Experienced human rights lawyer Leanne Devine will lead the Broudie Jackson Canter team to secure justice for people whose loved ones have died in custody or in state detention. Tony McDonough reports

High-profile human rights lawyer Leanne Devine is to lead a new specialist law team being set up to secure justice for people whose loved ones have died in custody or in state detention.

Liverpool-based Broudie Jackson Canter, part of the Jackson Lees Group, specialises in civil liberties and social welfare and represented families affected by the Hillsborough disaster.

Ms Devine has been a lawyer for more than 20 years and specialises in inquests related to Article 2 (the Right to Life) of the European Convention on Human Rights and has worked on a number of high-profile cases including representing bereaved families during the Hillsborough Disaster inquest from 2013 to 2016.

Another lawyer also well known for his work with the Hillsborough families, Elkan Abrahamson, is also on the team. He has also acted for families involved in the Birmingham pub bombings and Manchester Arena bombings inquests.

Ms Devine said the new unit would be “consolidating the firm’s deep experience and expertise in inquest law with the launch of this new practice, which will provide people who have lost a loved one with access to specialist legal support”.

She added: “Broudie Jackson Canter is renowned for our work in human rights and the firm is continuing to grow and thrive, bolstered by our outstanding reputation and the results we are able to deliver for our clients.“

The new team draws on decades of experience working with people who have lost loved ones in police custody, state detention, and while sectioned  – either voluntarily or under the care of Mental Health Services. 

It also includes experienced solicitor Nicola Brook, who has a background in criminal defence specialising in serious and complex crimes. She has worked on cases including Hillsborough and is currently working on the investigations into the Birmingham pub bombings and the MEN Arena attack.

The Jackson Lees Group is made up of Broudie Jackson Canter and Jackson Lees. The Group has more than 260 employees across six offices in Merseyside and Manchester.