Solicitor at Watkins & Gunn Limited
Lucy O'Brien
Solicitor
SRA ID: 424274
Lucy is an Associate in the Public Law team at Watkins and Gunn Solicitors where she focuses on Judicial Review, Public Inquiries, Actions Against the Police and Inquests. Lucy represents Haemophilia Wales and Haemophilia Northern Ireland in the Infected Blood Inquiry along with around 350 victims. Lucy graduated from Oxford University in 2005, trained at Gateley Plc and qualified as a Solicitor in 2009. She then went on to Tyndallwoods in Birmingham where she developed a focus on public law and civil liberties work, advising on actions against the police, actions against the prison service and local authorities, inquests (deaths in custody and otherwise including jury inquests), appeals against Local Authority penalties and prosecutions and judicial reviews. Moving on Farooq Bajwa and Co in London in 2011, Lucy advised high profile clients in the News International Voicemail Interception Compensation Scheme (‘phone hacking litigation’). Lucy also acted for the family in the Neasden House Fire Inquest in 2012. Lucy joined Public Interest Lawyers in Birmingham in 2015 to work on a multi-party action against the Ministry of Defence on behalf of 1200 Iraqi civilians, each with allegations of abuse, human rights violations or war crimes. Lucy advised the clients through the Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT) investigative process. Lucy then joined NASUWT as a Senior Official advising the Union and its members on judicial review, complex employment disputes and trade union law. Notable Cases: R (Aso Mohammed) v Chief Constable of West Midlands Police 2010 EWHC 1228 (Admin) involving the removal of a police caution, the removal of client from the Sex Offenders Register and damages for breach of the Human Rights Act in Judicial Review Proceedings. R (on the Application of Nashika Harrison) v (1) Birmingham Magistrates Court (2) Chief Constable of West Midlands Police (Court Of Appeal A (Civ Div) 2011) involving notifications made by police officers of hearings. The Court of Appeal invited the Lord Chief Justice to consider an amendment to the Magistrates’ Courts (Detention and Forfeiture of Cash) Rules 2002. R (on the application of Williams) v Caerphilly County Borough Council [2019] EWHC 1618 (Admin), [2019] All ER (D) 29 (Jul) involving a successful challenge to the Council's plan to close a local leisure centre due to the Council's failure to give 'proper and conscious consideration' to its duties under the Equality Act 2010.
Ground Floor, Building 5, Castlebridge, CF11 9AB
Licensed for 14 years
Practice Areas
Employment, Actions against the police, Charities, Education, Dispute Resolution, Human rights
- Actions against the police 10%
- Human rights 50%
- Consumer 10%
- Education 30%
14 Client Reviews
Overall experience
- Value For Money
- Communication
- Initial Impressions
- Approachability
- Documentation Accuracy
- Legal knowledge
About Lucy O'Brien
Lucy is an Associate in the Public Law team at Watkins and Gunn Solicitors where she focuses on Judicial Review, Public Inquiries, Actions Against the Police and Inquests. Lucy represents Haemophilia Wales and Haemophilia Northern Ireland in the Infected Blood Inquiry along with around 350 victims. Lucy graduated from Oxford University in 2005, trained at Gateley Plc and qualified as a Solicitor in 2009. She then went on to Tyndallwoods in Birmingham where she developed a focus on public law and civil liberties work, advising on actions against the police, actions against the prison service and local authorities, inquests (deaths in custody and otherwise including jury inquests), appeals against Local Authority penalties and prosecutions and judicial reviews. Moving on Farooq Bajwa and Co in London in 2011, Lucy advised high profile clients in the News International Voicemail Interception Compensation Scheme (‘phone hacking litigation’). Lucy also acted for the family in the Neasden House Fire Inquest in 2012. Lucy joined Public Interest Lawyers in Birmingham in 2015 to work on a multi-party action against the Ministry of Defence on behalf of 1200 Iraqi civilians, each with allegations of abuse, human rights violations or war crimes. Lucy advised the clients through the Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT) investigative process. Lucy then joined NASUWT as a Senior Official advising the Union and its members on judicial review, complex employment disputes and trade union law. Notable Cases: R (Aso Mohammed) v Chief Constable of West Midlands Police 2010 EWHC 1228 (Admin) involving the removal of a police caution, the removal of client from the Sex Offenders Register and damages for breach of the Human Rights Act in Judicial Review Proceedings. R (on the Application of Nashika Harrison) v (1) Birmingham Magistrates Court (2) Chief Constable of West Midlands Police (Court Of Appeal A (Civ Div) 2011) involving notifications made by police officers of hearings. The Court of Appeal invited the Lord Chief Justice to consider an amendment to the Magistrates’ Courts (Detention and Forfeiture of Cash) Rules 2002. R (on the application of Williams) v Caerphilly County Borough Council [2019] EWHC 1618 (Admin), [2019] All ER (D) 29 (Jul) involving a successful challenge to the Council's plan to close a local leisure centre due to the Council's failure to give 'proper and conscious consideration' to its duties under the Equality Act 2010.
Languages Spoken: English
Contact Lucy O'Brien
Address
Watkins & Gunn Limited
Ground Floor
Building 5
Castlebridge
CF11 9AB
Phone 1495762244
WebsiteResume
LICENSE
Country
Status
Acquired
Updated
United Kingdom
Currently Registered
15/09/09
06/08/23
We found no instances of professional misconduct for this solicitor
WORK EXPERIENCE
Title
Name
Duration
Associate
Watkins & Gunn
?-present
Above and beyond, can't praise highly enough.
Long story short: I had a case against a public body where I believe I had been discriminated against due to a protected characteristic.
As I had limited funding options available I contacted Lucy just for an initial consultation to gain some general advice and a review of whether she thought my case had any merit.
Lucy not only reviewed my case but also drafted and sent correspondence to both the public body involved and to the EHRC (to try and secure funding) and then entered a lengthy email back-and-forth with the public body to try and resolve my complaint without court action. Unfortunately I was 'priced out' of achieving justice as the public body has 'unlimited' funding and they know taking them on it court is not within the means of 'normal citizens'.
At all times, Lucy has conducted herself in a highly professional, yet approachable, manner and she has put vastly more time and effort into helping me than 'initial consultation' fee should justify while refusing to bill any more time as she knew I had limited funds.
I would highly recommend Lucy to anyone requiring legal advice in any of the areas she is experienced in. While I was 'dissatisfied' with the outcome of my case, this was entirely due to the underhand methods employed by the public body and is in no way a reflection on the service Lucy provided.
Solicitor named in this review: Lucy O'Brien
Was this review helpful? Yes
Amazing Solicitor 😍
Lucy has been amazing during our problems with LEA.
Not only is Lucy a great solicitor but she was fantastic when interacting with my 11 year old daughter, and she is very personable and approachable.
She’s ‘on the ball’ and never needed chasing.
Lucy’s advice was easy to understand and I was able to trust her to represent us without having to proof read communications. There was never any problems getting hold of Lucy and she was emotionally supportive and reassuring thought the process.
I genuinely would never look elsewhere for legal help again.
Solicitor named in this review: Lucy O'Brien
Was this review helpful? Yes
Excellent Solicitor
I worked with Lucy during our Save the Nurseries campaign.
Her role was key to keep the nurseries open.
She was extremely effective going above and beyond what I expected from her.
Highly recommended.
Solicitor named in this review: Lucy O'Brien
A representative from Watkins & Gunn Limited responded to this review on 20 March, 2023
Thank you for your review. We appreciate the positive feedback you have given us and look forward to working with you in the future.
Was this review helpful? Yes
Outstanding support
Lucy provided outstanding support to the parents impacted by the announced closure of the Hillingdon Borough nurseries.
She mobilised a full legal team and ensured a positive result for the community.
Would highly recommend.
Solicitor named in this review: Lucy O'Brien
A representative from Watkins & Gunn Limited responded to this review on 20 March, 2023
Thank you for your review. Lucy is tireless in fighting for peoples rights and we are delighted to have helped.
Was this review helpful? Yes
Save the Nurseries Campaign
Working with Lucy was an absolute pleasure. She was expertly objective in her assessment of the merits of the case, great at explaining the process and once begun she developed a clinical and methodical dismantling of the Council's claims, leading to them withdrawing their closure decision!
Solicitor named in this review: Lucy O'Brien
A representative from Watkins & Gunn Limited responded to this review on 20 March, 2023
Many thanks for the glowing review!
Was this review helpful? Yes
Tribrunal
With the help and experienced knowledge from lucy i was able to inderstand and have confidence going to the tribrunal to determine weather my autistic son would get into a special provision school, although a mainstream school was named on his EHCP first. Because of all evidence and hard work from lucy and her team, my son was offered a place in a private specail provision school two days before the tribrunal. My son is now thriving in the right environment and i have lucy O'brien to thank for her hard work and determination to help us as a family and i am forever grateful.
Solicitor named in this review: Lucy O'Brien
Was this review helpful? Yes
Legal Aid assistance with EHCP dispute
Our LA were trying to significantly reduce the educational provision in our sons EHCP. Educational hours were being reduced from 30 to 4.5 hours per week without any supporting evidence, this being one amongst many other things that the LA were attempting to achieve. We knew the LA were wrong but we needed Lucys expert guidance to focus on the critical matters and to rebut the legal arguments that the LA were trying to advance. Lucy was comfortably able to provide this guidance and was always available to discuss matters as they arose. The case was heard using the briefing notes prepared with Lucys help. After the case had been heard we were looking back over the arguments presented by the LA and there seemed to be a crucial matter presented by the LA in court that appeared to be wrong / not properly presented. This was exceptional and on the face of it very unprofessional behaviour of the LA. Lucy took up the challenge again to present a more balance view to the Judge of the matter in dispute before the Judge made her decision. It is this genuine interest in her clients that sets Lucy apart from other Solicitors i have worked with in my professional life.
We won the case and our Sons EHCP was reinstated with all the provision that he had before and more.
We are very grateful for the work Lucy put into this case. Our sons is now able to continue to progress in his education and to be the very best that he can be.
Solicitor named in this review: Lucy O'Brien
Was this review helpful? Yes
Infected Blood Inquiry and Legal Aid challenge
Lucy and the Watkins and Gunn team have helped me as a Welsh victim of contaminated blood. Since 2017 they have represented my family and I at the Inquiry and helped me take legal action to gain legal aid funding for victims of contaminated blood. I also feel they have influenced better payments for Welsh victims of contaminated blood and are still very present with on going matters. Lucy is always a great communicator with things I'm unsure of, she helps me understand and is always approachable.
Solicitor named in this review: Lucy O'Brien
Was this review helpful? Yes
NHS EIBSS
NHS EIBSS
I met Lucy O’Brien when she took a witness statement from me for the Infected Blood Public Inquiry. My husband was one of the victims; he sadly died in 2020. Up to then I had received no financial help or support. Lucy advised me on the procedure to make an appeal to the NHS EIBSS. She processed countless documents that I sent to her, then lodged the appeal which was successful. The payments from the support scheme have changed my life, and I am so grateful to Lucy for her professional work on this matter, and also on her valuable work for the Public Inquiry.
Solicitor named in this review: Lucy O'Brien
Was this review helpful? Yes
Funding appeal
I was pointed in the direction of Lucy by a friend when our application for funding for specialist treatment for my son, who suffers with OCD was declined by Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group. I gave Lucy information regards the health care of my son. She listened, was very sensitive, and then constructed a letter that addressed the specifics of the case in a very prompt and effective manner. The outcome was the decision was reversed and funding was granted. I have little doubt that without Lucy's intervention we would not have got the funding. Lucy is pleasant to deal with, supportive, helpful and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend Lucy. Thank you for all your help Lucy
Solicitor named in this review: Lucy O'Brien
A representative from Watkins & Gunn Limited responded to this review on 16 February, 2021
Thank you for your review. We appreciate the positive feedback you have given us and look forward to working with you in the future.
Was this review helpful? Yes