Equalities watchdog more than doubles the size of its £3m panel of counsel

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has offered to appoint 175 barristers to its list of preferred providers of external legal services, including representation and advice.

The watchdog said the legal services, worth more than £3m, would support its equality and human rights work, “including strategic litigation (bringing one case to court, which will have an effect on a large number of people) in domestic and European courts.”

The England and Wales panel, which includes 33 QCs, is more than double the size of the watchdog's previous panel of 80. It will be in place from 2019 until 2023.

The EHRC has also appointed a panel for Scotland with 34 advocates.

The panels can be viewed here.