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Index of tables

  1. Immigration – Leading Sets
  2. Immigration – Leading Silks
  3. Immigration – Leading Juniors

Immigration – Leading Juniors

    • Nadine Finch - Garden Court Chambers
    • Stephanie Harrison - Garden Court Chambers
    • Peter Jorro - Garden Court Chambers
    • Duran Seddon - Garden Court Chambers

Garden Court Chambers commands respect for its applicant work, and has a number of authorities on immigration law, including Ian Macdonald QC, the ‘pre-eminent Laurie Fransman QC, who has ‘unmatched knowledge of nationality law’, and ‘superb advocate’ Stephen Knafler QC. The ‘first-class’ Kathryn Cronin and ‘approachable’ Navtej Singh Ahluwalia are recommended, with the latter highlighted for his ‘thorough grasp’ of the Points Based System. Nadine Finch is ‘an inspiring proponent of children’s rights’, and Ronan Toal QC is a ‘skilful’ and ‘insightful’ advocate. Also recommended are Peter Jorro, who ‘imbues clients with confidence’; Duran Seddon, who is a future ‘star of the Bar’; David Jones, whose submissions are of ‘an extremely high standard’; and the ‘professional’ Michelle Brewer. Adrian Berry is ‘number one for European immigration matters’, and Mark Symes has ‘encyclopaedic knowledge of asylum law’.

Blackstone Chambers’ leading silks include Lord Pannick QC and Michael Fordham QC, whose ‘incredible mind commands judges ’ attention’; the ‘absolutely superb’ Monica Carss-Frisk QC, who is ‘highly respected’ by the courts; and Michael Beloff QC, who is an ‘ideal silk for groundbreaking cases’. Jane Collier, who is highlighted for asylum and free movement cases, Naina Patel, Kate Gallafent and Guy Goodwin-Gill are also recommended.

Doughty Street Chambers’ members are ‘proficient in EEA law’ and have an excellent reputation for claimant work, with Judith Farbey QC highlighted for her national security expertise. Recommended juniors include the ‘immensely experienced’ Laura Dubinsky; Mark Henderson, who is a ‘very skilled’ specialist in complex EEA appeal matters; the ‘knowledgeable’ John Walsh; and the ‘technically brilliant’ Joseph Middleton. The ‘extremely dedicated’ Alison Pickup recently acted in a high-profile asylum appeal in the Court of Appeal, concerning exclusion under United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. Simon Cox is now an associate tenant.

Thirty Nine Essex Street has an outstanding reputation for government representation, but has also seen an increase in instructions from claimants. Leading silks include Lisa Giovannetti QC, who has a ‘superb’ practice and handles a combination of national security and immigration cases; Eleanor Grey QC, who is noted for her excellent case preparation; and Steven Kovats QC, who wields ‘an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law’. Jenni Richards QC and Nigel Pleming QC are also recommended. ‘Outstanding’ junior Kate Grange was appointed to the Attorney General’s A panel and represented the Secretary of State in J1 v Secretary of State for the Home Department.

Matrix Chambers’ Raza Husain QC is a ‘passionate advocate’ with ‘exceptional knowledge’ of immigration law. On the junior side, Nick Armstrong is a ‘gifted’ senior junior who is ‘superb on his feet’, particularly in judicial reviews concerning unlawful detention. Samantha Knights handles cases concerning freedom of religion, and recently acted in Saeedi v UK. Rabinder Singh was appointed to the bench in October 2011.

At Tooks Chambers, Hugh Southey QC is recommended for his ‘astonishing work rate’, as is Rebecca Chapman, whose skeleton arguments are a ‘model of their kind’. The ‘imaginative’ Glen Hodgetts is an ‘unsung hero’, with a detailed knowledge of deportation and detention law. The ‘highly intelligent’ Amanda Weston is ‘extremely thorough’, and Grace Brown leaves ‘no stone unturned’. Abigail Smith is an ‘impressive ’ advocate in the higher courts.

At newly merged Lamb Building, the ‘professional’ Eric Fripp is ‘very good with clients’ and well versed in complex appeals. Allan Briddock provides ‘immediate, first-rate advice’ and has a ‘sound commercial approach’. Victoria Laughton is also recommended.

Landmark Chambers is home to several prolific juniors, including the ‘extremely bright’ Tim Buley, ‘user-friendly’ Galina Ward and ‘outstanding’ Christopher Jacobs and Mark O’Connor. Declan O’Callaghan shows ‘great interest in clients’ businesses’.

At No5 Chambers, Manjit Gill QC’s practice spans the breadth of immigration and human rights law. The ‘razor-sharp’ Ramby de Mello’s ‘innovative way of thinking’ makes him ‘a must’ for complex legal issues. Edward Nicholson is an ‘extremely conscientious barrister’ who constructs ‘novel arguments’ against the UK Border Agency. Abid Mahmood, Mahmud Al-Rashid and Danny Bazini are also recommended.

1 Pump Court grows ‘stronger and stronger’ every year. Leading juniors include ‘extremely good’ immigration detention specialist Graham Denholm; the ‘calm’ and ‘thorough’ Doron Blum; Ranjiv Khubber, who acted in R (Mayaya, AO and HE) v SSHD; and Parosha Chandran. The ‘thoroughly competent’ David Chirico is also recommended.

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