Leonard Wigg

Leonard has significant public law experience and is regularly instructed in judicial review claims. He has been nominated by the Attorney General to represent the government in the High Court and to advise in public law matters. Leonard is also happy to provide training to professional and lay clients.

Examples of cases:

Detention

• R (on the application of Ali) v SSHD – successfully represented the SSHD in an interim application in the Administrative Court following nomination by the Attorney General. (Reported on WestLaw here)
• R (on the application of MCC) v SSHD- drafted summary grounds defending a Regulation 33 certificate and detention, where Francovich damages were sought.
• R (on the application of RS) v SSHD -drafted summary grounds and response to interim relief application in an unlawful detention claim where accommodation was sought.
• Assisted in a number of claims brought by detainees in Guantanamo Bay.
• Prior to joining chambers, as a litigator, successfully defended the SSHD in the ‘detained fast track 2005 litigation’ which concerned the legality of over 10,000 appeal determinations in a claim ultimately dismissed by the Supreme Court.

Human Rights

• R (on the application of S) v Ministry of Defence (2020) -assisted in challenge to the sufficiency of investigation into deaths of Afghan nationals by British armed forces.

Human Trafficking

• R (on the application of B) v SSHD – drafted summary grounds defending a negative conclusive grounds decision in human trafficking claim.
• Prior to joining chambers, as a litigator, successfully defended the SSHD in a challenge claiming systemic failures in the procedures for dealing with trafficked individuals.

Immigration / Nationality

• R (on the application of KK) v SSHD – drafted statement of reasons resisting permission to appeal in the Court of Appeal.
• Assisted in various matters before the Special Immigration Appeal Commission.

Leonard is regularly instructed in regulatory and disciplinary matters and has a growing practice in this area.

Medical / Healthcare

• Frequently instructed to prosecute (including substantive hearings) on behalf of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

• Previously seconded to the NMC.

Other Regulatory & Disciplinary experience

• Assisted in a matter before the Investigatory Power Tribunal asserting a breach of human rights.

• Prior to joining chambers, defended criminal regulatory matters, including prosecutions brought by the: Civil Aviation Authority, Environment Agency, Trading Standards, and the Department of Work and Pensions.

Leonard has extensive public inquiry experience and is frequently instructed in such matters.

To date, Leonard has been instructed in:

• The Brook House Inquiry

• The Dawn Sturgess Inquiry

• The Grenfell Inquiry

Leonard acts for both Claimants and Defendants in RTA, employer’s liability, and public liability claims. He also advises in claims involving data breaches and where there is a human rights dimension.

Examples of cases:

• Advised and drafted defence in claim for damages following alleged breach of right to have personal data erased (Article 17 GDPR)

• Advised and represented on common law duty of a statutory undertaker.

• Advised and represented defendant insurer, where staged accident alleged.

• Advised and represented a doctor accused of fundamental dishonesty.

• Advised and represented in a public liability claim where the defendant was a under statutory duty to preserve the ‘natural aspect and state’ of the ‘premises’.

Leonard accepts instructions in commercial matters and is pragmatic and conscientious in his advice. Having studied Business Management prior to law, he has a good understanding of the needs of businesses.