Biography
I am a partner in the public law and human rights department, working with a team of specialist public lawyers. I specialise in children’s rights, community care, public law and court of protection (health and welfare).
I have nearly twenty years’ experience representing organisations and individuals in judicial review proceedings, challenging decisions of both local and central government, including policy decisions and cuts to services.
I have a particular interest in children’s rights, which mainly consists of representing children in bringing judicial review proceedings under the Children Act 1989, but I have also represented children (and adults) on a number of human rights issues.
I also represent vulnerable adults in the court of protection in s16 and s21A proceedings, and bring public law challenges against public bodies to ensure that they are receiving the services that they need. This includes damages claims.
Significant Cases
- R(G) v Southwark [2009] UKHL 26 on social services’ duties to accommodate homeless 16 and 17 year olds
- R(Birara) v Hounslow [2010] EWHC 2113 (admin) on pathway planning and local authorities’ responsibilities to care leavers
- PH and HH v Italy [2012] UKSC 25 on the Article 8 ECHR rights of children in their parents’ extradition appeal
- AB v Hungary [2013] EWHC 3132 (admin) on the rights of a disabled child in her mother’s extradition appeal
- WB & W v SSJ [2014] on the impact of a baby separated from it’s mother in prison
- C v Walsall MBC [2017], challenging a child’s inclusion on the child protection register
- Article 39 v DFE on the challenge of a Department for Education ’Myth Busting’ guide on looked after children and care leavers
- Poole LBC v GN [2019] UKSC 25, acting pro bono for two intervening charities on the impact of the issues before the court on looked after children and care leavers.
What inspired you to get into law?
I wanted to work in an area where I could help vulnerable people. I was interested in how the law could be used to achieve this. I was very lucky to be trained by a number of brilliant and passionate lawyers from the start of my career, who showed me what a difference the law could make.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your role?
Every now and again I will be contacted by a former client telling me how they are and what they are doing now. It is such an incredible feeling to see the difference that legal interventions can make, and how individuals’ lives have been turned around.
What do you like about working at Irwin Mitchell?
Irwin Mitchell has a fantastic reputation for supporting vulnerable people. It is great to be able to work with such a passionate group of people who work together to ensure that our clients’ needs are being met across all areas.
What do you do away from the office?
I spend lots of time with my family and am kept busy by my two young children, but I also enjoy playing and watching sport, in particular football, tennis and golf.
Testimonials
"Oliver Studdert is a calm and pleasant solicitor to work with."
"Oliver Studdert is a very diligent lawyer, committed to obtaining the best outcome for his vulnerable clients." - Legal 500, 2025
"A fantastic public law partner. He is legally and strategically brilliant. He gives time to his cases and is available to thrash out ideas to ensure that all options have been considered and the best course for the client determined. He is also compassionate and has a wonderful manner with clients. My go to public law partner." - Legal 500, 2023
"He combines being a really good public lawyer with being a very good manager. He has it all under control, which is reassuring. He is phenomenally experienced in community care matters [and] has gone from strength to strength when it comes to the rights of young people. Oliver is phenomenal. He is extremely bright, committed, approachable and will fight his client's corner very hard." - Chambers & Partners, 2022 (Leading Individual - band 2)
“Oliver Studdert is a highly experienced public lawyer who… has outstanding judgment and always ensures that the evidence prepared to support a claim. His legal understanding of my case was excellent but his compassion, patience and the time he gave me surpasses any expectations I had” - Legal 500, 2022
"He's a very clear communicator, even in particularly difficult and complex cases. He is aware of all the issues and represents the client's best interests." - Chambers & Partners, 2021 (Leading Individual - Band 2)
"Oliver has loads of experience and is very well respected. His experience and expertise is second to none". - Legal 500, 2021
