Jane Collier

Jane has an extensive public law practice specialising in data protection, environment (including environmental information), education, freedom of information, human rights, immigration and asylum, National Health Service, prisons and public procurement and social security. She also has an extensive regulatory/public law practice, including utilities regulation, financial services, health and social services and transport.

In the field of environmental law, Jane has appeared in a number of cases concerning environmental protection, as well as advising on various related issues, such as the Habitats and Birds Directives.  She also advises on the application of the Environmental Information Regulations, and last year appeared as Junior Counsel in the Supreme Court in Ofcom v Information Commissioner.  More generally, Jane also advises and represents clients on a number of issues concerning the application of the Freedom of Information Act and the Data Protection Act.

In the regulatory field, Jane’s work has involved utilities regulation, electoral law, medical and health care regulation, legal and financial services regulation, including issues concerning the Financial Ombudsman Service, planning issues and transport regulation, and the law on judicial appointments.  In the immigration field, Jane acts  and advises on issues including asylum and human rights, as well as issues relating to the Immigration (EEA) Regulations, the Immigration rules and work permits.

Jane’s human rights practice spans and complements the whole range of her public law work, including prisons, immigration, environmental law, planning matters and questions arising in regulatory proceedings.

Administrative & Public law:

• Sugar v BBC [2010] EWCA Civ 715
  Junior Counsel for BBC in appeal on the question of when the BBC is subject to the Freedom of Information Act.   
• Data Broadcasting International v Office of Communications [2010] EWHC 1243
  Junior Counsel for Ofcom in judicial review and breach of contract claim concerning the legal effect of broadcasting licences.
• Dore v Leicestershire County Council and Governors of St Hardulph’s School [2010] EWHC 34
  Junior Counsel for Leicestershire County Council and governors in judicial review and Chancery Division case concerning the community’s use of school premises. 
• HJ (Iran) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2009] EWCA Civ 172, [2010] UKSC 31
  Junior Counsel for Secretary of State in case concerning the Refugee Convention. 
• East Riding of Yorkshire Council v Information Commissioner and York Place EA/2009/09
  Counsel for York Place in the First Tier Tribunal in case raising issues about when a public authority must provide information free of charge.
• Office of Communications v the Information Commissioner and T-Mobile EA/2006/0078, 4 September 2007, [2008] EWHC 1445, [2009] EWCA Civ 90, [2010] UKSC 3
  Junior Counsel for Ofcom in Information Tribunal, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court in case concerning the effect of the Environmental Information Regulations and the EU Directive on access to environmental information, and the application of the public interest test.  
• Boggis v Natural England and Waveney District Council [2008] EWHC 2954 (Admin), [2009] EWCA Civ 1061
  Junior Counsel for Defendant in case concerning the Defendant’s powers to notify a site of special interest and the effect of the EU Habitats Directive and the Habitats Regulations.
• JM and OO v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2009] EWCA Civ 1432
  Counsel for Secretary of State in case concerning the Refugee Convention and the EU Qualification Directive  
• Mersey Tunnel Users Association v Information Commissioner and Halton Borough Council [2010] UKITEA 20009 0001
  Counsel for Halton Borough Council defending appeal to Information Tribunal in case concerning decision on disclosure of information under the Environmental Information Regulations.
• Latimer v Information Commissioner and Environment Agency [2009] UKIT EA 2008 0018
  Counsel for the Environment Agency in case in the Information Tribunal concerning the Environmental Information Regulations and the question of when requests for information are manifestly unreasonable.
• Williams v Information Commissioner and Cardiff Vale Trust EA/2008/0042
  Counsel for NHS Trust defending appeal to the Information Tribunal against decision on disclosure of information. 
• MA (Palestinian Territories) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2008] EWCA Civ 304
  Counsel for the Appellant in appeal concerning the relationship between statelessness and asylum.
• LJ (Albania) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2008] EWCA Civ 127
  Counsel for Defendant in appeal concerning asylum and human rights.

Environmental law:

• Office of Communications v the Information Commissioner and T-Mobile EA/2006/0078, 4 September 2007, [2008] EWHC 1445; [2009] EWCA Civ 90, [2010] UKSC 3
  Junior Counsel for Ofcom in Information Tribunal, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court in case concerning the effect of the Environmental Information Regulations and the application of the public interest test.
• East Riding of Yorkshire Council v Information Commissioner and York Place EA/2009/09
  Counsel for York Place in the First Tier tribunal in case raising issues about when a public authority must provide information under the Environmental Information Regulations free of charge
• Boggis v Natural England and Waveney District Council  [2008] EWHC 2954 (Admin) [2009] EWCA Civ 1061
  Junior Counsel for Defendant in the Administrative Court and Court of Appeal in case concerning the Defendant’s powers to notify a site of special interest and the effect of the Habitats Directive and the Habitats Regulations.
• Mersey Tunnel Users Association v Information Commissioner and Halton Borough Council EA/2009/0001
  Counsel for Halton Borough Council defending appeal to Information Tribunal in case concerning a decision on disclosure of information under the Environmental Information Regulations  
• Latimer v Information Commissioner and Environment Agency [2009] UKIT EA 2008 0018
  Counsel for the Environment Agency in case in the Information Tribunal concerning the Environmental Information Regulations and the question of when requests for information are manifestly unreasonable.
• R (Western Power Distribution Investments Ltd) v Countryside Council for Wales [2007] EWHC 50 (Admin) - Junior Counsel for Defendant in case concerning CCW’s powers to notify a site as being of special scientific interest. 
• R (The Hon Patrick Fisher) v English Nature [2003] EWHC 1599 (Admin); [2004] EWCA 663 - Junior Counsel for English Nature in case concerning English Nature’s powers to designate sites as sites of special scientific interest, and the impact of Article One of the First Protocol. 
• R (Aggregate Industries) v English Nature [2002] EWHC 908 [2003] Env L R 3 - Junior Counsel for English Nature in case concerning English Nature's powers to designate sites as sites of special scientific interest, and the Article 6 right to a fair trial. 

Human Rights:

• Sugar v BBC [2010] EWCA Civ 715
  Junior Counsel in Court of Appeal in case concerning when the BBC is subject to the Freedom of Information Act, and the impact of Article 10 and freedom of expression. 
• HJ (Iran) v Secretary of State for the Home Department UKAIT 00044, [2009] EWCA Civ 172 [2010] UKSC Civ 172
  Counsel for the Secretary of State in Asylum and Immigration Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, and Junior Counsel in the Supreme Court, in case concerning the application of the Refugee Convention.
• JM and OO v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2009] EWCA Civ 1432
  Counsel for Secretary of State in case concerning the Refugee Convention, the EU Qualification Directive, and Article 8 of the ECHR
• PA (Ghana) v Secretary of State 2009
  Counsel for Secretary of State in appeal concerning the effect of the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations and the Directive on free movement within the EU
• MA (Palestinian Territories) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2008] EWCA Civ 304
  Counsel for the Appellant, concerning the relationship between statelessness and asylum.
• LJ (Albania) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2008] EWCA Civ 127
  Counsel for Defendant in appeal concerning asylum.

Freedom of Information:

• Sugar v BBC [2010] EWCA Civ 715
  Junior Counsel in Court of Appeal in case concerning when the BBC is subject to the Freedom of Information Act, and the impact of Article 10 and freedom of expression. 
• Office of Communications v the Information Commissioner and T-Mobile EA/2006/0078, 4 September 2007, [2008] EWHC 1445, [2009] EWCA Civ 90, [2010] UKSC 3
  Junior Counsel for Ofcom in the Tribunal, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court in appeal concerning the effect of the Environmental Information Regulations and the EU Directive on access to environmental information, and the application of the public interest test.  
• East Riding of Yorkshire Council v Information Commissioner and York Place EA/2009/09
  Counsel for York Place in the First Tier Tribunal in case raising issues about when a public authority must provide information free of charge.
• Mersey Tunnel Users Association v Information Commissioner and Halton Borough Council EA/2009/0001
  Counsel for Halton Borough Council defending appeal to Information Tribunal in case concerning a decision on disclosure of information under the Environmental Information Regulations  
• Latimer v Information Commissioner and Environment Agency [2009] UKIT EA 2008 0018
  Counsel for the Environment Agency in case in the Information Tribunal concerning the Environmental Information Regulations and the question of when requests for information are manifestly unreasonable.
• Williams v Information Commissioner and Cardiff Vale Trust EA/2008/0042
  Counsel for NHS Trust defending appeal to the Information Tribunal against decision on disclosure of information. 

Immigration and Nationality:

• HJ (Iran) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2009] EWCA Civ 172, [2010] UKSC 31
  Junior Counsel for Secretary of State in case concerning the Refugee Convention. 
• JM and OO v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2009] EWCA Civ 1432
  Counsel for Secretary of State in case concerning the Refugee Convention and the EU Qualification Directive.  
• MA (Palestinian Territories) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2008] EWCA Civ 304
  Counsel for the Appellant in appeal concerning the relationship between statelessness and asylum.
• LJ (Albania) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2008] EWCA Civ 127
  Counsel for Defendant in appeal concerning asylum and human rights.
• Sentono v Secretary of State for Home Department Asylum and Immigration Tribunal
  Counsel for Appellant employee in case concerning leave to remain under the Immigration Rules
• Bar Pro Bono Unit: Jane is also an immigration case reviewer for the Bar Pro Bono Unit.  

Local Government:

• Dore v Leicestershire County Council and Governors of St Hardulph’s School [2010] EWHC 34
  Junior Counsel for Leicestershire County Council and governors in judicial review and Chancery Division case concerning the community’s use of school premises. 
• East Riding of Yorkshire Council v Information Commissioner and York Place EA/2009/09
  Counsel for York Place in the First Tier Tribunal in case raising issues about when a public authority must provide information free of charge.
• Mersey Tunnel Users Association v Information Commissioner and Halton Borough Council EA/2009/0001
  Counsel for Halton Borough Council defending appeal to Information Tribunal in case concerning a decision on disclosure of information under the Environmental Information Regulations.  
  

Administrative & Public law:

• Bromley v Information Commissioner and the Environment Agency EA/2006/0072, 31 August 2007
• G (Eritrea) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2007] EWCA Civ 801
• KR (Iraq) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2007] EWCA Civ 154
• R (J) v Secretary of State for Home Department [2006] EWCA Civ 1238
• R (K) v Secretary of State for Home Department [2006] EWHC 1208 (Admin)
• R (Iran) v Secretary of State for Home Department [2005] EWCA 982
• R (Goldance) v Financial Ombudsman Service 2005 [EWHC] 2220 (Admin)
• R (Tufano) v Chief Constable of Hertfordshire [2005] EWHC 1230 (Admin)
• R (Howe) v South Durham Magistrates Court [2004] EWHC 362 (Admin)
• R (G) v Legal Services Commission [2004] EWHC 276 (Admin)
• Challender v Legal Services Commission [2004] EWHC 925 (Admin)
• R (Campbell) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2003] EWHC 2681, [2003] All ER (D) 467 (Oct)
• R (ICD Publishing) v Secretary of State [2003] EWHC 1761 (Admin)
• Dr Raji v General Medical Council [2003] UKPC 24, [2003] 1 WLR 1052
• R (Green) v Financial Ombudsman Service [2003] EWHC 338 (Admin) [2003] All ER (D) 339
• R (M) v London Borough of Bromley [2002] EWCA 1113, [2002] 2 FLR 802, [2002] FLR 815
• R (Aggregate Industries) v English Nature [2002] EWHC 908 [2003] Env L R 3
• R (Cream) v GMC [2002] EWHC 436
• R (Alliss) v Legal Services Commission [2002] EWHC 2079

Environmental law:

• Bromley v Information Commissioner and the Environment Agency EA/2006/0072, 31 August 2007
• R (Aventis) v DEFRA - Junior Counsel for Friends of the Earth

Human Rights:

• AG (Eritrea) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2007] EWCA Civ 801
• KR (Iraq) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2007] EWCA Civ 154
• R (J) v Secretary of State for Home Department [2006] EWCA Civ 1238
• R (K) v Secretary of State for Home Department [2006] EWHC 1208 (Admin)
• R (Iran) v Secretary of State for Home Department [2005] EWCA 982
• R (Howe v South Durham Magistrates Court [2004] EWHC 362 (Admin)
• R (The Hon Patrick Fisher) v English Nature [2003] EWHC 1599 (Admin); [2004] EWCA 663
• R (Dickson) v Secretary of State for Home Department [2004] EWCA Civ 1477
• Challender v Legal Services Commission [2004] EWHC 925 (Admin)
• R (C) v Immigration Appeal Tribunal [2003] EWHC 883 (Admin)
• R (Sritharan) v Secretary of State for Home Department [2003] EWHC 181
• R (Alliss) v Legal Services Commission [2002] EWHC 2079
• R (S) v Independent Appeal Panel of Liverpool City Council
• R (Aggregate Industries) v English Nature [2002] EWHC 908 [2003] Env LR 3
• R v The Immigration Appeal Tribunal ex parte Home Department [2001] EWHC Admin 1067

Freedom of Information:

• Bromley v Information Commissioner and the Environment Agency EA/2006/0072, 31 August 2007

Immigration and Nationality:

• AG (Eritrea) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2007] EWCA Civ 801
• KR (Iraq) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2007] EWCA Civ 154
• R (J) v Secretary of State for Home Department [2006] EWCA Civ 1238
• R (K) v Secretary of State for Home Department [2006] EWHC 1208 (Admin)
• R (Iran) v Secretary of State for Home Department [2005] EWCA 982 J
• R (J) v Secretary of State for Home Department [2006] EWCA Civ 1238
• R (K) v Secretary of State for Home Department [2006] EWHC 1208 (Admin)
• R (Iran) v Secretary of State for Home Department [2005] EWCA 982

Local Government:

• R (M) v London Borough of Bromley [2002] EWCA 1113, [2002] 2 FLR 802, [2002] FLR 815
• R (S) v Independent Appeal Panel of Liverpool City Council

Jane advises on a range of EU law issues including public procurement, state aids, the effect of the Data Protection directive and Directive on access to environmental information; environmental protection directives and the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts regulations. 

• Office of Communications v the Information Commissioner and T-Mobile EA/2006/0078, 4 September 2007, [2008] EWHC 1445, [2009] EWCA Civ 90, [2010] UKSC 3
  Junior Counsel for Ofcom in the Tribunal, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court in appeal concerning the effect of the Environmental Information Regulations and the EU Directive on access to environmental information; and the Database Directive. 
• PA (Ghana) v Secretary of State 2009
  Counsel for Secretary of State in appeal concerning the effect of the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations and the Directive on free movement within the EU.
• Boggis v Natural England and Waveney District Council  [2008] EWHC 2954 (Admin) [2009] EWCA Civ 1061
  Junior Counsel for Defendant in the Administrative Court and Court of Appeal in case concerning the Defendant’s powers to notify a site of special interest and the effect of the Habitats Directive and the Habitats Regulations.

Jane has acted and advised in a number of cases involving contractual disputes and sale and supply of goods and services. Amongst these she has advised and acted as Junior Counsel to the Government in several major sets of commercial proceedings involving contractual disputes and public procurement issues, as well as advising on possible proceedings against a local authority.  

Jane’s interests in this field have led to her instruction in cases dealing with professional negligence; EC law; insurance; computer law; carriage of goods; company law; conflict of laws and public procurement.

• Data Broadcasting International v Ofcom [2010] EWHC 1243
  Junior Counsel in judicial review and breach of contract claim concerning the legal effect of statutory licences. 
• Office of Fair Trading - Jane was also involved in the Office of Fair Trading’s work on bank charges, and the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 and EU Directive on unfair terms in consumer contracts.  She has also advised on issues relating to building societies regulation.   
• Jane’s work in freedom of information frequently involves her in issues relating to commercial confidentiality, breach of confidence, intellectual property rights and competition issues - for example in:
  Ofcom v Information Commissioner and T-Mobile EA/2006/0078, 4 September 2007, [2008] EWHC 1445; [2009] EWCA Civ 90, [2010] UKSC 3
  Mersey Tunnel Users Association v Information Commissioner and Halton Borough Council EA/2009/0001 
  Jane’s advisory public work also frequently raises commercial issues such as questions relating to corporate personality, and the protection of consumer interests and property rights.

Jane’s regulatory practice includes advising and acting both for regulatory -authorities and for other parties. She has advised the Financial Services Authority on various questions relating to financial services regulation, including the then draft Financial Services and Markets Bill and the regulatory regime, and has also advised and acted in matters concerning the Financial Ombudsman Service.  Cases in this area have included acting as second junior for IMRO in the disciplinary action against individuals arising out of the Peter Young unit trusts affair.

Jane was also involved in the Office of Fair Trading’s work on bank charges, and the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 and EU Directive on unfair terms in consumer contracts.   She has also advised on issues relating to building societies regulation. 

Before coming to the Bar Jane worked at the Bank of England, firstly in the International Division and latterly as a senior manager in the Financial Markets and Institutions Division of the Bank. Her work included developing Bank policy on regulatory and commercial developments in the financial services markets, and advising the Department of Trade and Industry, Securities and Investments Board and Inland Revenue on regulation and fiscal policy.