Immigration

Prior to joining Doughty Street in 2005, Alasdair Mackenzie co-founded the charity Asylum Aid. He is now a leading immigration barrister, frequently appearing at all levels of tribunal, SIAC and the appeal courts. His noted areas of expertise include family law, human rights, asylum and deportation cases. He often appears in complex judicial reviews that seek to challenge Home Office immigration policy.

Catherine Meredith is an enterprising and experienced immigration barrister who is highly regarded for her strong commitment to cases involving trafficked children and sexual and gender-based violence. Her broad practice has a noted focus on judicial review, asylum claims and ECHR law. She is regularly instructed on behalf of prominent human rights NGOs, in both the Supreme Court and ECtHR.

David Lemer enjoys a strong following among specialist immigration and asylum solicitors, who instruct him in appeals and judicial review applications. He has notable expertise in areas including Article 8 rights and criminal convictions.

Graham Denholm is an experienced public law and immigration barrister with notable expertise in asylum and deportation matters, particularly cases involving vulnerable clients such as children and trafficking victims. He is a recognised immigration detention expert who is routinely called upon to act for clients in judicial review proceedings against the Home Office, including in cases before the Upper Tribunal and Court of Appeal.

A leading light at the immigration Bar, Laura Dubinsky KC is famed among peers and clients alike for her nous and insight into complex asylum and detention law. The depth of her knowledge is reflected by her routine appearances in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, where she frequently advises on landmark litigation concerning detention and removal. Recent highlights include acting for the UNHCR in a challenge concerning the Home Secretary's policy of removing asylum seekers to Rwanda.

A leading claimant-focused immigration barrister, Mark Henderson is regularly instructed by top-tier solicitors, given his vast expertise encompassing asylum, human rights and EU law. He is particularly noted for his work in cases concerning detention, and routinely appears in the highest domestic and European courts on behalf of vulnerable clients.

Shu Shin Luh is an excellent public law barrister who comes highly recommended for judicial review challenges to the lawfulness of detaining asylum seekers. Her clients are charities and vulnerable migrants claiming asylum in the UK on the grounds of torture, trafficking and other human rights abuses. She has appeared in immigration cases across all judicial forums, up to and including the Supreme Court and the ECtHR.

Simon Cox's return to the Bar has been welcomed by many immigration-focused solicitors, who have rushed to instruct him in their most complex immigration and asylum cases. Among other areas, he is noted for his strong expertise concerning the rights of EU and third-country nationals in the UK post-Brexit, and particularly the issue of Zambrano carers.

Joseph Middleton KC is a well-established immigration and human rights silk, appearing in all levels of domestic courts, as well as taking on other complex cases across the world. His experience across extradition, human rights and related death litigation, for both private clients and the state, bestows him with a well-rounded depth of knowledge.

Michelle Knorr focuses predominantly on claimant-side immigration and public law, and is a particularly experienced representative of victims of trafficking and other vulnerable individuals. Recently, she has been active across a range of complex family reunifications in the context of the war in Gaza, in which she has mobilised her deep knowledge in the representation of separated children.

Philip Haywood is an immigration stalwart who is highly regarded for his extensive experience and expertise. He routinely represents clients at all levels, including the First-tier Tribunal, Upper Tribunal and Court of Appeal. His recent work includes judicial review challenges and unlawful deportation claims relating to vulnerable individuals, particularly refugees.

Agata Patyna has a growing presence at the immigration Bar thanks to her representation of vulnerable individuals such as minors. She is knowledgeable in areas of human trafficking, unlawful detention and asylum claims. She has particular strength in refugee work and often advises on EU free movement proceedings. Her skills extend to nationality deprivation challenges and deportation appeals before the tribunals, Administrative Court and Court of Appeal.

Antonia Benfield is an established junior barrister with a broad immigration and asylum practice. Particularly adept across appeals, she regularly handles complex family matters, with a focus on handling nuanced cases involving children and vulnerable adults. She also has a great depth of experience in asylum and refugee law claims, supporting the claimant in their navigation of age assessments, judicial reviews and other procedural components of matters.

Rowena Moffatt is an esteemed specialist barrister in immigration and asylum law. She is regarded for her ability to undertake the full suite of immigration matters on behalf of both private individuals and businesses. Her recent work includes matters relating to unlawful detention and indefinite leave to remain, among other issues.

An experienced immigration, trafficking and human rights barrister, Adam Straw KC is known for his strong work across judicial reviews and challenges to public authorities. His knowledge is also displayed via his authorship of 'Discrimination in Public Law' and other works.

Asma Nizami has a strong practice in asylum claims and deportation appeals, typically acting for vulnerable individuals such as victims of trafficking or those at risk in their country of origin.

Grace Capel is a barrister with a well-respected immigration and asylum practice. She acts for claimants in appeals and judicial reviews, and has notable experience in relation to unlawful detention, bail accommodation issues and human trafficking.

A seasoned immigration barrister, John Walsh routinely undertakes public access work, as well as legal aid and privately funded matters. He has notable experience advising on family-related immigration, deportation and free movement cases under EU law. He represents clients at all levels from tribunal to the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the CJEU.

Marisa Cohen is a barrister known for her skill in immigration matters involving vulnerable individuals, such as unaccompanied children. She acts in a range of asylum and deportation appeals, and is experienced in bringing complex challenges through judicial review.

Zoe Harper has a growing reputation as a strong barrister in the immigration field. She has expert knowledge in refugee protection and is often involved in cases concerning human trafficking or gender-based violence.

Camila Zapata Besso is impressively experienced in the full spread of asylum law issues, including cases overlapping with extradition law. Her recent work includes claims concerning change of accommodation and Article 3 issues.

Experienced barrister Michael Spencer is noted for his expertise in EEA and EU settlement schemes, asylum and human rights appeals, and asylum and age assessment judicial reviews. His ranging practice is bolstered by his experience as a solicitor in the NGO sector, focusing on asylum and vulnerable peoples.

Anthony Vaughan KC is an immigration specialist who routinely acts on behalf of high-profile individuals in challenges against decisions of the Home Office, particularly regarding deportation or removal actions. He also assists in cases concerning deprivation of citizenship, including those with a national security element, and detained fast-track claims. He makes regular appearances before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.