Taimour practises in immigration, public law, inquests and human rights.
He is public access accredited and welcomes direct enquiries from members of the public seeking advice or representation.
IMMIGRATION: ASYLUM AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Overview
Taimour's immigration practice covers the full range of statutory appeals, specialising in asylum and deportation. He is also regularly instructed in judicial reviews in both the High Court and the Upper Tribunal, including urgent challenges to removal, unlawful detention, certifications, NRM trafficking decisions and failures to provide asylum support accommodation.
Taimour is public access accredited and welcomes direct enquiries from members of the public seeking advice or representation. He successfully assists clients with exclusions, PBS challenges and visit visa refusals.
He was a volunteer on the duty scheme at the Asylum Support Appeals Project and also provides regular pro bono advice to individuals at Haringey Migrant Support Centre, with an emphasis on regularisation of status.
He is a contributing author to Macdonald’s Immigration Law and Practice, 11th Edition (2024). Taimour sits part-time as a Deputy Upper Tribunal Judge (Immigration and Asylum Chamber).
Notable Cases
Upper Tribunal quashed Home Office’s refusal to consider an Article 8 human rights claim
R (Pasha) v Secretary of State for the Home Department JR-2024-LON-0000744
Judicial review claim clarifies correct interpretation of Abbas and the circumstances in which an entry clearance application can exceptionally engage Article 8.
AM Zimbabwe applies to destitution claims
Ainte (material deprivation, Art 3, AM Zimbabwe) [2021] UKUT 203 (IAC)
Upper Tribunal guidance on the new Article 3 ECHR breach threshold for socio-economic deprivation.
High Court orders release from immigration detention
R (on the application of Osadebay) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2020] 8 WLUK 80
Mr Justice Linden granted interim relief and costs to the Claimant.
Challenge to Dublin III transfer to Bulgaria
R (HSF) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2019] UKAITUR JR112832014
Complex Dublin III challenge succeeded on basis of unlawful certification. Led by Mark Symes.
Afghan fresh claim judicial review succeeds
FS (Afghanistan) v Secretary of State for the Home Department JR/10273/2015
Settled following permission by Court of Appeal against UT judgment.
Successful quashing of age assessment
R(Q) v Leicestershire County Council & Anor [2016] EWHC 2087
Successful judicial review establishing that an Eritrean asylum-seeker was a child upon arrival in the UK. Claim for unlawful detention also later settled.
Challenge to Iraqi migrant's conviction
R v YY [2016] EWCA Crim 18
Recipient of Humanitarian Protection from Iraq prosecuted for document offence. Appeal against conviction heard by Sir Brian Leveson.
War Crimes exclusion
AA (Rwanda) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2014] UKAITUR
Upper Tribunal appeal involving attempted refugee exclusion of Rwandan national accused of war crimes. Three-day hearing before panel. Junior Counsel to Duran Seddon.
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Inquests and Inquiries
Overview
Taimour is a member of the INQUEST Lawyers Group and Garden Court Inquests Team. He represents bereaved families at Coroner's inquests involving state authorities, including prison and immigration detention as well as patients who have died while detained or under the care of mental health services in the community.
He also brings civil claims arising from breach of duties by the state, including Article 2 ECHR and negligence.
Notable Cases
The scope of local authority duties in the context of a death in the community
Parkin, R (On the Application Of) v His Majesty's Assistant Coroner for Inner London (East) [2024] EWHC 744 (Admin)
High Court finds “real and immediate risk to life” but concludes Article 2 ECHR was not engaged.
Jury find neglect in Daryl Hargrave Inquest
Jury found that "neglect" had contributed to the death of a 22-year-old prisoner suffering from psychosis at HMP Winchester. Coverage by the BBC and The Guardian.
Inquest exposes Carillion contract failure
The Ministry of Justice policy gap identified during the inquest into death of Sean Plumstead was taken up by the shadow secretary of state for justice.
Met Police subject to criticism in Faisa Ahmed Inquest
The jury returned a narrative conclusion critical of the police and London Ambulance Service. The Coroner issued three Reports to Prevent Future Deaths. Taimour successfully obtained interim relief from the High Court in 2015 to ensure the inquest was Article 2 ECHR compliant. A civil claim against the Metropolitan Police subsequently succeeded. Extended coverage by The Guardian and Sky News.
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Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery
Overview
Taimour represents victims of trafficking in claims for judicial review of NRM decisions, in appeals within the immigration tribunal and through applications to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) and Court of Appeal. He has particular expertise in China, Vietnam and West Africa cases.
Notable Cases
High Court quashed negative Reasonable Grounds decision
SM, R (On the Application Of) v The Secretary of State for the Home Department [2024] EWHC 1683 (Admin)
The Defendant failed to rationally acknowledge there was a credible suspicion that the Claimant had been manipulated into a debt for the purpose of future exploitation - in circumstances in which the child had escaped his home country before suffering any further planned harm.
Upper Tribunal allows appeal on basis of disputed trafficking definition
JFK v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2018] UKAITUR PA068542016
Successfully argued that the Convention had been misconstrued.
Court of Appeal considers VoT's historic conviction
R v Okedare & Ors [2014] EWCA Crim 228
Application for appeal against conviction of a victim of trafficking. Heard by special panel of the Court of Appeal.
Crown Court overturns conviction of cannabis farm victim
R (TT) at Lincoln Crown Court [2014]
A successful application to the Criminal Cases Review Commission led to referral to the Crown Court which quashed the conviction at a hearing in 2014
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International Human Rights
Taimour's current international work includes trial observation for human rights groups in the Middle East and participation in legal advice projects for refugees in Greece since 2016. He has also recently published investigations of human rights abuses in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
Since 2020 he has been on the Board of ‘Declassified UK’, an investigative journalism organisation.
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Pro Bono Work
Taimour was a volunteer on the duty scheme at the Asylum Support Appeals Project and also provides regular pro bono advice to individuals at Haringey Migrant Support Centre, with an emphasis on regularisation of status and EU residence rights. He previously volunteered with the Unity Centre in Glasgow and Bail for Immigration Detainees.
