Rehana Popal

Asylum Civil Corporate Immigration Court of Protection Education Employment Extradition Health & Safety Housing Immigration & Nationality Inquests International Criminal Law International Human Rights Law International Law in Domestic Courts International Law, Human Rights and Civil Liberties Nationality & Citizenship Personal Injury Police Discipline Prison & Parole Boards Professional Discipline Public Inquiries Removal & Deportation

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.

BSc (Hons) International Politics, City university

Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), City Law School

Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), City Law School