Leading claimant human rights law firms join forces

Two leading civil liberties and human rights law firms, Deighton Guedalla and Pierce Glynn, have merged from today (1 May).

A statement said the new firm – to be called Deighton Pierce Glynn – would “retain the ethos of both firms and use the law to enforce the rights of the disadvantaged of society, hold the state to account for its actions, challenge discrimination and fight human rights and environmental abuses”.

Both firms have a track record of bringing cases against local authorities. Pierce Glynn, for example, is advising the claimant in the forthcoming Supreme Court case of SL v Westminster City Council. The key issue is the circumstances in which social services departments owe a duty to provide accommodation and support to vulnerable adults in need of care and attention.

Pierce Glynn has handled a range of cases against local authorities over cuts. it issued judicial review proceedings in February this year over Kent County Council’s decision to terminate its grant to a social enterprise staffed by former employees. The local authority later withdrew its decision.

The same month Pierce Glynn launched JR proceedings over the London Borough of Newham’s decision to axe funding for independent advice services

Polly Glynn, a founding partner of Pierce Glynn who has become a director of the new firm, said: “Although practicing in different areas, our high quality lawyers have a strong shared set of values which is at the heart of all the work we do.”

Jane Deighton, a founding partner of Deighton Guedalla who acts for Stephen Lawrence’s friend Duwayne Brooks, added: “We are merging because we admire each other's work. The new firm will provide an inspired and broader service to our clients."

The combined firm has offices in the City, Central London and Bristol.