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, the 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.

"Alasdair can always see the wood for the trees in complex immigration and nationality cases."

"He is a technically gifted barrister."

"Alasdair has very good judgement and is excellent at drafting."

"Alasdair has total commitment to his clients."

"He has a lot of experience that he brings to the table. He is hugely committed to his clients."

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.

"He is amazing, especially on false imprisonment. When you instruct Graham, you know you're in safe hands. He just knows his stuff and will work with you to progress a case."

"Graham has exceptional attention to detail, provides clear and comprehensive advice, and has great tactical sense."

"He is simply excellent at what he does."

"His knowledge in the field is second to none."

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.

"Mark is a real pleasure to work with. I was really grateful for his willingness to think creatively and keep pushing for as long as we could."

"Mark has an excellent legal brain and has been at the forefront of many immigration and equality challenges to government policy."

"Mark is very knowledgeable and easy to work with. He has great attention to detail and focuses on the best outcome for the client."

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.

"Shu Shin Luh is very passionate. She really cares about the client."

"She is incredibly clever and knowledgeable."

"Shu Shin is brilliant in every respect - passionate, approachable, highly intelligent, generous with her time, client-focused and leaves no stone unturned."

"She is universally admired for her judicial review work and commitment to legal aid."

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.

"Simon is extremely clever and is very invested in getting good outcomes for clients."

"Simon Cox is an immigration law walking encyclopedia."

"He is innovative and strategic in his approach."

"He is very passionate about clients."

Anthony Vaughan 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.

"He is great to work with, and his drafting is precise and cuts through the issues."

"He has excellent attention to detail, he is fearless and strategic, and he is also brilliant with vulnerable clients."

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.

"Catherine goes above and beyond the confines of the legal case to find creative solutions."

"Catherine understood our client's priorities and concerns and provided really good written work."

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.

"My go-to for any complicated case, David is clear, direct and realistic."

"David is fair and likeable, with an informal but effective way in court. He really knows his stuff."

"David knows how to win and bring in the law to benefit the clients."

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.

"She is a force of nature."

"She is absolutely sensational."

"Laura Dubinsky is high class, very persuasive, and able to explain complex issues and put them across in a straightforward, compelling way."

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. Her recent work has seen her acting on behalf of individuals in matters concerning the Home Secretary's failure to grant them visas through the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

"She's incredibly passionate about the work; she will just leave no stone unturned."

"Michelle is sharp and a non-stop powerhouse."

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.

"Philip is very caring and looks out for the best interests of the client."

"Philip is extremely knowledgeable. He explained everything clearly to the client and supported him very well during the appeal process."

"He has a very good mastery of very detailed cases."

"Philip always cuts to the chase and sees the bottom line."

Antonia Benfield is an up-and-coming junior barrister with a growing immigration and asylum practice. She is particularly experienced in immigration cases that involve family members of EEA nationals and third-country removal claims. Other strengths include representing vulnerable individuals, including those with mental health conditions, in complex asylum claims.

"She is really fantastic - extremely committed and brilliant at drafting. She really cares about clients."

"She is an excellent advocate."

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.

"Rowena quickly gets to grips with the details of complex cases."

"She produces high-quality written work and is a very good advocate."

"Rowena is a safe pair of hands. She is calm and collected when faced by legal conundrums."

"Rowena gives excellent guidance on issues for the client and is extremely responsive to the instructing solicitor and client."

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.

"Agata is very dedicated and hard-working. She is invaluable to have on the team."

"She is easy to work with, dedicated and reliable."

"Agata is very intelligent and extraordinary at fact management."

"Her approach to care is excellent."

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.

"She is incredibly intelligent and extremely personable. Simply brilliant."

"Grace is very smart. She is client-focused. She can cope with very challenging and urgent work."

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.

"He is a veteran champion for refugees and migrants."

"He has a very good style and is able to make the complex simple."

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.

"She gives very detailed and efficient advice, and her advocacy is excellent."

"She cares about her clients; she works diligently and is determined for them."

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.

"Zoe is brilliant with vulnerable clients."

"Zoe is exceptionally thoughtful and full of interest to investigate complex and novel issues."

"Zoe's work is extremely detailed, and her ability to think through all the issues from many different angles is remarkable."

"She's just excellent."

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.

"Asma is incredibly sharp. She is a problem solver who works collaboratively with instructing solicitors. She is highly empathetic and kind towards clients."

"She is very patient; our client had been through a lot but was met with grace."

"She is a very good advocate who is clear and concise."

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.

"She has my back on complicated cases and her work is exceptional."

"Camila provides very prompt and detailed advice, and she is extremely good at explaining complex matters to vulnerable clients."