Olivia Beach

Public Law and Human Rights

Olivia is regularly instructed in judicial review matters across a broad range of public law and human rights areas, including migrants rights, community care and social welfare, modern slavery and trafficking, homelessness, prison and parole board matters, and criminal law related public law. She is also regularly instructed in Section 204 homelessness appeals in the County Court. Olivia also undertakes civil claims against public authorities, often arising out of judicial review matters.

Olivia has appeared both led and unled in the High Court and has worked across all stages of judicial review proceedings. Olivia has experience in advising on procedural issues, in particular on the issue of costs and drafting written submissions on costs.

Some recent examples of notable cases Olivia has been instructed in are:

R (ABAJ) v West Sussex County Council [2025] EWHC 1564 (Admin) – A successful judicial review challenging an age assessment and provisions under the Children Act 1989.

R (Newton) v Parole Board of England and Wales [2025] EWHC 631 (Admin) – A successful judicial review challenging the Parole Board’s refusal of an oral hearing, and finding a breach of Article 5(4) ECHR.

R (RU) v London Borough of Redbridge and North East London NHA Foundation Trust (AC-2024-LON-2575) – A judicial review concerning the Defendant’s failures under Section 117 Mental Health Act 1983. The Local Authority conceded various breaches of Section 117 Mental Health Act 1983, the Care and Support Statutory Guidance, Mental Health Act 1983 Code of Practice, and Article 3 and Article 8 ECHR,  the day before the substantive hearing.

R (McKilligan) v Parole Board of England and Wales [2024] EWHC 336 (Admin) – A successful judicial review challenging the Parole Board’s refusal of an oral hearing.

R (McPhee) v Secretary of State for Justice [2024] EWHC 1247 (Admin) – A successful challenge to the Secretary of State’s decision not to move the Claimant to open conditions.

R (NS) Secretary of State for the Home Department [2023] EWHC 2675 (Admin) – Led by Chris Buttler KC, this case was a successful judicial review concerning the provision of accommodation to an asylum seeker under Section 98 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. The judgment records important findings about evidence, or lack of, provided by the SSHD in these sorts of cases.

Crime

Olivia represents clients in the Youth, Magistrates and Crown Courts. She has a particular interest in youth justice, criminal justice system related public law issues, international crime, and working with vulnerable Defendant’s to try and secure outcomes that facilitate recovery and rehabilitation.

Public Inquiries

Olivia has been instructed in the Andrew Malkinson Inquiry, chaired by Her Honour Judge Sarah Munro KC.

Pro Bono Work

Olivia is a Duty Scheme Advocate for Asylum Support Appeals Project (ASAP), regularly acting pro bono for asylum seekers at the First Tier Tribunal (Asylum Support). She undertakes additional pro bono work for other organisations including Bail for Immigration Detainees and West London Welcome. She is also on the Executive Committee at the Human Rights Lawyers Association.

Prior to the Bar

Prior to coming to the Bar, Olivia worked as a community care and public law paralegal, working on over 40 judicial reviews for claimants largely concerned with the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 and the Care Act 2014. Olivia also works on her own voluntary organisation, PLOD Foundation, which provides assistance to the homeless, refugees, asylum seekers and bereaved children. She has previously volunteered with organisations including The Intervene Project and AMICUS ALJ.