Broach Steven

Steve Broach is a public lawyer who advises and represents individuals, charities, companies and public authorities. He has particular interest and expertise in health, education and social care, with a focus on disability and children's rights cases. His practice ranges from commercial judicial reviews to challenges to funding cuts to public services. Steve also has a regulatory public law practice involving challenges to decisions of regulatory bodies and the police.

Steve is a discrimination specialist who is experienced in using discrimination arguments in public law challenges. For example in the recent case involving Mr and Mrs C he persuaded the Upper Tribunal that the application of the 'tendency to physical abuse' exemption from the protection of the Equality Act 2010 breached Article 14 ECHR when applied to children with autism. Steve is a member of the Equality and Human Rights Commission 'A' Panel of counsel.

Steve is instructed in the High Court and above in applications for judicial review, in the Court of Protection for cases involving the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and in the First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal in education and other appeals. He also has significant expertise in advising clients on safeguarding issues in relation to both children and adults.

Steve is ranked in four categories by Chambers and Partners, including in Band 1 for Community Care and Education. Steve has appeared in a large number of reported cases, including many of the Supreme Court cases on disability issues. Steve was awarded Young Barrister of the Year at the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards 2011.

Steve is co-author of Disabled Children: A Legal Handbook (Legal Action Group, Third Edition, 2020) and Children in Need: Local Authority Support for Children and Families (Legal Action Group, Second Edition, 2013). He wrote the chapter on the Independent Safeguarding Authority (now Disclosure and Barring Service) in Professional Discipline and Healthcare Regulators: A Legal Handbook (Legal Action Group, 2012). Steve is an editor of the Community Care Law Reports, published by Legal Action Group.

Before coming to the Bar in 2008, Steve worked extensively in the voluntary sector on behalf of disabled children and disabled adults. From 2006 to 2008, Steve was Campaign Manager for the Every Disabled Child Matters campaign (EDCM). From 2004-2006, Steve was Head of Public Affairs at TreeHouse, the national charity for autism education. Prior to this, Steve established the policy and campaigns team at the National Autistic Society, where he was Head of Policy and Campaigns.