Rehana Popal

Work Department

Position

Rehana is a skilled and robust advocate whose practice encompasses all aspects Public and Civil law with a significant focus on international protection, human rights, community and education law. Rehana has substantial expertise in representing vulnerable clients, whether due to age, lack of capacity, special education needs or serious trauma in complex litigation.

Prior to commencing pupillage Rehana gained substantial legal experience, with a particular focus on human rights law. Rehana worked as a paralegal in the International Group Claims department at Leigh Day assisting in civil claims involving alleged human rights abuses at the hands of British forces by claimants in Afghanistan. She also served a 4-year term as a Director for the School Exclusion Project, run jointly by City Law School & Matrix Chambers. During this time she represented clients with Special Educational Needs at Governor Hearings, Independent Review Panels and First-Tier Tribunals.

Rehana maintains a strong commitment to pro bono work; as Panel Counsel at Advocate (formerly the Bar Pro Bono Unit). Shr is the first Afghan national to be called to the Bar by Inner Temple and is the first female Afghan Barrister practising in England and Wales. Rehana welcomes instructions that are either privately funded or legally aided and is also happy to assist on a Public Access basis where appropriate.

Rehana specialises in asylum and refugee law, representing both in both the First Tier and Upper Tribunals, including those who have been the victims of torture, serious human rights abuses and trafficking. She has particular experience working with clients who have complex mental health problems.

In Addidtion, she is highly experienced in refugee claims from Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq. Her knowledge of country information is extensive and she excels in presenting complex factual cases.  

As well her busy court diary, Rehana is also regularly instructed to advise and draft grounds of appeal as well as grounds seeking permission to bring judicial review proceedings. Rehana regularly drafts fresh claims, grounds seeking permission to bring judicial review proceedings including challenges to fresh claims under §353 of the Immigration Rules, economic migration, unlawful detention and certification.

Career

Notable Cases

R v D. Defence of a man accused of cultivating £160,000 worth of Cannabis on an industrial scale. Defendant’s role was attributed to a gardener. Following a skilled plea in mitigation the defendant was given a suspended sentence and community service.

L v E. Acting for a Defendant in a case involving two claimants where there were neck and back injuries, pleaded in excess of £20,000. The Claimant only obtained judgement for £6000.

R v H.  Defence of a man accused of selling £10,000 worth of illegal tobacco. Following a skilled plea in mitigation  the defendant was given a suspended sentence and community order.

R v F.  Representing mother in a 4 day trial, LA application for a care order and placement order, grounds of neglect.

Mau Mau.  Instructed on behalf of Kenyan claimants alleging historic human rights abuses. Drafting and finalising papers and bundles for trial.

Awards & Prizes

2019 Barrister of the Year Award 2019, First 100 years Women in Law Awards 

2019 Pegasus Scholar, New Zealand

2015 Sir Geoffrey Nice Scholarship

2013 Bar Pro-Bono Award – Awarded to the School Exclusion Project

2012 Inner Temple Major Exhibition Scholarship

Languages

Pashto (fluent)

Memberships

Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association

Advocate (formerly the Bar Pro Bono Unit) Bail for Immigration Detainees

Education

BSc (Hons) International Politics, City university

Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), City Law School

Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), City Law School