Protest & Political Interest

Experience

We’ve been representing protestors involved in high profile events for many years.. This includes Extinction Rebellion (protest in central London about climate crisis), Heathrow 13 (protest about 3rd runway and environmental concerns), animal rights (SHAC), Occupy, anti- austerity and trade union marches. We make a difference as we’re experts in these areas.

Experts in reviewing police powers

On each occasion, prosecution cases need to be forensically analysed. This is to determine whether the police were using their powers properly and whether those powers were consistent with the European Convention on Human Rights. Experts in holding the police to account in public order situations, we ensure our client’s fundamental human rights are protected.

Experts in direct action cases

Direct action cases, such as Stansted 15 (seeking to prevent people being unlawfully deported by the Government on Charter flights, where those people’s lives were at risk on return) or where activists sought to prevent promotion of torture and other unlawful weapons at the DSEI arms fair, have their own challenges. Expertise in using justification or necessity defences and showing that the activists were acting in a reasonable and proportionate way to prevent a greater harm from occurring.

Experts in free speech and human rights

HJA also acts in the niche area where your right to free speech is being threatened by other state bodies. For example, we’ve acted where students have been told they will face disciplinary proceedings for protesting or voicing their opinion, and where other institutions take action because of certain held beliefs. This requires lawyers that specialise in European Human Rights but also a background in litigation.

Experts for journalists

As well as protestors or activists, others can be caught up in political actions. We act for journalists who have been covering events and sought to protect and enhance the principle of a free press. Our knowledge and personal commitment to these principles has allowed us to join fights against censorship and to scrutinize police actions in high profile situations.