Anneka Jenns is a public law barrister with a well-established practice in constitutional and administrative law. Prior to joining chambers, she worked as a Government lawyer, advising on the legality of departmental policy and decision-making, and overseeing legal challenges brought against government. This experience provides her with detailed insight into the operation of public bodies and the conduct of public sector litigation.
She has particular expertise in judicial review, equality law, civil liberties, and human rights. Anneka acts for both claimants and defendants across a broad range of public law matters, including social security, inquests and inquiries, Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), housing, and prison law. She has had cases before the Upper Tribunal and the Court of Appeal.
Before coming to the Bar, Anneka advised individuals through the campaign group Liberty, and worked with local grassroots community organisations. She has worked on major public inquiries, including the Nottingham Inquiry legal team and the Manston Inquiry. In her inquest practice, she has particular experience representing bereaved families in death in custody cases.
Anneka originally trained in criminal law and developed strong advocacy skills through regular Crown Court appearances. She previously maintained a specialist defence practice in environmental protest cases and continues to advise in matters involving animal welfare and environmental law, including challenges brought by campaign and interest groups.
Her broad courtroom experience has equipped her with strong advocacy skills, a commanding presence in court, and a confident approach to witnesses and tribunals in complex, high-pressure proceedings
Anneka has significant experience in public inquiries. Prior to qualification, she gained experience in Inquiry work with the Grenfell Inquiry bereaved team and more recently has been part of the Inquiry Legal Team for the Nottingham Inquiry. She has also advised and assisted core participants, including HM Treasury in their response to the Manston Inquiry.
Anneka is experienced in representing the families of the deceased in death in custody cases. Drawing on her background in criminal law, extradition and human rights, she has a detailed understanding of sentencing practices, prison conditions and prisoners’ rights. She is particularly interested in cases engaging Article 2 ECHR and broader issues of state accountability.
Having worked in government for three years, Anneka is an experienced public law barrister specialising in challenges to public decisions, policy changes and procedural errors through appeals and Judicial Review.
She has particular expertise in welfare and social security law, including cases concerning transitional protection and erosion, benefit entitlement and human rights breaches. Anneka was part of the legal team in the case of FL v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Universal Credit) [2024] UKUT 6 (AAC) and has been involved in a number of appeals and legal test cases before the Upper Tribunal such as:
• R (TD & Ors) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2020] EWCA Civ 618;
• PR v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2023] UKUT 290 (AAC); and
• Secretary of State for Work and Pensions v MJ [2025] UKUT 035 (AAC)
Anneka has previously held an advisory role with the campaign group Liberty. She has advised on a number of matters relating to breaches of human rights, equality law and public sector equality duty. She has experience in protest law, having worked on unlawful detention claims involving Critical Mass and other protest groups. She has represented Just Stop Oil protesters and is experienced in the intersection of criminal law, public law and civil liberties.
Anneka is part of the No5 Education team and accepts instructions in cases involving claimants and defendants. She has substantial experience working in the youth courts and representing and examining vulnerable clients. Having worked closely with the Department of Work and Pensions and the Department of Education, Anneka has a good understanding of disability and education polices.
Drawing on her experience in protest law, Anneka has valuable insight into the legal and practical issues surrounding protests on university campuses and the various legal implications in contract, criminal and human rights law.
Anneka accepts instructions in a number of prisoner rights claims, including parole board hearings. Given her extensive criminal law experience she has a strong understanding of sentencing principles and guidelines. She has also previously acted in a number of probation breaches cases.
Anneka has experience advising both housing tenants and the local authority in housing matters relating to homelessness, housing conditions, evictions and emergency funding appeals. She has worked with grassroots local community groups advising vulnerable claimants on their rights and represented them in funding applications.
Anneka has an interest in public procurement processes and contracts. During her time in government Anneka has worked closely with the commercial departments in government and partaken in shadowing exchange programmes. She is well versed with the new laws under the Procurement Act 2023 and how they relate to procurements processes, contracts and breaches.
A one-time veterinary nurse trainee, Anneka is knowledgeable about regulatory matters in the veterinary profession and animal welfare requirements. With her experience in criminal and protest laws she accepts instructions from campaign groups and individuals. She has a wide interest in matters relating to animal welfare including hunting laws, breed specific legislation, animal testing, farming conditions and food labelling, non-human rights and applications of Habeas Corpus in global welfare cases.
Anneka has experience both in an employed capacity and at the independent Bar. Before coming to the Bar, Anneka advised individuals through the campaign group…
Anneka has experience both in an employed capacity and at the independent Bar. Before coming to the Bar, Anneka advised individuals through the campaign group…
