MEET:
Zoë Leventhal KC
“Zoë is a step ahead of everyone else. She is a superb advocate - her style, approach and wisdom really stand out.”
CHAMBERS & PARTNERS
Zoë practises in all areas of public law & human rights, and environmental law. She has over 20 years’ experience involving some of the most complex and high profile cases in these areas, ranging from the lawfulness of the Covid-19 restrictions (Dolan v SoS for Health), to the lawfulness of new offshore oil and gas licences (Oceana v SoS for Energy & Net Zero) and to the compatibility of the benefit cap with discrimination law (DA & DS, and SG v SSWP).
Zoë acts for a diverse range of clients including individuals, NGOs, corporate entities, and all types of public authorities and regulatory bodies. She is known both for being client-focussed and for her collaborative leadership.
She was appointed as Queen’s Counsel in 2022. Prior to taking Silk, she was a member of the Attorney General’s A panel of counsel and on the Equality & Human Rights Commission’s panel of counsel.
Zoë is ranked as a leading practitioner across all her areas of practice in the legal directories. In 2026 and in 2024, she was nominated by Legal 500 as Bar Environment & Sustainability Champion. In 2021, Zoë was nominated as Public Law & Human Rights Junior of the Year at the Chambers Bar Awards.
Zoë’s particular areas of expertise include welfare benefits and asylum support, the law of climate and nature, health and social care, equality & human rights law, and education. A full list of her cases is here.
Zoë is consistently instructed in high profile and complex judicial reviews, claims under the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010. She acts for a diverse range of clients including individuals, charities & NGOs, corporate entities. central government departments, local authorities and other public bodies.
She has expertise across the public law spectrum, in areas such as welfare benefits, health and social care, immigration and asylum, education, local government and regulatory & commercial judicial review. Recent clients include Liberty, Women’s Aid, Ofgem, the Disclosure & Barring Service, Ofsted, the Office of Rail & Road and the Secretary of State for Health & Social Care.
Zoë is particularly well-known for her discrimination expertise and has brought and defended many of the leading Article 14 ECHR and Equality Act 2010 cases of recent years, particularly in the field of welfare benefits and health and social care.
Chambers & Partners (2022) (Admin & public law) describes Zoe as “… a really excellent barrister to lead a case: she is attuned to the strengths of her team and has a really good strategic vision.” Prior to taking silk, she was nominated as Public Law & Human Rights junior of the year at the Chambers & Partners Bar Awards 2021.
Zoë Leventhal KC spoke at the White Paper Conference on the 21st June 2023 on ‘Where are the limits of the Duty of Candour for defendants, claimants and interested parties, supported by caselaw and practical examples?’ Click here for a copy of her presentation.
Significant cases include:
- Secretary of State for Work & Pensions v Akhtar [2021] EWCA Civ 1353; [2022] 1 W.L.R. 421 (scope of bereavement payments for widows of polygamous marriages)
- Hughes v Pension Protection Fund [2021] EWCA Civ 1093; [2022] I.C.R. 215 (age discrimination in the Pension Protection Fund)
- NB v SSHD [2021] EWHC 1489 (Admin); [2021] 4 W.L.R. 92 (whether accommodating asylum seekers at Napier barracks was compatible with basic standards of human dignity during Covid)
- Dolan v SSHSC [2020] EWCA Civ 1605 (lawfulness of ‘lockdown’ measures)
- Hussain v SSHSC [2020] EWHC 1392 (Admin) (whether restrictions on mosques during Ramadan breached Art 9 ECHR);
- Francis v SSHSC [2020] EWHC 3287 (Admin) (public health powers to make self-isolation regulations)
- Rowley v Cabinet Office [2021] EWHC 2108 (Admin); [2022] 1 W.L.R. 1179 (reasonable adjustments for British Sign Language users at the Covid daily briefings)
- TP, AR & SXC v SSWP [2020] EWCA 37 (lack of transitional protection constituted discrimination against severely disabled people); and TP & AR (No 3) v SSWP [2022] EWHC 123 (Admin) (transitional payments remained discriminatory)
- DMA v SSHD [2020] EWHC 3416 (Admin); [2021] 1 W.L.R. 2374 (breach of the reasonable adjustments duty in the asylum support scheme)
- SH v Norfolk County Council [2020] EWHC 3436 (Admin); [2021] P.T.S.R. 969 (care charges imposed on severely disabled people discriminatory)
- Npower v Ofgem [2018] EWHC 3576 (Admin) (lawfulness of Ofgem’s price cap)
- DA & DS v SSWP [2019] UKSC 21; [2019] 1 W.L.R. 3289 (revised benefit cap / compatibility with Art 14 ECHR / UNCRC); JS v SSWP [2015] UKSC 16; [2015] 1 W.L.R. 1449 (original benefit cap litigation)
- Buxton v SSWP [2018] EWHC 2196 (Admin); [2019] P.T.S.R. 502 (lawfulness of DWP’s Access to Work grant scheme for British Sign Language users)
- Re Northern Irish Human Rights Commission [2018] UKSC 27; [2019] 1 All E.R. 173 (compatibility of criminalisation of abortion with the ECHR)
- Reilly & Hewstone v SSWP [2016] EWCA Civ 413; [2017] Q.B. 657 (compatibility of retrospective benefit legislation with Arts 6 and A1P1)
- National Aids Trust v NHSE [2016] EWCA Civ 1100; [2017] 1 W.L.R. 1477 (power of NHS England to commission PREP (preventative HIV medication))
- Rights of Women v Lord Chancellor [2016] EWCA Civ 91; [2016] 1 W.L.R. 2543 (evidence requirements for domestic violence victims to qualify for legal aid were unlawful)
- Mirga v SSWP [2016] UKSC 1; [2016] 1 W.L.R. 481 (welfare benefits under the Workers Registration Scheme under EU law)
- Occupy St Pauls (Samede) v Corporation of London [2012] EWCA Civ 160; [2012] 2 All E.R. 1039 (lawfulness of protests at St Paul’s cathedral)
- Wright v Secretary of States for Education & Health [2009] UKHL 3; [2009] 1 A.C. 739 (compatibility of safeguarding scheme for children and vulnerable adults with Arts 6 and 8 ECHR)
- RJM v SSWP [2008] UKHL 63; [2009] 1 A.C. 311 (non-contributory benefits fall within ambit of A1P1 and discrimination under Art 14 ECHR in respect of homeless persons and disability premium)
- Rapp v Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman [2015] EWHC 1344 (Admin); [2015] E.L.R. 439 (principles applicable to review of Ombudsman’s decisions)
- Cruelty Free International v SSHD [2017] EWHC 3295 (Admin) (licensing of botox and animal testing)
- JK (Burundi) v SSHD [2017] EWCA Civ 433; [2017] 1 W.L.R. 4567 (asylum support payments and best interests of the child)
- Brian Haw v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2006] EWCA Civ 532; [2006] Q.B. 780 (lawfulness of the restrictions on protest in Parliament Square)
Zoë has broad experience across the environmental law spectrum and is a recognised expert this field, having been nominated in 2024 and 2026 for the Legal 500’s Bar ESG award. She acts frequently in complex judicial review challenges and regularly advises government bodies, claimants and NGOs on a range of legal issues, with particular expertise in climate and nature law, with a background in planning work. Highlights include:
- Oceana v Secretary of State for Energy & Net Zero [2025] EWHC 3146 (Admin) – acting for the marine conversation organisation challenging the decision to approve new oil and gas licences in Marine Protected Areas of the North & Eastern Irish sea and its compatibility with the Habitats Directive
- Wales & West Utilities v Competition & Markets Authority [2026] EWHC 99 (Admin) – lawfulness of price control decision for gas & electricity operators
- Dean v Mitchell & Secretary of State for Levelling Up Housing & Communities [2023] H.L.R. 44 – compatibility of Mobile Homes Act 1983 with Art 8 ECHR
- Avery & RSPB v Natural England [2021] EWCA Civ 1637; [2022] Env. L.R. 15 – lawfulness of trial of brood management scheme for Hen Harriers under Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and Birds Directive
- Turner v SSCLG [2015] EWCA Civ 582 – apparent bias in the planning process regarding proposed redevelopment of Southbank Shell Centre
- Bowen-West v SSCLG [2012] Env LR 22 – meaning of indirect, secondary and cumulative effects under the EIA Directive
Zoë acts for individuals (often through FRU), for NGOs (such as CPAG, Z2K, PLP and Mind) and for the DWP, CSA, HMRC and DoH. She has developed considerable expertise across the full spectrum of benefits, in addition to child support as well related pensions issues. Zoë’s cases frequently involve HRA and/or EU law issues.
Zoe has a strong reputation in health, mental capacity and community care work, and has been involved in some of the leading cases in recent years. She acts for and against NHS bodies in contractual / pensions disputes, and in judicial reviews for and against NHS bodies and local authorities in respect of primary, secondary and social services issues (e.g. GP surgery closures, NHS continuing healthcare, consultation, health inequalities, section 17 support and asylum support). She appears regularly in the Court of Protection on medical treatment and personal welfare cases (including DoLs), and also acts for the Care Quality Commission.
Zoë speaks regularly at seminars on her areas of expertise and interest. She has been a member of the Bar Council’s Climate Crisis Working Group since its inception in 2021 and sits on the Bar Sustainability Network’s Advisory Panel.
She is a member of ALBA’s Executive Committee and a member of UKELA. Zoë is also a Trustee of the Environmental Law Foundation.
Zoë is a mentor for the charity Lawyers Who Care and takes an active role in widening access to the Bar by supporting students in schools and universities.
Zoë is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. In order to provide legal services to their clients, including advice and representation services, Zoë needs to collect and hold personal data. This includes their client’s personal data and the personal data of others who feature in the matter upon which they are instructed. To read Zoë’s privacy notice in full, please see here.
"A powerful court advocate who expertly argues her case. Her calm but piercing advocacy is extremely effective, and she is excellent at getting judges on side."
"She makes the right call every time." "She works very hard and gets the results." "Zoë is a fantastic advocate."
"She achieves great results for her clients in an effective and understated way." "She is very proactive and has a charming manner in court." "Zoë is totally on top of her cases."
"She has a determination to secure the best results for our client." "Zoe has an impressive grasp of the legal issues and a really clear ability to keep on top of all of the issues in the case." "She is brilliant at what she does." "Zoe is always extremely helpful and thorough in her work."
"Zoe has a creative claimant-minded approach to public law." "She is brilliant on her feet, really good in court and has great judgement." "Zoe is very clever and astute and a great thinker."
"A real star. She is incredibly thoughtful, yet practical, and is fantastic with clients. Her advocacy is persuasive and she is a brilliant negotiator."
"Zoe is a top choice for discrimination judicial reviews; she's a great advocate."
"She is good with clients and easy to deal with."
"Zoë is a real star. She is a brilliant negotiator and fantastic with clients."
"She is absolutely brilliant; she has amazing attention to detail, even for a silk, and she prepares cases so well." "She's been an excellent, supportive leader with an incredible ability to get to the heart of cases, regardless of their difficulty. She is an immensely persuasive advocate." "She has excellent judgement and is very collegiate. She makes everyone feel involved."
"Zoe is highly forensic and incredibly inventive - she is very well respected." "She is incredibly strong on the law."
"Zoe is a very good and persuasive advocate."
"She knows the law and has incredible integrity. She's really quite fantastic across a range of areas."
"She is passionate about her cases and puts forward her client's cases with zest and energy, applying strong intellectual qualities."
"A top environmental lawyer who thinks fast and always tactically, and who carefully and fairly puts across the legal position."
"Zoe is super-smart and a complete expert in discrimination law and equality rights. Very impressive with her advocacy in the court room."
"Zoe is really thoughtful and writes eloquent submissions." "Zoe is very thorough and has good judgement."
"She is very astute and very quick at grasping legal issues."
"Zoe is a talented and erudite advocate. She is ferocious when she needs to be and restrained when necessary." "She is a smart and thoughtful barrister." "She is very hard-working and really good to talk to and bounce ideas off."
"She is a really excellent barrister to lead a case: she is attuned to the strengths of her team and has a really good strategic vision." "She works hard and advocates effectively for her clients."
"Well on her way to silk. Really excellent and very approachable."
"Her written work is exceptional and she’s very switched on.” “She is clear and thoughtful in the way she presents her arguments."
"She cuts straight to the point very easily and is a precise and economical lawyer – she doesn’t waste time.” “Excellent communication skills and analytical abilities.” “She’s down to earth and highly approachable, and has excellent public law knowledge. She’s also an impressive advocate and is very robust when she needs to be, delivering great results for her clients."
"She’s brilliant.” “She has a very good legal mind."
"She’s a creative, knowledgeable and very reliable barrister, and is a real pleasure to work with.” “Absolutely outstanding. She’s incredibly intelligent, dedicated and hard-working. She’s very patient and approachable with clients, and highly effective at dismantling her opponents’ case."
"She’s extremely responsive, proactive and very good to work with. Her written work is of the highest quality."
"An extremely personable and approachable barrister who is very knowledgeable on the law. She is both intelligent and strategic.” “Very persistent in a measured way when on her feet” and “a great legal analyst."
"She is intelligent as well as calm, and very user-friendly."
"A superstar who does an impressive mix of significant work for claimants as well as for central government.” “She’s very pleasant and modest, which can lull the opposition into a false sense of security, but she’s always well prepared and very bright and makes really good arguments."
"Extremely hard-working and dedicated advocate who really does her absolute best for clients. She combines real intellectual strength with a very attractive presentation style in court.” “She works hard to master the detail on a case and gives good, practical advice."
"Her submissions are impressive; she is articulate, fights her corner in a fair way, and has the right touch.” “Zoe is totally committed and puts in a huge amount of time and effort."
"She is a very creative and tenacious lawyer, who’s particularly good at cutting to the chase and getting good results."
"Total dedication to the cases she is involved in. Her attention to detail and grasp of the issues is hugely impressive.” She is “extremely clear, concise and accurate on paper and in oral advocacy. A very warm and engaging advocate.” “A very good lawyer but she also understands the social policy, which is very important."
"Routinely instructed in high-profile matters in the human rights field, she displays a particular flair for environmental, planning, immigration and social security law… “She always sees both sides of the argument, and has a really strong knowledge of the legislation.” “She shows total dedication to her cases and clients."
"Incredibly thorough and very intelligent."
"She is great at wading through complex issues and condensing into salient points."
"Recommended for matters with EU or human rights elements."
"Highly impressive in the High Court and completely on top of her subject."
"A very skilful advocate who can make the best of a difficult case."
MAIN AREAS OF PRACTICE:
- Civil Liberties and Human Rights
- Commercial Public Law
- Competition and EU
- ESG
- EU Law
- Environmental Law and Natural Resources
- Equality and Discrimination Law
- Health and Social Care (including welfare benefits)
- Immigration, Asylum and Free Movement
- Local Government Law
- Police, Inquests and Prison
- Public Law
+44 (0)20 7404 3447
“Zoë is a step ahead of everyone else. She is a superb advocate - her style, approach and wisdom really stand out.”
CHAMBERS & PARTNERS
MAIN AREAS OF PRACTICE
- Commercial Public Law
- Civil Liberties and Human Rights
- Environmental Law and Natural Resources
- EU Law
- Health and Social Care (including welfare benefits)
- Immigration, Asylum and Free Movement
- Local Government Law
- Public Law
- Police, Inquests and Prison
- Equality and Discrimination Law
- Competition and EU
- ESG
Zoë Leventhal KC
Contact Zoë: ZoeLeventhal@matrixlaw.co.uk | +44 (0)20 7404 3447
Contact Zoë's Practice Team (Team X): TeamX@matrixlaw.co.uk
Zoë practises in all areas of public law & human rights, and environmental law. She has over 20 years’ experience involving some of the most complex and high profile cases in these areas, ranging from the lawfulness of the Covid-19 restrictions (Dolan v SoS for Health), to the lawfulness of new offshore oil and gas licences (Oceana v SoS for Energy & Net Zero) and to the compatibility of the benefit cap with discrimination law (DA & DS, and SG v SSWP).
Zoë acts for a diverse range of clients including individuals, NGOs, corporate entities, and all types of public authorities and regulatory bodies. She is known both for being client-focussed and for her collaborative leadership.
She was appointed as Queen’s Counsel in 2022. Prior to taking Silk, she was a member of the Attorney General’s A panel of counsel and on the Equality & Human Rights Commission’s panel of counsel.
Zoë is ranked as a leading practitioner across all her areas of practice in the legal directories. In 2026 and in 2024, she was nominated by Legal 500 as Bar Environment & Sustainability Champion. In 2021, Zoë was nominated as Public Law & Human Rights Junior of the Year at the Chambers Bar Awards.
Zoë’s particular areas of expertise include welfare benefits and asylum support, the law of climate and nature, health and social care, equality & human rights law, and education. A full list of her cases is here.
Public Law & Human Rights
Zoë is consistently instructed in high profile and complex judicial reviews, claims under the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010. She acts for a diverse range of clients including individuals, charities & NGOs, corporate entities. central government departments, local authorities and other public bodies.
She has expertise across the public law spectrum, in areas such as welfare benefits, health and social care, immigration and asylum, education, local government and regulatory & commercial judicial review. Recent clients include Liberty, Women’s Aid, Ofgem, the Disclosure & Barring Service, Ofsted, the Office of Rail & Road and the Secretary of State for Health & Social Care.
Zoë is particularly well-known for her discrimination expertise and has brought and defended many of the leading Article 14 ECHR and Equality Act 2010 cases of recent years, particularly in the field of welfare benefits and health and social care.
Chambers & Partners (2022) (Admin & public law) describes Zoe as “… a really excellent barrister to lead a case: she is attuned to the strengths of her team and has a really good strategic vision.” Prior to taking silk, she was nominated as Public Law & Human Rights junior of the year at the Chambers & Partners Bar Awards 2021.
Zoë Leventhal KC spoke at the White Paper Conference on the 21st June 2023 on ‘Where are the limits of the Duty of Candour for defendants, claimants and interested parties, supported by caselaw and practical examples?’ Click here for a copy of her presentation.
Significant cases include:
- Secretary of State for Work & Pensions v Akhtar [2021] EWCA Civ 1353; [2022] 1 W.L.R. 421 (scope of bereavement payments for widows of polygamous marriages)
- Hughes v Pension Protection Fund [2021] EWCA Civ 1093; [2022] I.C.R. 215 (age discrimination in the Pension Protection Fund)
- NB v SSHD [2021] EWHC 1489 (Admin); [2021] 4 W.L.R. 92 (whether accommodating asylum seekers at Napier barracks was compatible with basic standards of human dignity during Covid)
- Dolan v SSHSC [2020] EWCA Civ 1605 (lawfulness of ‘lockdown’ measures)
- Hussain v SSHSC [2020] EWHC 1392 (Admin) (whether restrictions on mosques during Ramadan breached Art 9 ECHR);
- Francis v SSHSC [2020] EWHC 3287 (Admin) (public health powers to make self-isolation regulations)
- Rowley v Cabinet Office [2021] EWHC 2108 (Admin); [2022] 1 W.L.R. 1179 (reasonable adjustments for British Sign Language users at the Covid daily briefings)
- TP, AR & SXC v SSWP [2020] EWCA 37 (lack of transitional protection constituted discrimination against severely disabled people); and TP & AR (No 3) v SSWP [2022] EWHC 123 (Admin) (transitional payments remained discriminatory)
- DMA v SSHD [2020] EWHC 3416 (Admin); [2021] 1 W.L.R. 2374 (breach of the reasonable adjustments duty in the asylum support scheme)
- SH v Norfolk County Council [2020] EWHC 3436 (Admin); [2021] P.T.S.R. 969 (care charges imposed on severely disabled people discriminatory)
- Npower v Ofgem [2018] EWHC 3576 (Admin) (lawfulness of Ofgem’s price cap)
- DA & DS v SSWP [2019] UKSC 21; [2019] 1 W.L.R. 3289 (revised benefit cap / compatibility with Art 14 ECHR / UNCRC); JS v SSWP [2015] UKSC 16; [2015] 1 W.L.R. 1449 (original benefit cap litigation)
- Buxton v SSWP [2018] EWHC 2196 (Admin); [2019] P.T.S.R. 502 (lawfulness of DWP’s Access to Work grant scheme for British Sign Language users)
- Re Northern Irish Human Rights Commission [2018] UKSC 27; [2019] 1 All E.R. 173 (compatibility of criminalisation of abortion with the ECHR)
- Reilly & Hewstone v SSWP [2016] EWCA Civ 413; [2017] Q.B. 657 (compatibility of retrospective benefit legislation with Arts 6 and A1P1)
- National Aids Trust v NHSE [2016] EWCA Civ 1100; [2017] 1 W.L.R. 1477 (power of NHS England to commission PREP (preventative HIV medication))
- Rights of Women v Lord Chancellor [2016] EWCA Civ 91; [2016] 1 W.L.R. 2543 (evidence requirements for domestic violence victims to qualify for legal aid were unlawful)
- Mirga v SSWP [2016] UKSC 1; [2016] 1 W.L.R. 481 (welfare benefits under the Workers Registration Scheme under EU law)
- Occupy St Pauls (Samede) v Corporation of London [2012] EWCA Civ 160; [2012] 2 All E.R. 1039 (lawfulness of protests at St Paul’s cathedral)
- Wright v Secretary of States for Education & Health [2009] UKHL 3; [2009] 1 A.C. 739 (compatibility of safeguarding scheme for children and vulnerable adults with Arts 6 and 8 ECHR)
- RJM v SSWP [2008] UKHL 63; [2009] 1 A.C. 311 (non-contributory benefits fall within ambit of A1P1 and discrimination under Art 14 ECHR in respect of homeless persons and disability premium)
- Rapp v Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman [2015] EWHC 1344 (Admin); [2015] E.L.R. 439 (principles applicable to review of Ombudsman’s decisions)
- Cruelty Free International v SSHD [2017] EWHC 3295 (Admin) (licensing of botox and animal testing)
- JK (Burundi) v SSHD [2017] EWCA Civ 433; [2017] 1 W.L.R. 4567 (asylum support payments and best interests of the child)
- Brian Haw v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2006] EWCA Civ 532; [2006] Q.B. 780 (lawfulness of the restrictions on protest in Parliament Square)
Environmental Law, Natural Resources and ESG
Zoë has broad experience across the environmental law spectrum and is a recognised expert this field, having been nominated in 2024 and 2026 for the Legal 500’s Bar ESG award. She acts frequently in complex judicial review challenges and regularly advises government bodies, claimants and NGOs on a range of legal issues, with particular expertise in climate and nature law, with a background in planning work. Highlights include:
- Oceana v Secretary of State for Energy & Net Zero [2025] EWHC 3146 (Admin) – acting for the marine conversation organisation challenging the decision to approve new oil and gas licences in Marine Protected Areas of the North & Eastern Irish sea and its compatibility with the Habitats Directive
- Wales & West Utilities v Competition & Markets Authority [2026] EWHC 99 (Admin) – lawfulness of price control decision for gas & electricity operators
- Dean v Mitchell & Secretary of State for Levelling Up Housing & Communities [2023] H.L.R. 44 – compatibility of Mobile Homes Act 1983 with Art 8 ECHR
- Avery & RSPB v Natural England [2021] EWCA Civ 1637; [2022] Env. L.R. 15 – lawfulness of trial of brood management scheme for Hen Harriers under Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and Birds Directive
- Turner v SSCLG [2015] EWCA Civ 582 – apparent bias in the planning process regarding proposed redevelopment of Southbank Shell Centre
- Bowen-West v SSCLG [2012] Env LR 22 – meaning of indirect, secondary and cumulative effects under the EIA Directive
Social Security/Welfare Benefits
Zoë acts for individuals (often through FRU), for NGOs (such as CPAG, Z2K, PLP and Mind) and for the DWP, CSA, HMRC and DoH. She has developed considerable expertise across the full spectrum of benefits, in addition to child support as well related pensions issues. Zoë’s cases frequently involve HRA and/or EU law issues.
Health and Social Care
Zoe has a strong reputation in health, mental capacity and community care work, and has been involved in some of the leading cases in recent years. She acts for and against NHS bodies in contractual / pensions disputes, and in judicial reviews for and against NHS bodies and local authorities in respect of primary, secondary and social services issues (e.g. GP surgery closures, NHS continuing healthcare, consultation, health inequalities, section 17 support and asylum support). She appears regularly in the Court of Protection on medical treatment and personal welfare cases (including DoLs), and also acts for the Care Quality Commission.
Other Experience
Zoë speaks regularly at seminars on her areas of expertise and interest. She has been a member of the Bar Council’s Climate Crisis Working Group since its inception in 2021 and sits on the Bar Sustainability Network’s Advisory Panel.
She is a member of ALBA’s Executive Committee and a member of UKELA. Zoë is also a Trustee of the Environmental Law Foundation.
Zoë is a mentor for the charity Lawyers Who Care and takes an active role in widening access to the Bar by supporting students in schools and universities.
Zoë's Privacy Notice
Zoë is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. In order to provide legal services to her clients, including advice and representation services, Zoë needs to collect and hold personal data. This includes her client’s personal data and the personal data of others who feature in the matter upon which she is instructed. To read Zoë’s privacy notice in full, please see here.
DIRECTORY RECOMMENDATIONS
"A powerful court advocate who expertly argues her case. Her calm but piercing advocacy is extremely effective, and she is excellent at getting judges on side."
"She makes the right call every time." "She works very hard and gets the results." "Zoë is a fantastic advocate."
"She achieves great results for her clients in an effective and understated way." "She is very proactive and has a charming manner in court." "Zoë is totally on top of her cases."
"She has a determination to secure the best results for our client." "Zoe has an impressive grasp of the legal issues and a really clear ability to keep on top of all of the issues in the case." "She is brilliant at what she does." "Zoe is always extremely helpful and thorough in her work."
"Zoe has a creative claimant-minded approach to public law." "She is brilliant on her feet, really good in court and has great judgement." "Zoe is very clever and astute and a great thinker."
"A real star. She is incredibly thoughtful, yet practical, and is fantastic with clients. Her advocacy is persuasive and she is a brilliant negotiator."
"Zoe is a top choice for discrimination judicial reviews; she's a great advocate."
"She is good with clients and easy to deal with."
"Zoë is a real star. She is a brilliant negotiator and fantastic with clients."
"She is absolutely brilliant; she has amazing attention to detail, even for a silk, and she prepares cases so well." "She's been an excellent, supportive leader with an incredible ability to get to the heart of cases, regardless of their difficulty. She is an immensely persuasive advocate." "She has excellent judgement and is very collegiate. She makes everyone feel involved."
"Zoe is highly forensic and incredibly inventive - she is very well respected." "She is incredibly strong on the law."
"Zoe is a very good and persuasive advocate."
"She knows the law and has incredible integrity. She's really quite fantastic across a range of areas."
"She is passionate about her cases and puts forward her client's cases with zest and energy, applying strong intellectual qualities."
"A top environmental lawyer who thinks fast and always tactically, and who carefully and fairly puts across the legal position."
"Zoe is super-smart and a complete expert in discrimination law and equality rights. Very impressive with her advocacy in the court room."
"Zoe is really thoughtful and writes eloquent submissions." "Zoe is very thorough and has good judgement."
"She is very astute and very quick at grasping legal issues."
"Zoe is a talented and erudite advocate. She is ferocious when she needs to be and restrained when necessary." "She is a smart and thoughtful barrister." "She is very hard-working and really good to talk to and bounce ideas off."
"She is a really excellent barrister to lead a case: she is attuned to the strengths of her team and has a really good strategic vision." "She works hard and advocates effectively for her clients."
"Well on her way to silk. Really excellent and very approachable."
"Her written work is exceptional and she’s very switched on.” “She is clear and thoughtful in the way she presents her arguments."
"She cuts straight to the point very easily and is a precise and economical lawyer – she doesn’t waste time.” “Excellent communication skills and analytical abilities.” “She’s down to earth and highly approachable, and has excellent public law knowledge. She’s also an impressive advocate and is very robust when she needs to be, delivering great results for her clients."
"She’s brilliant.” “She has a very good legal mind."
"She’s a creative, knowledgeable and very reliable barrister, and is a real pleasure to work with.” “Absolutely outstanding. She’s incredibly intelligent, dedicated and hard-working. She’s very patient and approachable with clients, and highly effective at dismantling her opponents’ case."
"She’s extremely responsive, proactive and very good to work with. Her written work is of the highest quality."
"An extremely personable and approachable barrister who is very knowledgeable on the law. She is both intelligent and strategic.” “Very persistent in a measured way when on her feet” and “a great legal analyst."
"She is intelligent as well as calm, and very user-friendly."
"A superstar who does an impressive mix of significant work for claimants as well as for central government.” “She’s very pleasant and modest, which can lull the opposition into a false sense of security, but she’s always well prepared and very bright and makes really good arguments."
"Extremely hard-working and dedicated advocate who really does her absolute best for clients. She combines real intellectual strength with a very attractive presentation style in court.” “She works hard to master the detail on a case and gives good, practical advice."
"Her submissions are impressive; she is articulate, fights her corner in a fair way, and has the right touch.” “Zoe is totally committed and puts in a huge amount of time and effort."
"She is a very creative and tenacious lawyer, who’s particularly good at cutting to the chase and getting good results."
"Total dedication to the cases she is involved in. Her attention to detail and grasp of the issues is hugely impressive.” She is “extremely clear, concise and accurate on paper and in oral advocacy. A very warm and engaging advocate.” “A very good lawyer but she also understands the social policy, which is very important."
"Routinely instructed in high-profile matters in the human rights field, she displays a particular flair for environmental, planning, immigration and social security law… “She always sees both sides of the argument, and has a really strong knowledge of the legislation.” “She shows total dedication to her cases and clients."
"Incredibly thorough and very intelligent."
"She is great at wading through complex issues and condensing into salient points."
"Recommended for matters with EU or human rights elements."
"Highly impressive in the High Court and completely on top of her subject."
"A very skilful advocate who can make the best of a difficult case."