Isabel accepts instructions across all the main areas of Chambers' practice, including public and regulatory, public international law, civil liberties and human rights, commercial, employment, sanctions and sport.
From November 2016 to June 2017, Isabel was based in Washington DC working with US attorneys on cases involving US sanctions and white collar and government investigations. Since then, she has acted both led and unled in a range of public, public international and commercial matters. She pairs her commercial practice with substantial pro bono and publicly funded work. And she has particular experience of working - in both a human rights and commercial context - with the application of foreign law. Isabel has appeared before the High Court and County Court.
Before coming to the bar, Isabel worked as a caseworker for Justice Project Pakistan, providing pro bono representation to persons facing the death penalty in Pakistan. Isabel also taught jurisprudence and property law at the University of Glasgow and equity and trusts and contract law at Birkbeck College, University of London. She was a legal panellist and contributor to Protecting Children in Armed Conflict (London: Hart Publishing, 2018). She is the author of Trials: On Death Row in Pakistan (London: Jonathan Cape, 2016) which won the Saltire Scottish First Book Award and was an Economist and Spectator book of the year.
Isabel accepts instructions in all areas of civil liberties and human rights work.
Since starting practice, Isabel has acted both led and unled on matters concerning civil liberties and human rights in both a domestic and international context. Her clients include charities, government departments, the Equality and Human Rights Commission and individual claimants. As a pupil, Isabel worked on a wide range of public law matters, acting for claimants and respondents on both common law human rights claims and claims brought under the European Convention of Human Rights. In addition to publicly funded work, Isabel undertakes substantial pro bono work.
Successfully defended a tort claim brought by 22 Peruvian nationals regarding a protest in Peru. The matter raised issues of foreign act of state, choice of law and corporate liability for alleged human rights abuses by the Peruvian National Police (with Shaheed Fatima QC and Hanif Mussa).
Providing advice on the likelihood of violations of Convention rights (and the rule of law) in a foreign jurisdiction.
Acting for the claimants in a number of cases concerning strip searches in prisons (with Jason Pobjoy).
Acting for the Secretary of State in a judicial review challenging the Secretary of State’s decision to maintain a prisoner’s Category A status (assisting Ivan Hare).
Acting for a group of Libyans said to be members of or affiliated to the LIFG in connection with their detention un the UK, detention and torture abroad and subjection to domestic sanctions (with Thomas de la Mare QC and others).
Advising an applicant on the convention and charter rights potentially relevant to applications under ss. 790ZF and 790ZG (assisting Ivan Hare).
Acting for the General Medical Council in a judicial review challenging rule 6(b) of the Schedule to the General Medical Council (Legal Assessors and Legally Qualified Persons) Rules Order of Council 2015 as unlawful and in breach of article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights (assisting Ivan Hare).
Appearing for the Secretary of State in these cases challenging the Secretary of State’s policy on release of prisoners with a whole life tariff or (as in Du’s case) a tariff which is likely to extend beyond their lifetime on the basis of Article 5 of the ECHR. The cases follow the ECtHR’s decision in Vinter v United Kingdom (2012) 55 EHRR 34 (assisting Ivan Hare who, in Vinter, appeared with James Eadie QC).
Acting for the Secretary of State in a judicial review challenging the Secretary of State’s decision to refuse the claimant’s application for asylum and finding that the claimant could be returned to Iraq (assisting Ivan Hare).
Acting for the Secretary of State in a judicial review challenging the Secretary of State’s policy of accepting the recommendation of a High Court judge in a detention at Her Majesty’s Pleasure tariff review, the Secretary of State’s decision not to allow the claimant to make submissions on the High Court judge’s representation, the Secretary of State’s refusal to review the High Court judge’s decision not to disclose a victim impact statement (assisting Ivan Hare).
Advising the Secretary of State for the Home Department as to the merits of a judicial review challenge to an immigration detention decision (assisting Ivan Hare).
Assisting Jason Pobjoy, acting for the Equality and Human Rights Commission, advising and preparing submissions on the human rights and equality implications of the Grenfell Tower tragedy including, in particular, in relation to the right to life under Article 2 ECHR, the right to adequate and dignified housing, the right to non-discrimination and equality, and children's rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Isabel accepts instructions in all areas of public and regulatory work.
Since starting practice, Isabel has acted both led and unled on public and regulatory matters ranging from human rights claims to commercial public law cases. Whilst on secondment in the US, Isabel worked with attorneys on white collar and government investigations. During pupillage, Isabel gained considerable experience acting for both claimants and respondents and appeared, assisting her supervisors, before the High Court and Court of Appeal.
Acting for a group of Libyans said to be members of or affiliated to the LIFG in connection with their detention un the UK, detention and torture abroad and subjection to domestic sanctions (with Thomas de la Mare QC and others).
Acting for the claimants in a number of cases concerning strip searches in prisons (with Jason Pobjoy).
Advising a charity on the merits of a potential judicial review claim (unled).
Acting for a football club in a high profile arbitral challenge to financial fair play rules in English football (assisting Nick De Marco).
Acting for the Secretary of State in a judicial review challenging the Secretary of State’s decision to maintain a prisoner’s Category A status (assisting Ivan Hare).
Advising a claimant in relation to a potential challenge to a decision of the Chief Coroner relating to the training requirements for coroners (assisting Ivan Hare).
Acting for the General Medical Council resisting the appellant’s appeal against the decision of a Fitness to Practise Panel (assisting Ivan Hare).
Advising the Secretary of State for Justice as to the extent of disclosure required in a judicial review claim (assisting Ivan Hare).
Acting for the General Medical Council resisting the appellant’s appeal against the decision of a Fitness to Practise Panel (assisting Ivan Hare).
Acting for the appellants in an application for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court from the Court of Appeal’s finding that the Employment Tribunal had jurisdiction to hear claims brought under the Equality Act 2010 against the General Medical Council (assisting Ivan Hare).
Acting for the General Medical Council in a judicial review challenging rule 6(b) of the Schedule to the General Medical Council (Legal Assessors and Legally Qualified Persons) Rules Order of Council 2015 as unlawful and in breach of article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights (assisting Ivan Hare).
Advising the General Medical Council on whether allowing registered doctors to serve in the armed forces was compatible with international humanitarian law (assisting Ivan Hare).
Appearing for the Secretary of State in these cases challenging the Secretary of State’s policy on release of prisoners with a whole life tariff or (as in Du’s case) a tariff which is likely to extend beyond their lifetime on the basis of Article 5 of the ECHR. The cases follow the ECtHR’s decision in Vinter v United Kingdom (2012) 55 EHRR 34 (assisting Ivan Hare who, in Vinter, appeared with James Eadie QC).
Acting for the Secretary of State in a judicial review challenging the Secretary of State’s decision to refuse the claimant’s application for asylum and finding that the claimant could be returned to Iraq (assisting Ivan Hare).
Advising a potential claimant in a judicial review claim as to possible grounds of review and the merits of a claim against HMRC (assisting Ivan Hare).
Acting for the Secretary of State in a judicial review challenging the Secretary of State’s policy of accepting the recommendation of a High Court judge in a detention at Her Majesty’s Pleasure tariff review, the Secretary of State’s decision not to allow the claimant to make submissions on the High Court judge’s representation, the Secretary of State’s refusal to review the High Court judge’s decision not to disclose a victim impact statement (assisting Ivan Hare).
Advising the Secretary of State for the Home Department as to the merits of a judicial review challenge to an immigration detention decision (assisting Ivan Hare).
Acting for Her Majesty’s Inspector in a claim for negligent misstatement (assisting Ivan Hare).
Acted for the General Medical Council in these related appeals concerning the circumstances in which a Fitness to Practise Panel can proceed in the absence of a doctor and the admissibility of fresh evidence on appeal to the High Court (assisting Ivan Hare).
Acting for the Secretary of State resisting the claimant’s application for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court (assisting Ivan Hare).
Acting for the Secretary of State in resisting an application for permission to proceed with judicial review challenging the Secretary of State’s decision to temporarily suspend a fisheries management agreement with the States of Guernsey and to temporarily suspend licences issued to fishing vessels of the States of Guernsey (assisting James Segan).
Acting for Defra in defence of a challenge by Greenpeace to the UK’s allocation method for fishing quota and effort, on ground of alleged incompatibility with EU law (assisting James Segan).
Acting for the SFO in a judicial review claim concerning the SFO’s procedure for handling of documentary evidence potentially attracting legal professional privilege (assisting James Segan).
Advice to a commercial fishing company as to whether EU Regulation 404/2011 required the installation of a vessel monitoring system (“VMS”) on-board their vessels and advice as to the merits of a potential judicial review claim challenging a government decision not to grant a licence to vessels without a VMS (assisting James Segan).
Assisting Jason Pobjoy, acting for the Equality and Human Rights Commission, advising and preparing submissions on the human rights and equality implications of the Grenfell Tower tragedy including, in particular, in relation to the right to life under Article 2 ECHR, the right to adequate and dignified housing, the right to non-discrimination and equality, and children's rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Advising a public body on the legality of charges imposed by the police for the provision of special police services (with Nick De Marco QC).
Advising an overseas entity on susceptibility of certain government decisions to judicial review (with David Pannick QC).
Isabel accepts instructions in all areas of commercial litigation.
Since commencing practice, Isabel has acted led and unled on a number of commercial matters. She has gained particular experience of the intersection between commercial and public law. Whilst on secondment in the US, Isabel worked with attorneys on white collar and government investigations. During pupillage, Isabel assisted her pupil supervisors in both tort and contract cases before the High Court.
Successfully defended a tort claim brought by 22 Peruvian nationals regarding a protest in Peru. The matter raised issues of foreign act of state, choice of law and corporate liability for alleged human rights abuses by the Peruvian National Police (with Shaheed Fatima QC and Hanif Mussa).
Counsel for the Claimant in a commercial property dispute relating to appointment of directors and unjustified enrichment (unled).
Acting for the claimant in a claim in unjust enrichment, challenging the police power to charge for the provision of policing services under s. 25 of the Police Act 1996 (assisting Nick De Marco).
Acting for the claimant in a claim for breach of a series of finance agreements (assisting Nick De Marco).
Advising an applicant on the convention and charter rights potentially relevant to applications under ss. 790ZF and 790ZG (assisting Ivan Hare).
Acting for the claimant in a claim for a declaration, an injunction and damages for breach of contract (assisting James Segan).
Advising a potential claimant in a claim for breach of contract on formation and variation of that contract.
Assisting Harish Salve SA on matters of English law relevant to ongoing litigation in India.
Isabel accepts instructions in all areas of public international law.
Since starting practice, Isabel has worked on a number of matters involving PIL elements. She is also a legal panellist and contributor to Protecting Children in Armed Conflict (London: Hart Publishing, 2018). During her pupillage, Isabel appeared before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council on a constitutional appeal from the Court of Appeal of Trinidad and Tobago and provided advice on the application of IHL. Prior to coming to the bar, Isabel worked on litigation brought in the Lahore High Court which challenged the detention of Pakistani detainees in Bagram Airbase, Afghanistan.
Acting for a group of Libyans said to be members of or affiliated to the LIFG in connection with their detention un the UK, detention and torture abroad and subjection to domestic sanctions (with Thomas de la Mare QC and others).
Providing advice on the likelihood of violations of Convention rights (and the rule of law) in a foreign jurisdiction.
Advising the General Medical Council on whether allowing registered doctors to serve in the armed forces was compatible with international humanitarian law (assisting Ivan Hare).
Appeared for appellants in an important constitutional appeal from Trinidad and Tobago concerning the retrospective repeal of a limitation period for certain criminal offences (assisting James Segan who appeared with Michael Beloff QC).
Isabel accepts instructions in all areas of employment work.
Since starting practice, Isabel has worked on a range of employment law issues, providing advice and appearing before the High Court. During pupillage, Isabel assisted her supervisors acting for both claimants and respondents before the Employment Tribunal, the Employment Appeal Tribunal and the Court of Appeal. Many of the matters Isabel worked on are confidential and so not referred to here, or are only referred to with client names anonymised.
Acting for the respondent in a claim of unfair dismissal and discrimination (assisting Nick De Marco).
Acting for the claimant in a claim for damages following the termination of the claimant’s employment contract without notice (assisting Nick De Marco).
Acted for the respondent in direct discrimination, harassment and victimisation claim (assisting Ivan Hare).
Acting for the appellants in an application for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court from the Court of Appeal’s finding that the Employment Tribunal had jurisdiction to hear claims brought under the Equality Act 2010 against the General Medical Council (assisting Ivan Hare).
Acting for a number of care home workers in relation to their High Court breach of contract claim for unpaid wages (assisting Diya Sen Gupta).
Advising on the interrelation of statutory and contractual claims in the Employment Tribunal and contractual claims in the High Court (assisting Diya Sen Gupta).
Acting for Citibank N.A. (2015-2016) defending various claims by former Foreign Exchange traders arising from their dismissal for sharing client confidential information in Bloomberg Chats. These cases have been widely reported in the press. (Assisting Diya Sen Gupta.)
Acting for a claimant in a High Court stigma damages claim against a bank (assisting Tom Linden QC and Diya Sen Gupta).
Acting for the claimant in a team move case (assisting Paul Goulding QC and Diya Sen Gupta).
Isabel accepts instructions in all areas of sport work.
During pupillage Isabel gained a wide range of experience and assisted her pupil supervisors acting for both players/athletes and sports governing bodies. She appeared before first instance and appellate regulatory tribunals and the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Since commencing practice, Isabel has continued to work on similar matters.
Acting for a sports agent in connection with a disciplinary investigation (with Nick De Marco QC).
Advising on the availability of third party cost orders in the event of costs having been awarded against a bankrupt party (assisting Nick De Marco).
Acting for a football club in a high profile arbitral challenge to financial fair play rules in English football (assisting Nick De Marco).
Acting for the claimant in a potential Rule K arbitration (assisting Nick De Marco).
Acting for the player resisting FIFA’s appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the decision of the Saudi Arabian Anti-Doping Appeals Panel (assisting Nick De Marco).
Acting for the claimant in a claim in unjust enrichment, challenging the police power to charge for the provision of policing services under s. 25 of the Police Act 1996 (assisting Nick De Marco).
Acting for the respondent to a charge brought by The FA for breach of the Football Agents Regulations 2009 (assisting Nick De Marco).
Acting for the player defending a charge of an anti-doping rule violation following use of an inhaler (assisting Nick De Marco).
Acting for the RFU in a successful disciplinary prosecution for attempted trafficking of a human growth hormone (assisting James Segan).
Whilst on secondment in the US, Isabel gained experience of US Iran sanctions, working with attorneys challenging and advising on the regime. For reasons of confidentiality, these matters are not detailed here.
LLB (Hons) (Glasgow): First Class; MRes (Glasgow): Distinction; Kennedy Scholar (Harvard); BPTC (BPP): Outstanding, third in year
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