“Clinicians have rights as well” says the Supreme Court

Six members of 39 Essex Chambers have appeared in a landmark appeal before the Supreme Court, in which the court has grappled with how a bereaved parent’s freedom of speech should be balanced against a clinician’s right to privacy. 

Judgment has been handed down today- Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Anr v Abbasi and Anr [2025] UKSC 15 

For further details, please see Fiona Paterson KC's summary of the judgment (here), the court’s press summary (here) and the full judgment (here). 

Fiona Paterson KC (led by Gavin Millar KC of Matrix) represented the appellant, Trusts, instructed by Kathryn Riddell of Sintons and Kiran Bhogal of Hill Dickinson.

Jenni Richards KC represented the British Medical Association, instructed by TLT LLP.

Fenella Morris KC represented the Royal College of Nursing, instructed by Bates Wells.

Alex Ruck Keene KC (Hons) represented the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine, instructed by Bevan Brittan.

Nicola Greaney KC and Ian Brownhill represented the Royal College of Paediatrics and Paediatric Critical Care Society, instructed by DAC Beachcroft LLP.

Vikram Sachdeva KC, Jack Anderson and Rachel Sullivan represented PA Media, instructed by the Legal Department PA Media, before the President of the Family Division.