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Background

Ffyon Reilly

Call: 1999

Ffyon Reilly is part of the Public Law Group at No 5 Barristers Chambers.

She is currently a junior representing HMRC in the Covid-19 Inquiry. HMRC are a core participant in the Economic Response (Module 9) of the Inquiry.

Ffyon is developing a broad public law practice including prison law, the court of protection and inquests.

In 2024, Ffyon was part of the successful counsel team defending a misfeasance in public office and malicious prosecution action, in respect of a claim for damages in excess of £400m. The case is believed to have been one of the largest claims brought against HMRC.

Whilst she now practises in public law, she has a multi-disciplinary background and significant experience as a criminal practitioner. She has represented young and vulnerable individuals who live with mental health issues or learning disabilities. She is trained in Advocacy and the Vulnerable. Ffyon is committed to access to justice and will consider Pro Bono instructions when appropriate.

Ffyon took an extended period away from practice as a Senior Lecturer in Law. She is therefore comfortable on her feet and in writing. Ffyon is ATC accredited, has taught advocacy on the BVS and was an external advocacy assessor to the Crown Prosecution Service. She is published in New Law Journal, Counsel Magazine, FT Publications and contributes biennially to a major law textbook.

Ffyon has a keen interest in access to the bar and volunteers for Bridging the Bar.

Expertise

Inquests, Public Inquiries & Coronial Law

Inquests, Public Inquiries & Coronial Law (Public Law)

Ffyon Reilly is part of the Public Law Group at No 5 Barristers Chambers. Ffyon is currently a junior representing HMRC in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry and is leading the team of junior junior counsel. HMRC are a core participant in the Economic Response (Module 9) of the Inquiry.

Ffyon has an ability to digest voluminous technical evidence, with meticulous preparation, and is known for her ability to work both unled, and in teams of all ages and backgrounds.

She has acted as security-cleared counsel and has experience as junior disclosure counsel, advising on legal professional privilege (LPP) and public interest immunity (PII), leading the team of junior junior lawyers.

She has a keen interest in inquests and coronial law and is developing her practice in this area. Her background as a criminal practitioner makes her well placed for inquests with a jury. She is committed to access to justice and is willing to consider pro bono instructions where appropriate.

Inquests, Public Inquiries & Coronial Law (Regulatory Law)

Ffyon is currently a junior representing HMRC in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry and is leading the team of junior junior counsel. HMRC are a core participant in the Economic Response (Module 9) of the Inquiry.

Ffyon has a multi-disciplinary background with a foundation in criminal practice. She has expertise in Health and Safety law and an understanding of Health and Safety Executive (HSE) policy and guidance. She has undertaken significant Health and Safety Training including NEBOSH and HSE certifications.

Her background as a criminal practitioner, makes her well placed for inquests with a jury. She is committed to access to justice and is willing to consider pro bono instructions where appropriate.

Public Law

Ffyon Reilly is part of the Public Law Group at No 5 Barristers Chambers.

Prison Law

Ffyon is developing her practice in prison law, with particular interest in judicial review. She has enjoyed witnessing the success of an individual’s rehabilitation leading to release. Ffyon started her practice at the Bar as a criminal advocate. She therefore has a strong foundation in criminal law, with an understanding of sentencing principles and guidelines, and statutory provisions including the requirements for parole eligibility. She has experience engaging with the professionals whose assessments are integral to parole decisions. This makes her well-suited for conducting parole hearings.

Ffyon’s background includes working with vulnerable clients, including those living with mental health issues and complex personal histories, which will allow her to approach parole cases with empathy and understanding.

Ffyon is recently published in The English Legal System (2024) including chapters on police, sentencing and criminal appeals.

Education

Ffyon is developing a broad public law practice and is accepting instructions on SEN tribunal matters.

Ffyon was a school governor for five years and is a Senior Lecturer at a London University. Ffyon has a good understanding of operational and policy matters concerning schools and universities.

Ffyon has significant experience in working with children and young people. She has represented vulnerable clients and examined vulnerable witnesses and is trained in Advocacy and the Vulnerable.

Court of Protection

Ffyon is developing a broad public law practice and is accepting instructions on Court of Protection work.

Data & Information Rights

Ffyon has a keen interest in data and information rights. She studied the law of information at the University of Cambridge, as part of her LLM, where she explored the law of confidentiality, the misuse of private information, and data protection, including its interface with privacy law and electronic communications.

She has advised on the operation of the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 in the context of large disclosure exercises.

Ffyon can advise on the scope and application of Environmental Impact Regulations. In lockdown, she ran a project with the Environmental Law Foundation (ELF) legal team, where Environmental Information Requests (EIR’s) were made to map local authorities’ climate change emergency declarations.

Regulatory

Ffyon is currently a junior representing HMRC in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry and is leading the team of junior junior counsel.

Inquests, Public Inquiries & Coronial Law (Regulatory Law)

Ffyon has an ability to digest voluminous and technical evidence, with meticulous preparation, and is known for her ability to work both unled, and in teams of all ages and backgrounds.

She has been instructed as security-cleared counsel and has run a team of jjs on large-scale e-disclosure matters.

Employment

Ffyon has an interest in employment law matters that serve a public interest function. She has successfully represented vulnerable claimants, including under the Public Interest Disclosure Act (PIDA), including whistleblowing and the disclosures involving alleged criminal offences.

Notable Employment Cases


Jasim v LHR Airports Ltd [2024] ICR D31

In Jasim v LHR Airports Ltd, Ffyon represented the successful appellant at the Employment Appeal Tribunal (unled). The appeal concerned claims of trade union detriment and whistleblowing. This was the first case to substantively apply the 2023 amendments to the Employment Appeal Tribunal Rules and Practice Directions. The court’s decision provided important clarification on how procedural errors should be managed under the amended rules, particularly regarding the extension of time for appeals. This case offers new judicial guidance on balancing procedural compliance with fairness in employment law appeals and the application of the Civil Procedure Rules to Employment Tribunal rules and directions.


    
  • Advocate
  • ALBA: Constitutional and Administrative Law Bar Association
  • Court of Protection Bar Association
  • Criminal Bar Association
  • Employment Law Association
  • Inner Temple
  • London Irish Lawyers Association
  • Senior Lecturer in Law, City University of London
  • LL.M University of Cambridge
  • Civil Mediation Accreditation – London School of Mediation
  • Southeastern Circuit’s Keble Advanced Advocacy Course, Oxford
  • Bar Vocational Course, Inns of Court School of Law
  • B.A. (Hons), University College London
  • Contributed chapters on The Police, The Criminal Trial Process, Sentencing, Youth Justice, and Criminal Appeals in Catherine Elliott and Frances Quinn, English Legal System (20th edn, Pearson 2019; 21st edn, Pearson 2020; 22nd edn, Pearson 2024)
  • Extending time: from misery to forgiveness? (2024) 174 New Law Journal 8078, 11
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