We specialise in helping those who’ve faced unlawful discrimination to get justice.
Our Civil Liberties & Human Rights team have the skills and experience to help with discrimination claims or challenges against service providers and public bodies.
It is unlawful to discriminate against someone because of a protected characteristic.
Protected characteristics are those which are defined under The Equality Act 2010. These are:
"THE KNOWLEDGE AND PROFESSIONALISM THEY BOUGHT, WITHOUT A DOUBT, GOT US THE OUTCOME OUR DAUGHTER DESERVED."
"WE CAN'T EXPRESS HOW GRATEFUL WE ARE TO HJA...WITHOUT THEM ANSWERS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN REACHED AND WE WOULD NEVER HAVE KNOWN THE TRUTH."
We understand how difficult it is to come forward and talk about what has happened, particularly for people who have been humiliated and upset by their treatment. We’re experienced at providing support and advice every step of the way.
It’s unlawful to discriminate against someone because of a protected characteristic. For example, the police cannot stop and search someone simply because he is a young, black male; there must be an objective reason.
It’s also unlawful to treat someone the same when they need to be treated differently because of their protected characteristic. For example, it may be unlawful to refuse to provide a lift, if that prevents disabled people from accessing facilities.
It’s unlawful to victimise someone because they’ve complained of discrimination.
Public bodies also have to take active steps to promote equality, prevent discrimination and promote good relations between different groups. It’s unlawful for those bodies to fail to have regard to this duty when carrying out their activities.
Our Civil Liberties team has a long history of successful challenges brought on behalf of people who have suffered unlawful discrimination. If you’ve been discriminated against, we will assist you in getting financial compensation and, in certain cases, in getting public bodies to change their decisions or policies to avoid continuing discrimination.
Our team knows the legal complexities of these cases. They have experience in challenging all bodies, from local authorities and the police to government departments and private companies. We know how daunting it is for an individual to take on a large institution and we’re here to support you throughout.
We’re top-ranked in Chambers UK for Police Law and also ranked for Civil Liberties & Human Rights and Administrative & Public Law. We’re also ranked in Legal 500 for Civil Liberties & Human Rights and Administrative and Public Law.
“They have really made their mark in this field.” – Chambers UK, 2025
“HJA combines one of the strongest reputations for civil liberties work of any UK firm with an outstanding client service in every single case I have worked with the firm over many years” – Legal 500, 2025
Our team of highly experienced human rights solicitors will provide you with the help and advice you need. Contact us by telephone or through our online form to seek advice from our specialist team.
Once we have the information we need we’ll carry out a case review and contact you to tell you if we can assist you with your case. If we’re able to help we’ll arrange a time to meet to discuss what you wish to achieve in greater detail.
One of our specialist solicitors will help you find the best possible resolution.
Our cases include:
“YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAW, YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO FIGHT A CASE LIKE OURS, YOUR KINDNESS TO US ON A PERSONAL LEVEL AND YOUR STEADFAST APPROACH IS SOMETHING THAT WE WILL NEVER FORGET”.
