPP in a judicial review concerning the prohibition on assisted suicide. 
  • R (Equitable Members Action Group) v HM Treasury [2009] EWHC 2495 (Admin)
    Representing Claimants impending judicial review of the Government’s refusal to accept findings of mal administration in relation to the collapse of Equitable Life.
  • R (Saunders) v Independent Police Complaints Commission [2009] EWCA Civ 187
    Representing the IPCC in judicial review concerning the fatal shooting of a barrister by police, and police conferring when making statements.
  • Hutchison 3G  UK Ltd v Ofcom/Vodafone v Ofcom [2009] CAT 11
    Representing H3G, in a number of continuing appeals in the CAT against decisions of Ofcom concerning mobile call termination charges and mobile number portability.

Civil Liberties & Human Rights 

  • Ladele v UK
    Representing the applicant in ECtHR in a claim concerning the dismissal of a Christian registrar who refused to perform civil partnerships.
  • R (Sandown Free Presbyterian Church) v Advertising Standards Authority [2011] NIQB 26
    Representing the ASA in a challenge to the ruling on an advertisement attacking a gay pride parade, raising issues of freedom of religion and freedom of expression.
  • R (Chong Nyok Keyu) v Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs
    Representing claimants in pending judicial review arising out of a massacre of villagers in Malaya by British troops in 1948.
  • Al Rawi v Security Services and ors [2011] UKSC 34
    Represented the claimants in an appeal concerning secret evidence in civil proceedings. 
  • R (Smith) v Oxfordshire Assistant Deputy Coroner [2010] UKSC 29; [2010] 3 WLR 223
    Represented the Claimant in the Supreme Court in an appeal concerning the question of whether British troops serving abroad are covered by the Human Rights Act.
  • R (Binyam Mohamed) v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Office [2009] EWHC 1159 (Admin); EWHC 152 (Admin); [2010] EWCA Civ 65; [2010] EWCA Civ 158
    Representing the Claimant in judicial review, concerning the UK’s complicity in torture and extraordinary rendition.
  • R (Purdy) v Director of Public Prosecutions [2009] EWCA Civ 92; [2009] UKHL 45; [2009] 1 AC 345
    Representing the DPP in a judicial review concerning the prohibition on assisted suicide. 
  • BM v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2009] EWHC 1159 (Admin) Representing the Appellant resisting the use of secret evidence in a control order case.

See also cases listed under administrative law, many of which raise human rights issues.

Immigration

  • R (NS) v Secretary of State for Home Office (Pending in CJEU)
    Challenge to the removal of an asylum seeker to Greece on grounds of breach of fundamental rights by the Greek State. It is the first case addressing the scope of rights under the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
  • PO (Nigeria) v of State for Home Office [2011] EWCA Civ 132
    Represented the Appellant in a successful appeal concerning the return of a trafficked woman to Nigeria.
  • Medical Justice v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2010] EWHC 1925 (Admin) (Pending in CA)
    Represented the Claimant in a successful judicial review of Home Office policy of removing asylum seekers from the UK without notice.

European Court of Human Rights

  • Bata v Czech Republic
    Representing the Applicant, in a pending claim concerning the confiscation of extensive property in the former Czechoslovakia in 1948.
  • ZABA V Croatia
    Representing the Applicant in a pending claim concerning the violation of the property rights of a Croatian Bank.

Other cases

Administrative Law:

  • R (Corner House and Campaign Against the Arms Trade) v Serious Fraud Office [2008] UKHL 60; [2008] 3 W.L.R. 568
  • R (Bradley and Others) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Administrative Court (hearing 7 February 2007) CA 7 February 2008 [2008] EWCA Civ 36; [2009] Q.B. 114
  • R (Royal Mail) v Postal Services Commission [2008] EWCA Civ 33 R (Friends of the Earth) v Food Standards Agency [2007] EWHC 558 (Admin); [2008] Env. L.R. 35
  • R (Equal Opportunities Commission) v Secretary of State for Trade & Industry [2007] EWHC 483 (Admin);  [2007] I.R.L.R. 327
  • R (Sinn Fein) v Secretary of State for Northern Ireland [2007] EWHC 12 (Admin)
  • R (Lin) v Secretary of State for Transport (Administrative Court July 2006)
  • R (Da Silva) v DPP and Independent Police Complaints Commission [2006] EWHC 3204 (Admin)
  • R (Burke) v General Medical Council (CA) [2005] EWCA Civ 1003; [2006] Q.B. 273 
  • R (Wilkinson) v Inland Revenue Commissioners (House of Lords) [2005] UKHL 30; [2005] 1 W.L.R. 1718
  • R (Quintavalle) v HFEA (HL) [2005] UKHL 28; [2005] 2 A.C. 561
  • R (Jamba!) v Advertising Standards Authority (Admin Court) [2005] EWHC 2609 (Admin)
  • R (European Roma Rights Center) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2003] EWCA Civ 666; [2004] QB 81
  • A v Leeds Hospital NHS Trust [2003] EWHC 259(QB); (2003) 1 FLR 412
  • X and Y v Mirror Group Newspapers [2003] EWHC 1101 (QB)
  • R (Sporting Options) v Horserace Betting Levy Board [2003] EWHC 1943 (Admin)
  • Anufrijeva v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2003] UKHL 36; [2004] 1 AC 604
  • R (RM) v BBC [2003] HC
  • R (Heather)v Leonard Cheshire Foundation [2002] EWCA Civ 366; [2002] 2 All ER 936
  • R (Widgery Soldiers) v Lord Saville of Newdigate [2001] EWCA Civ 2048; [2002] 1 WLR 1249

Civil Liberties & Human Rights

  • R (Saunders) v Independent Police Complaints Commission [2008] EWHC 2372 (Admin); [2009] 1 All ER 379
  • R (Savage) v South Essex Partnership NHS Trust [2008] UKHL 74
  • Chief Constable of Hertfordshire Police v Van Colle [2008] UKHL 50; [2008] 3 WLR 593
  • R (U) v Secretary of State for the Home Department 
  • MT (Algeria) (2) RB (Algeria) (3) U (Algeria) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2007] EWCA Civ 808
  • MK v Secretary of State for the Home Department SIAC SC/29/2004, 19 May 2006
  • R (Wilkinson) v Inland Revenue Commissioners (House of Lords/ECHR) [2005] UKHL 30; [2005] 1 WLR 1718
  • Evans and Hadley v Amicus Healthcare and others [2003] EWHC 2161 (Fam); (2004) 2 WLR 713; [2004] EWCA Civ 72; (2005) Fam 1
  • In re Mary Bell [2003] EWHC 1101; [2003] EMLR 37
  • R (Rose) v Secretary of State for Health [2002] EWHC 1593 (Admin)
  • In re Maxine Carr

European Court of Human Rights

  • Andreadis v Greece [2004]
  • Megrahi v UK [2002]
  • Former King of Greece v Republic of Greece [2001]
  • Tolstoy v United Kingdom [1995] 20 EHRR 442; [1996] EMLR 152
  • H v United Kingdom
  • Crossland v United Kingdom; Willis v United Kingdom

Environmental Law

  • ECGD v Friends of the Earth [2008] EWHC 638 (Admin); [2008] Env. L.R. 40
  • Ofcom v Information Commissioner (Administrative Court, April 2008)
  • R (Friends of the Earth) v Food Standards Agency [2007] EWHC 558 (Admin); [2008] Env. L.R. 35
  • R (OSS) v Environment Agency; R (SRM) v Environment Agency; Granox v Environment Agency; Onyx Hanson v Environment Agency; Energy Power Resources Ltd v Environment Agency
  • R (Friends of the Earth) v Environment Agency [2003] EWHC 3193 (Admin); [2004] Env. L.R. 31

Professional Discipline

  • Phipps v GMC [2005] EWHC 1608 (Admin); [2006] EWCA Civ 397
  • R (Ghosh) v GMC; Aziz v GMC [2006] EWHC 2743
  • Dzikowski v GMC [2006] EWHC 2468 (Admin)
  • R (Al- Khayat) v GMC [2005] EWHC 2917 (Admin)
  • R (Burke) v General Medical Council (CA) [2005] EWCA Civ 1003; [2006] Q.B. 273
  • Ghosh v GMC [2001] UKPC 29; [2001] 1 W.L.R. 1915
  • R v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, ex parte Mercury Communications (1999) 149 NLJ 1646
  • R v Radio Authority, ex parte Bull [1996] QB 169 (DC); [1998] QB 294 (CA)
  • R v Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority, ex parte Blood [1996] 3 WLR 1176 (QBD); [1997] 2 WLR 806 (CA); [1999] Fam 151 (CA)
  • R v Secretary of State for the Home Department, ex parte O'Brien [1996] 8 Admin LR 121; [1996] COD 171
  • R v ITC ex parte Virgin Television Ltd [1996] EMLR 318
  • R v ITC ex parte Church of Scientology [1996] COD 443
  • R v Secretary of State for the Home Department, ex parte Phull [1996] Imm AR 72 (CA)
  • R v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs ex parte Manelfi [1996] 1 CLY 2520
  • R v Secretary of State for Transport, ex parte Richmond upon Thames (No. 4) [1996] 1 WLR 1005
  • R v Secretary of State for the Home Department, ex parte Fire Brigades Union [1995] 2 AC 513

EU and Competition

Regulatory and Competition

Dinah has a wide-ranging regulatory and competition practice, acting for regulators and regulated undertakings, and has appeared regularly in both domestic courts and tribunals and the European Court of Justice.

Current and recent work

  • H3G v Ofcom
    Representing H3G in pending challenge to new mobile call termination charges. 
  • BT v Ofcom
    Appeal to CAT concerning pricing of telecoms services. Representing intevening communications providers.
  • The Number v Ofcom Case C-16/10 (17 February 2011)
    Representing The Number in CAT appeal against decision rejecting complaint against BT concerning the wholesale charges for directory inquiries information.
  • BSkyB and others v Ofcom [2010] CAT 15 
    Representing Ofcom in pending appeals brought by BSkyB, FA Premier League and other parties against Ofcom’s decision requiring BSkyB to wholesale its sports channels to other broadcasters.
  • Shell and others v OFT
    Representing Shell in pending CAT appeal relating to alleged price fixing in relation to tobacco.
  • J Sainsbury
    Advising J Sainsbury in relation to OFT investigations into the grocery market.
  • H3G v Ofcom [2009] EWCA Civ 683
    Representing H3G in a series of appeals in the CAT and CA against decisions concerning mobile call termination charges.
  • Vodafone v Ofcom [2009] CAT 11
    Representing H3G, intervening in CAT appeal concerning mobile number portability
  • O2 v Ofcom  [2008] EWCA Civ 1373; [2009] Bus. L.R. 794
    Representing Ofcom in CAT and CA. Appeal relating to the auction of the 2.6 spectrum.

Other cases

  • Welsh Water v Corus Plc [2007] EWCA Civ 285 
  • Crehan v Inntrepreneur [2006] UKHL 38; [2007] 1 A.C. 333
  • R (Sporting Options) v Horserace Betting Levy Board [2003] EWHC 1943
  • R (Age Concern) v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
  • R (Equal Opportunities Commission) v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
  • Boyle v EOC [1999] ICR 360 (ECJ)
  • Sirdar v Army Board, The Times, Oct 27, 1999
  • Coote v Granada Hospitality [1999] ICR 100 (ECJ)
  • R v Secretary of State for Social Security, ex parte Taylor, 16.12.99
  • Levez v Jennings (Harlow Pools) Ltd [1999] ICR 521 (ECJ)
  • Brown v Rentokil [1998] ICR 790 (ECJ)
  • Atkins v Wrekin District Council [1997] ICR 75 (ECJ)
  • R v Licensing Authority of the Department of Health, ex parte Scotia Pharmaceuticals [1997] BMLR 171
  • R v Secretary of State for Health, ex parte Generics The Times, February 25 1997
  • R v Secretary of State for Health, ex parte Richardson [1996] ICR 471 (ECJ)
  • Enderby v Frenchay Health Authority [1991] 382 (EAT); [1994] ICR 112 (CA + ECJ)

Telecommunications

Dinah acts regularly for Ofcom and for communications providers, in the CAT and the High Court, and advises on all aspects of telecommunications regulation in the UK.

Current and recent work

  • BT v Ofcom (080) [2011] EWCA Civ 245
    Representing Ofcom in an appeal concerning admissibility of evidence in the CAT. 
  • BT v Ofcom [2010] CAT 15 (Pending in CA)
    Acting for the Altnets intervening in appeal concerning Ofcom’s resolution of a dispute as to BT’s charges for Partial Private Circuits
  • O2 v Ofcom [2010] CAT 25
    Acting for Ofcom in appeal concerning O2’s entitlement to spectrum.
  • The Number v Ofcom Case C-16/10 (17 February 2011)
    Representing The Number in CAT appeal against decision rejecting complaint against BT concerning the wholesale charges for directory inquiries information.
  • H3G v Ofcom [2009] EWCA Civ 683
    Representing H3G in a series of appeals in the CAT and CA against decisions concerning mobile call termination charges.
  • Vodafone v Ofcom [2009] CAT 11
    Representing H3G, intervening in CAT appeal concerning mobile number portability

Other cases

  • O2 v Ofcom  [2008] EWCA Civ 1373; [2009] Bus. L.R. 794

Employment

Dinah has a particular interest and expertise in discrimination and equal pay, and in appellate advocacy. She has considerable experience of the use of mediation to resolve employment disputes.

Current and recent work

  • Clark v MPA
    Representing the claimant in a challenge to overtime pay for part-time police inspectors.
  • North v Dumfries & Galloway CC (pending before the Supreme Court)
    Representing claimants in equal pay claim.
  • Grainger PLC & Ors v Mr T Nicholson [2010] IRLR 4
    Represented the Claimant in an appeal which decided belief in climate change is capable of protection as a philosophical belief.
  • Monster Worldwide v Whitney
    Representing the appellant in an appeal pending before the Court of Appeal, concerning an alleged contractual guarantee to protect rights under a closed final salary pension scheme.
  • Seldon v Clarkson, Wright and Jakes [2010] EWCA Civ 899 (pending before the Supreme Court)
    Intervening for the Secretary of State in appeal concerning the justification of mandatory retirement of a partner in a Solicitor’s firm.
  • R (Age UK v Secretary of State for Business Innovations & Skills [2009] EWHC 2336 (Admin); [2010] ILR 260; ECJ Case C-388/07; [2009] ECR I-1569 Case C-388/07 [2009] ICR 1080
    Representing the Defendant in a judicial review of the default retirement age in the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006, which is alleged to be incompatible with EU law.  [Now referred to the ECJ].
  • Health and Safety Executive v Wilson
    Representing the Claimant in an equal pay claim concerning the use of length of service as a criterion to justify a difference in pay.

Other cases

  • Bloxham v Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (ET) [2007] Pens. L.R. 375
  • Tofeji v BNP Paribas
  • Prebon Yamane Singapore v Spring and others
  • Villalba v Merrill Lynch (EAT) [2007] I.C.R. 469
  • B v BAA (EAT) [2005] ICR 1530 : [2005] IRLR 927
  • Maxcor v Tullett Liberty Ltd
  • Diem (Ho) v Crystal Services Plc (EAT) UKEAT/0398/05/DM, 16 December 2005
  • R (Amicus and others) v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry [2004] EWHC 860 (Admin); [2007] I.C.R. 1176; [2004] I.R.L.R. 430
  • R v MoD, ex parte Leale and Lane
  • Bahl v Law Society (2003) EAT
  • Farr and others (2003)
  • Croft v Royal Mail (2003) CA
  • Lawrence v Regent Office Care (2002) ECJ
  • RCO v Unison (2002) CA
  • Fulham FC v Tigana
  • Williamson and Everington v KoreaOnline
  • Nagarajan v London Underground [1999] 3 WLR 425 (HL (E))
  • French v Barclays Bank [1998] IRLR 646 (CA)
  • Diocese of Hallam v Connaughton [1996] ICR 860 (EAT)
  • Ratcliffe v North Yorkshire County Council [1995] IRLR 439 (HL)
  • MoD v Cannock and others [1994] ICR 918 (EAT
  • James v Eastleigh Borough Council [1990] 2 AC 751 (HL)

Professional Discipline and Regulation

Dinah undertakes many regulation cases. See the Competition and Telecommunications sections for further examples of cases.

Current and recent work

  • R v Advertising Standards Authority, ex parte Free Presbyterian Church
    Northern Ireland High Court; representing the ASA in a challenge to the decision banning an advertisement by the Church attacking sodomy.

Other relevant experience

VAT registration number:  524278446 

Photo of Dinah Rose

one of the best silks across the Bar as a whole 

Chambers UK 2012

Cases

view all

News

view all

absolutely phenomenal 

Legal 500 2011