The ‘strong multi-disciplinary’ team at 39 Essex Chambers is distinguished for its robust immigrations appeals and judicial review practice, with the set representing both claimants and the Home Office in ’some of the leading cases’ before all levels of the courts. The highly regarded Lisa Giovannetti KC is noted for acting on behalf of the government in immigration test cases, with recent cases involving the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy, family reunion policy for refugee children and the Special Immigration Appeals Commission. Rory Dunlop KC successfully represented the Home Office in AM (Belarus) v SSHD before the Supreme Court, setting a new precedent regarding whether there may be a positive obligation under Article 8 ECHR to give lawful status to an illegal immigrant who has obstructed removal. Colin Thomann KC centres his practice upon new country guidance determinations and policy challenges, while Alan Payne KC recently acted for the Home Office defeating a challenge to Home Office policy on the allocation of accommodation to vulnerable asylum seekers.
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Profile

Profile

Position

Public law, asylum and immigration, human rights, local government. Cases include: Januzi v SSHD (HL) [2006] 2 WLR 397; Westminster City Council v Morris (CA) [2006] 1 WLR 505; GH (Iraq) v SSHD (CA) [2006] Imm AR 19; Gezer v SSHD [2005] HRLR7; R (Ullah) v SSHD (HL) [2006] 2 AC 323.

Career

Called 1990; Gray’s Inn; ‘A’ Panel Counsel to the Crown since 2004. Publications of note include the Immigration appeals section of EMIS looseleaf ’Civil Appeals’.

Memberships

ALBA.

Education

St Aloysius Convent School; London (LLB Hons); Inns of Court School of Law (1989).

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Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Very experienced and knowledgeable in immigration.'
  • '39 Essex Chambers is a powerhouse in immigration.'
  • 'Clear, persuasive and strategic.'
  • '39 Essex Chambers are a strong multi-disciplinary chambers. Their public law teams (including immigration law) are very strong and they are involved in some of the leading cases.'