We advise and represent candidates, political parties, local authorities, returning officers, third sector organisations and other campaigning organisations, some on an ongoing basis.
Our cases cover England and Wales and other common law jurisdictions.
We are well-known for our successful involvement in a range of local government, mayoral and parliamentary election cases. These include:
- Darren Grimes v The Electoral Commission; Vote Leave v The Electoral Commission 2019 –the judgment created new case law on whether over-declaration of expenditure is an offence; and the definition of joint expenditure under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.
- R v Mackinlay and others (Respondents) [2018] UKSC 42 - this Supreme Court appeal related to criminal proceedings against the respondents concerning election expenses in breach of the Representation of the People Act 1983.
- Erlam & Ors v Rahman & Anor [2014] EWHC 2766 (QB) – the longest election petition trial for a century - in which Francis Hoar secured a High Court judgment that voided the election of Lutfur Rahman as Mayor of Tower Hamlets and found him and his election agent guilty of corrupt and illegal practices.
