Dr Christina Lienen

Christina was called to the Bar in 2019 as a Queen Mother and Jules Thorn Scholar by Middle Temple. She holds a PhD in Constitutional Law from University College London, where she also held a position as Teaching Fellow in Public Law.

Christina's work on constitutional law and judicial reasoning in human rights adjudication has been published in high-profile peer-reviewed journals, see for example "Judicial Constitutional Comparativism at the UK Supreme Court" (2019) 39(1) Legal Studies 166-182, and "Common Law Constitutional Rights Jurisprudence: Public Law at a Crossroads?" [2018] Public Law 649-667.

She is trained as a qualified mediator - recognised by the Civil Mediation Council and Chartered Institute of Arbitrators - and is currently completing her mandatory observations to obtain full accreditation.

During her pupillage, Christina has gained experience across a broad range of areas.

Information and data protection law

• Drafted a reply in the First-tier Tribunal in the context of an appeal concerning various exemptions under the Freedom of Information Act.
• Drafted opinions in a number of data protection cases, including on inter-jurisdictional processor/controller responsibilities.
• Advised on the regulatory framework and drafted a GDPR compliant website privacy notice for a pro bono client.

Human rights law

• Drafted a skeleton argument opposing renewal of a judicial review human rights challenge under the Gender Recognition Act 2004.
• Contributed to an advice to the Equality and Human Rights Commission on their draft submissions to the UN Human Rights Committee concerning the UK's compliance with the rights to privacy, freedom of expression and association under the ICCPR.
• Prepared research notes and reviewed statements of case for a public sector equality duty judicial review defence.

Planning law

• Drafted a judicial review pre-action protocol letter, statement of facts and grounds and a reply in a judicial review application challenging the grant of planning. permission on EU law, Green Belt, reasons and climate change grounds.
• Drafted part of a planning closing statement, focusing on heritage aspects.

Contract/tort/commercial law

• Drafted a skeleton argument for a summary application hearing in a commercial dispute involving breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duties and an unlawful means conspiracy.
• Advised a pro bono client on a leasehold disrepair claim, which included the drafting of a Part 36 offer.
• Advised a pro bono client on penalties for the incorrect handling of a tenancy deposit.

Housing law

• Drafted an opinion on the correct approach to designating an area for selective licensing under section 80 of the Housing Act 2004.
• Drafted a reply in possession proceedings involving a mandatory antisocial behaviour ground under section 84A(3) of the Housing Act and rent arrears under Schedule 2 of the Housing Act.

Prior to obtaining her doctorate, Christina read for an MJur at the University of Oxford (Distinction), where she was awarded the Clifford Chance Proxime Accessit Prize for being ranked second in her year. She also holds an LL.B. (Distinction) from the University of Maastricht, BPTC from City, University of London (Very Competent) and GDL from the University of Law (Pass: BSB Exempt).

Christina regularly provides pro bono advice for Advocate and the Brixton Advice Centre. She is also registered as an expert on the professional skills banks of the NGO Reprieve.