Raza Halim

Year of Call: 2009

"He is highly knowledgeable in the field of immigration, asylum and human rights matters."

Legal 500, 2024

"Very experienced and very smooth in court."

Chambers UK, 2024

"He absolutely knows what he's doing in the crossover of immigration and public law. It's a real pleasure to work with him." "He is incredibly gifted; he provides excellent drafting and has the ability to be at the coalface and assist in complex test cases all at the same time."

Chambers UK, 2023

"He handles urgent work very bravely and effectively."

Chambers UK, 2022 (Administrative & Public Law)

"He does a really excellent job on challenging cases, he has a good knack of presenting them with real clarity and persuasiveness, which helps the judges cut through a lot of the complexity."

Chambers UK, 2022 (Immigration)

"An extremely measured advocate, with a magnificent command of the written word. He is also always willing to step in, even with the most difficult cases – Raza is a frontline legal aid barrister."

Legal 500, 2022 (Immigration)

Contact

To get in touch:​ Or you can contact the relevant​ Practice Team Clerks directly and they will be happy to assist with your enquiry.

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Raza Halim specialises in public law, with an emphasis on refugee law and human rights. He specialises in judicial review and appellate work in the fields of international protection, civil liberties and national security, regularly acting in test case litigation challenging Executive policy at first instance, through to the Supreme Court. 

Notable Cases

AAA v Secretary of State for the Home Department (Rwanda) [2022] EWHC 3230 
Challenge to the Government’s ‘Rwanda Policy’, to transfer asylum claimants to Rwanda if they have arrived in the UK by making “dangerous journeys” arriving by “small boats”. The Claimants challenged the scheme on a number of grounds, including that Rwanda was not a “safe third country” based on evidence from the UNHCR, claimants risked being unlawfully returned by Rwanda to the country of their persecution (‘refoulement’), and contrary to the 1951 Refugee Convention. Raza acted for the Claimants ‘NSK’ and ‘AT’, who won their individual challenges to the Home Secretary’s decisions.
Press coverage: The Guardian, ITV News, The Independent here and here, Sky News and The New York Times

R (CSM) v Secretary of State v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2021] 4 WLR 110
First time in English law that a Court held the British State to be in breach of its ‘systems duty’ under Article 3 ECHR. The Court declared that the Home Secretary failed to: 1) put in place adequate systems of care to protect those with HIV detained under immigration powers; 2) take all reasonable steps to avoid a real and immediate risk of harm to the Claimant by timeously providing antiretroviral medication (material breach of Article 3 ECHR operational duty) – officials were not told about the need to administer antiretroviral medication without delay or how to obtain it 3) the Home Secretary had no or any adequate policies and guidance in place dealing with individuals with HIV and failed to prevent the failings in this case. Led by Chris Buttler KC.
Press coverage: Guardian

R (Lawal) v Secretary of State for the Home Department (death in detention, SoS's duties) [2021] UKUT 114 (IAC)
This case concerned the Home Secretary’s failure to ensure the effective investigation of deaths in the immigration detention estate. It is the first domestic case to affirm that the duty to ensure an effective investigation under Article 2 ECHR affects the exercise of the Secretary of State’s immigration powers. The Court held that Home Secretary must not frustrate or undermine an inquiry into how and in what circumstances a vulnerable person died where Article 2 ECHR is engaged. Led by Sonali Naik KC.
Press coverage: Guardian here and here

P3 v Secretary of State for the Home Department (SC/148/2018, SC/148/2020)
National security case before SIAC where a British Citizen was deprived of his citizenship whilst abroad on the basis that he was assessed 'to have links with Iranian intelligence services' and 'was prepared to accept tasking'. The case concerned whether the Home Secretary had lawfully refused him entry clearance to 1) effectively participate in his deprivation appeal 2) ensure against the severance of family ties in the UK and 3) head off a serious risk of suicide.

JM v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2022] PTSR 260
Test case judicial review challenging the Home Secretary’s decision to refuse to provide asylum support payments to vulnerable asylum seekers to cover communication expenses, a fortiori during the extreme isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Court granted the application, holding that need to communicate was an essential living need for the group of asylum seekers as a whole and could not properly be classified as exceptional. Led by Chris Buttler KC. 

Hemmati & Ors v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2019] UKSC 56
Led by Michael Fordham QC. Supreme Court held that Home Secretary had failed to institute into domestic law and apply the high level of protection provided by EU law against the detention of asylum seekers. That meant that the appellants and any asylum seeker who had been detained pending their removal to Member States between 2014 – 2017, were entitled to damages for the tort of false imprisonment.
Press coverage: The Guardian and Independent.

Idahosa v R [2019] EWCA Crim 1953
Successful appeal against conviction for a refugee using false documents in order to escape persecution. The Appellant served 15 months in prison owing to the defective legal advice of his lawyers. The Court of Appeal provided guidance on the statutory interpretation of being in “transit”.

MR (Pakistan) & Anor v Secretary of State for Justice & Ors [2019] EWHC 3567
Led by Hugh Southey QC. Judicial review of the scheme governing the detention of immigration detainees held in the prison estate where the Prison Rules fail to provide equivalent protection or mechanisms to discover and release detainees who are victims of torture, compared to the rules governing immigration detention centres. That lacuna is also a breach of Article 14 ECHR and Equality Act 2010.

Foley v Secretary of State for Justice & Anor [2019] EWHC 488 
Challenge to the decision by the Secretary of State to retain Claimant in custody pursuant to an indeterminate sentence of imprisonment for public protection, depriving him of removal from prison through the "Tariff-Expired Removal Scheme" ("TERS").

Gasztony v Secretary of State for the Home Department & NHS England [2019] EWHC 2879
Unlawful detention of a person suffering from autistic spectrum disorder in breach of the Home Secretary’s published policy, Article 8 ECHR, and at common law, where, but for delays attributable to the Secretary of State, the Claimant could have been released, instead his mental health decomposed in detention. The Court held that the Secretary of State had a “special duty” to vulnerable persons in detention to ensure that there is no unnecessary delay in locating and securing appropriate accommodation/treatment in the community.

ZN Afghanistanv Secretary of State for the Home Department [2018] EWCA Civ 1059
Led by Stephen Knafler QC. Court of Appeal held that it was relevant to take into consideration the fact that a party was funded by legal aid, when determining the award of costs. The Court held that effective access to justice was of profound concern to the courts, especially in the field of public law, which concerned the legality of the executive's actions and so related in a direct way to the rule of law.

Adegun v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2019] EWHC 22 
The detention of a seriously mentally ill man, suffering inter alia psychotic bipolar disorder, previously been sectioned under the Mental Health Act, was unlawful. The Home Secretary failed to discharge her duty of care by failing to dispense critical anti-psychotic medication to him, worsening his condition.

Hussein & Ors v Secretary of State for the Home Department & G4S (Liberty intervening) [2018] EWHC 213
Led by Stephanie Harrison QC. The Secretary of State had interfered with and indirectly discriminated against the rights of Muslim asylum seekers and migrants, protected under Articles 9 and 14 ECHR. The conditions in the detention centre compromised their ability to observe their faith through prayer. Press coverage: BBC, The Guardian, The Independent.

AM (Afghanistan) v & Lord Chancellor & Anor [2017] EWCA Civ 1123
Led by Stephanie Harrison QC. Guideline case as to the principles to be applied in the determination of asylum claims made by vulnerable, incapacitated and/or young persons. The Court of Appeal also ruled that tribunals have the power to appoint a litigation friend. See Lexis Nexis Briefing Note.

Corbiere Ltd & Ors v Secretary Of State For Justice & Secretary of State for the Home Department [2017] EWHC 3364
Challenge brought by a hedge fund against decisions to refuse to recall the interested party to prison from licence and refuse to halt his deportation, where it was alleged that the interested party, a 'quantitative analyst' had stolen and reverse engineered 55 secret algorithmic trading strategies worth at least £31 million and that his deportation would open the firm to "serious harm". Press coverage: The Guardian, Bloomberg.

YA v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2017] EWHC 2135
The Secretary of State unlawfully detained a victim of torture. The Secretary of State was also censured by the Court for repeatedly breaching orders to release. Press coverage: The Guardian.

HK (Iraq) & Ors v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2017] EWCA Civ 1871
Test case challenge to the removal of asylum seekers to Bulgaria under the 'Dublin III Regulation' in violation of Article 3 ECHR and Article 4 EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, because of the parlous state of reception conditions in that country for asylum seekers.

Wasif v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2016] EWCA Civ 82
Led by Michael Fordham QC. Guideline case as to the correct approach to certification of judicial review cases as "totally without merit".

M2 v Secretary of State for the Home Department SC/124/2014
Led by Hugh Southey QC. National security case in SIAC concerning deprivation of British Citizenship. In particular the case raises the issue of whether the application of EU law was material to the disclosure exercise.  

ZG & SA v Secretary of State for the Home Department SN/23-24/2015
Review in SIAC of the Secretary of State's decision to refuse to naturalise on good character grounds for reasons of national security, focusing upon an applicant's right to prior consultation and pre-decision disclosure.

Jamar Brown v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2015] UKSC 8
Led by Stephen Knafler QC. The  Supreme Court held that the Secretary of State had acted unlawfully in designating Jamaica a 'safe' country in view of the risk of persecution faced by persons dependent upon their sexual orientation.

JM & Ors v Secretary of State for the Home Department& Anor [2015] EWHC 2331
Led by Stephanie Harrison QC. Successful challenge to the operation of the Detained Fast Track system, leading to its suspension by the Minister for Immigration, after a decade of operation. Reported by the BBC, The Guardian and The Times.

AI v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2015] EWHC 244
Led by Raza Husain QC. Challenge to third country removals to France under the Dublin III Regulations in cases subjected to a detained fast track process in that country. Judgment conceded to be vitiated by material errors of law by Secretary of State on appeal.

IKM v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2015] EWHC 3031
Judicial review of decisions to unlawfully detain and remove victim of rape and torture on ‘third country’ grounds. Reported by the BBC, The Independent and The Huffington Post.

AA (Sudan) v Secretary of State for the Home Department & Anor [2014] EWHC 2118
Successful claim for unlawful detention. The Secretary of State's lack of resources did not provide a satisfactory answer to her failure to review the Claimant's detention.

Martin Ndomba Mulumba v First Tier Tribunal (Asylum Support) & Anor
Led by Stephen Knafler QC. Successful challenge to the widespread practice of the Asylum Support Tribunal and Secretary of State for the Home Department refusing to grant accommodation and financial support to otherwise destitute and homeless failed asylum seekers with outstanding Article 8 ECHR claims. See Court's declaration here.

Hiri v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2014] EWHC 254
Successful judicial review of the Secretary of State's decision to refuse naturalisation on grounds of 'good character' of a member of the British Army for a speeding offence. The Court provided guidance as to how the Secretary of State must approach assessments of good character. Reported by the BBC, The Guardian, and The Daily Mail.

LM & Ors v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2014] EWHC 2015
Challenge to the lawfulness of Statement of Changes HC 820 on the grounds of its capriciousness offending principles of legal certainty and in turn the rule of law where it retrospectively made additional requirements of child applicants and their parents seeking leave to remain on grounds of private and family life.

R v Jaddi [2012] EWCA Crim 2565
A successful appeal against conviction before Hughes LJ Vice President of the Criminal Division (as he then was) concerning the availability of the s.31 defence in respect of an Iranian asylum seeker convicted of false document offences.

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Pro Bono Work

Raza advises NGOs and charities on bringing strategic challenges to unlawful policies and represents detainees for Bail for Immigration Detainees.

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Notable Cases & News

Garden Court Chambers wins awards in four categories at Legal 500 Bar Awards 2024

We are delighted to announce that Garden Court Chambers has won four awards at The Legal 500 Bar Awards, held on Wednesday 25 September 2024.

26 September 2024

Garden Court Chambers shortlisted for record-breaking fourteen awards at The Legal 500 Bar Awards

We are delighted to announce that Garden Court Chambers has been shortlisted in a record-breaking fourteen categories at The Legal 500 Bar Awards.

9 July 2024

Immigration Blog: Garden Court barristers secure clean sweep of Rwanda removals bail victories

Blog post by Georgie Rea of the Garden Court Immigration Law Team.

24 June 2024

SSHD Withdraws New Evidential Test for ‘Reasonable Grounds’ Decisions in Modern Slavery Statutory Guidance

Raza Halim, of the Garden Court Chambers Public Law Team, represented AS and BXR, alongside Chris Buttler KC and Katy Sheridan of Matrix Chambers, instructed by Duncan Lewis.

27 June 2023

Interim relief granted in legal challenge over new statutory guidance on Modern Slavery

Raza Halim of the Garden Court Immigration and Public Law Teams is acting for the claimant, alongside Chris Butler KC and Katy Sheridan of Matrix Chambers. Counsel are instructed by Shalini Patel, Hannah Baynes, Freya Mutimer, Hannah Jandu, Rhiannon Croke

17 May 2023

Afghan children and their families abandoned in remote hotels following High Court ruling

Raza Halim, Tessa Buchanan, Oliver Persey, and Alex Schymyck of the Garden Court Public Law Team acted for the families, instructed by Public Law Project, Deighton Pierce Glynn and Shelter Legal Services.

24 March 2023

Court of Appeal rules refugees without any safe or legal route can be prosecuted for simply arriving

Sonali Naik KC, Jennifer Twite, Ali Bandegani and Raza Halim of Garden Court Chambers acted for the Defendant.

2 March 2023

Rwanda judgment: Permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal granted

Sonali Naik KC, Amanda Weston KC, Mark Symes, Eva Doerr, Isaac Ricca-Richardson, Alex Grigg, David Sellwood, Raza Halim and Ali Bandegani of Garden Court Chambers instructed for the claimants.

18 January 2023

Rwanda judgment: Home Secretary failed to properly consider if asylum seekers should not be relocated to Rwanda

Garden Court Chambers (with others) represented a number of claimants.

19 December 2022

Changes to the international protection regime under the Nationality & Borders Act – answers to eight burning questions

11 October 2022

Court of Appeal to determine if obtaining interim relief in Judicial Review proceedings amounts to success for costs purposes

Raza Halim of the Garden Court Chambers Public Law Team represented the Claimant, led by Tim Buley QC of Landmark Chambers. They were instructed by Ahmed Aydeed, Darren Middleton and Anna Somo of Duncan Lewis Solicitors.

21 July 2021

Home Office held in breach of Article 2 duty concerning death in immigration detention

Sonali Naik QC, Raza Halim and Stephen Clark of the Garden Court Chambers Public Law Team represented the Applicant. They were instructed by Jamie Bell and Toufique Hossain of Duncan Lewis Public Law Team.

14 April 2021

Supreme Court holds that Dublin III Detention between January 2014 and March 2017 was unlawful

Irena Sabic of Garden Court was instructed by Bahar Ata of Duncan Lewis; Greg Ó Ceallaigh of Garden Court was instructed by Krisha Prathepan of Duncan Lewis and Raza Halim of Garden Court was instructed by Kaweh Beheshtizadeh of Fadiga and Co.

27 November 2019

Court of Appeal - detention of asylum seekers unlawful under Article 28 Dublin III

In a majority decision, the Court of Appeal (Etherton and Peter Jackson LLJ; Sales LJ dissenting) delivered a significant judgment affecting the lawfulness of detention of asylum seekers subject to the Dublin III Regulation.

8 October 2018

Permission granted to seek public inquiry into systematic abuse at Brook House Immigration Removal Centre

Garden Court's Stephanie Harrison QC was instructed with Alex Goodman of Landmark Chambers, by Duncan Lewis Solicitors.

23 May 2018

High Court rules on “discriminatory and unlawful practices” at Brook House. Muslim immigration detainees forced to worship in degrading conditions.

The claimants were represented by Stephanie Harrison QC, Raza Halim and Stephen Simblet and instructed by Duncan Lewis Public Law.

2 February 2018

High Court finds “without hesitation” that detention of torture victim in the Detained Fast Track was unlawful

The claimant was represented by Raza Halim of Garden Court Chambers.

18 August 2017

“A child is foremost a child before he or she is a refugee”: Court of Appeal provides new guidance to tribunals to ensure children and vulnerable persons have their voices heard in asylum proceedings

Raza Halim and Stephanie Harrison QC were instructed by Brighton Housing Trust for the appellant.

1 August 2017

Garden Court and Stephanie Harrison QC shortlisted for Human Rights and Public Law awards

Garden Court has been shortlisted at the Chambers Bar Awards, whilst Stephanie and our Public Law Team are shortlisted at the Legal 500 Awards.

21 October 2016

Home Office found to have unlawfully detained refugee child who fled torture in Syria

The child was represented by Raza Halim of Garden Court Chambers, instructed by Duncan Lewis.

4 May 2016

Special Immigration Appeals Commission finds refusal of British citizenship unfair

The applicants were represented by Edward Grieves and Raza Halim.

20 April 2016

Theresa May slammed by High Court judge after unlawfully detaining Sudanese rape and torture victim

The claimant was represented by Raza Halim of Garden Court's Immigration and Asylum Team.

13 October 2015

President of First-tier Tribunal provides ruling to restart appeals process in Detained Fast Track cases

Raza Halim of Garden Court Chambers' Immigration Team was instructed by Toufique Hossain of Duncan Lewis.

11 August 2015

Home Office defeated again at the High Court over fast-track asylum process

The Immigration Minister has announced the suspension of the detained fast track asylum process. The announcement was in response to test cases brought by Garden Court Chambers.

3 July 2015

UK Government acted unlawfully in designating Jamaica as safe for gay asylum seekers

Mr Brown was represented Stephen Knafler QC, Paul Nettleship and Raza Halim.

4 March 2015

High Court rules in favour of former soldier refused British Citizenship because of speeding offence

The High Court today ruled in favour of a former member of the British Armed Forces who had been refused British Citizenship on the basis of a sole speeding offence for which he received 5 points and a £100 fine. Raza Halim was instructed for the claiman

18 February 2014

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Publications

Raza is a contributing author to Macdonald's Immigration Law & Practice, 9th Edition, the authoritative practitioner text in the jurisdiction.

Awards

In June 2016 Raza was profiled as Lawyer of the Week in The Times, having acted in judicial review proceedings to obtain the release of a 16-year-old Syrian child refugee who had been detained for a month with adults by the Home Office.

Education

  • MA (Oxon.)
  • MSc
  • Princess Royal Scholar

Languages

  • Bengali

We are top ranked by independent legal directories and consistently win awards.

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