Tony Child

Tony Child is a Consultant in DAC Beachcroft's renowned Public Law Group and is recognised in the Chambers and Legal 500 Directories of law firms as a leading practitioner in the fields of public, administrative and local government law.

Tony has been in legal practice for 40 years (38 years since qualification).  Prior to joining Beachcroft in May 2007, Tony was a partner in Mayer Brown from 1995 to 2007, was employed as the Solicitor to the Audit Commission for Local Authorities and the National Health Service in England and Wales from 1987-1995 and, prior to that, spent 19 enjoyable years in Local Government. He has extensive experience of advising public authorities and those who deal with them.  He has extensive experience of judicial review, statutory appeals and other public law litigation with a track record second to none in defending and defeating challenges to, public authorities including a 100% success record in the many cases conducted on behalf of local government auditors in Wales and England.  Tony has had the successful conduct of many leading cases in public and administrative law over the past 25 years.  His specialist knowledge extends to all aspects of public, constitutional and administrative law (including the impact of EU administrative and regulatory law).  He provides advice across the whole public law field including human rights, data protection and freedom of information and on the conduct of major inquiries and investigations.

Tony's impressive list of clients includes local authorities, NHS bodies, auditors, the Northern Ireland Audit Office, Ken Livingstone, the former Mayor of London, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, Local Government Ombudsmen the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales), commercial enterprises and individuals. 

Tony is a keen footballer and cricketer.  In his spare time, he dispenses legal advice.

Tony Child is said to be "encyclopaedic in his knowledge of public law, a pleasure to work with and unbelievably committed to his clients." Chambers UK, 2011 Edition, Administrative and Public Law, London & UK-Wide. 

"A top man in public law." Legal 500 UK, 2010 Edition, Administrative and Public Law, London.

Tony Child is said by sources to be "at the top of his game." Clients praise his "great attention to detail and ability to spot the smallest of flaws in arguments." Chambers UK, 2011 Edition, Local Government, London & UK-Wide. 

The "peerless" Tony Child heads Beachcroft LLP's practice, which advises auditors and ombudsmen. Legal 500 UK, 2010 Edition, Local Government, London.