England - London Bar
2

Immigration (including business immigration)

Doughty Street Chambers

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Doughty Street Chambers has expertise in the full range of immigration, nationality and asylum law with a broad range of sub-specialisms, including business immigration, national security, detention, trafficking and EU settlement issues. Described as ‘fast becoming a go-to set for immigration and asylum work’, members act for a diverse range of individuals, charities, transitional organisations and companies, and appear before all levels of the court system, including specialist immigration tribunals. Laura Dubinsky KC was lead counsel for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in the Rwanda litigation, supported by Agata Patyna, whilst Alasdair Mackenzie and Michelle Knorr were instructed in the case as part of other teams. Adam Straw KC, a Special Advocate in national security cases, has been involved in a number of judicial review and SIAC claims relating to Afghan nationals seeking relocation under ARAP, and David Lemer, who is also a Special Advocate, regularly appears before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission and on appeal in national security cases. Other notable members are Joe Middleton KC, sought after for his specialism in business immigration, Shu Shin Luh and Simon Cox. Anthony Vaughan was elected Member of Parliament for Folkestone and Hythe in the 2024 general election.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The clerks at Doughty Street Chambers, notably Rachel Finch, Callum Stebbing, Emily Norman and Sian Wilkins, consistently deliver outstanding service, characterised by their helpfulness and prompt assistance.'
  • 'I have had worked with a number of clerks over the years including Emily Norman and Rachel Finch, and it’s always been a pleasure.'
  • 'The clerks are very friendly and responsive.'
  • 'The clerks are speedy, very responsive and will do their utmost to assist on issues within their remit.'
  • 'The clerks are extremely responsive and professional.'
  • 'The clerks room is incredibly helpful and efficient.'
  • 'Doughty Street Chambers is one of the best, if not the best, in immigration law.'
  • 'Doughty Street Chambers is fast becoming a go-to set for immigration and asylum work, as a result of the calibre of its leading counsel, as well as the up and coming juniors in the area. They also have great multi-disciplinary barristers, which is a rarity at this level.'

Silks

Leading Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Laura Dubinsky KC
Laura Dubinsky KC
Doughty Street Chambers
‘Laura is fast-becoming the go-to silk for strategic immigration and asylum litigation. A leader by example, with meticulous drafting ability. On her feet, she commands the courtroom. A delight to work with, respected and feared by her opponents - she is a force of nature.’
Adam Straw KC
Adam Straw KC
Doughty Street Chambers
‘Adam is an outstanding lawyer. A really first-rate barrister with outstanding legal research skills.‘
2023 Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Joe Middleton KC
Joe Middleton KC
Doughty Street Chambers
‘Joe is a consummate advocate and highly persuasive when on his feet. He is brilliant with clients and we trust his advice absolutely.’

Juniors

Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
Shu Shin Luh
1
Shu Shin Luh
Doughty Street Chambers
‘Shu Shin is a force of nature: incredibly diligent and organised, encyclopaedic knowledge of a large number of areas of law which she brings to each case she does. She is an exceptional talent.’
Alasdair Mackenzie
1
Alasdair Mackenzie
Doughty Street Chambers
‘Alasdair's advocacy is crisp and powerful, whilst measured and thoughtful. His knowledge is first class, as are his written skills.‘
2
Graham Denholm
Doughty Street Chambers
‘He is the best practitioner in the field of immigration detention in my view. His expertise and knowledge in this area of law are unrivalled but added to that he has an excellent appreciation of tactics, civil procedure and can navigate really complex claims to a great outcome.'
Phil Haywood
3
Phil Haywood
Doughty Street Chambers
 'He is a very experienced and knowledgeable advocate. He has a real ability to set out and explain complex legal and factual issues in a straightforward and convincing manner.'
Michelle Knorr
3
Michelle Knorr
Doughty Street Chambers
‘Michelle is an exceptionally talented lawyer. She is meticulous and driven and never gives up until the client is safe. She is a pleasure and an inspiration to work with.'
Agata Patyna
3
Agata Patyna
Doughty Street Chambers
'Fantastically dedicated and hard-working, with brilliant analytical skills in assimilating and ordering large volumes of evidence.'
David Lemer
3
David Lemer
Doughty Street Chambers
‘Passionate, likes to think outside the box, approachable. Great advocate.'
Catherine Meredith
3
Catherine Meredith
Doughty Street Chambers
‘Catherine is incredibly committed to this area of work and to her very vulnerable client base.'
Antonia Benfield
4
Antonia Benfield
Doughty Street Chambers
‘Antonia is a very skilled barrister. She is extremely knowledgeable and easy to work with.'
Zoe Harper
4
Zoe Harper
Doughty Street Chambers
‘Extremely good with vulnerable clients. Her work is very detailed and thoughtful.'
4
Asma Nizami
Doughty Street Chambers
  ‘Asma is an incredibly smart barrister. Her strengths include an impressive knowledge of the law, an ability to apply that law to individual cases in a manner that it facilitates the positive outcome sought for the client and great communication skills that put all involved at ease.'
Rowena Moffatt
4
Rowena Moffatt
Doughty Street Chambers
‘Rowena's knowledge is fantastic and she is always a safe pair of hands.'
4
Sarah Dobbie
Doughty Street Chambers
 'Sarah is extremely hard-working. She is diligent, detail-oriented and her drafting is excellent.'
Michael Spencer
4
Michael Spencer
Doughty Street Chambers
'Mike is very knowledgeable of immigration law. He is thorough in his consideration and preparation and produces high-quality and compelling submissions. He gives clear and concise advice.'
Camila Zapata Besso
4
Camila Zapata Besso
Doughty Street Chambers
‘Her attention to detail is second to none, and her advocacy, as well as her ability to succinctly advise clients, is something to be in awe of. She is fantastic at simplifying complicated concepts and never forgets the human element of the subject matter in this sphere of the law.'

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