England - London • Employment
5

Immigration

Duncan Lewis Solicitors

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With a niche specialism in immigration judicial review cases engaging human rights in relation to removal, unlawful detention, suitability of immigration accommodation, and civil liberties, Duncan Lewis Solicitors leads in many of the most high-profile challenges of government departments and decisions. Asylum, protection, deportation, and modern slavery are among the firm’s other strengths in this area, and Toufique Hossain is a leading figure in this work. The firm has a large and capable team, with James Packer, Ahmed Aydeed, Bahar Ata, Claire Ryan, and Rohena Wallace all noted for their expertise in this area. Tamana Aziz heads the firm’s business immigration practice, and is ‘a fountain of knowledge and experience’, with a practice which straddles individuals and businesses with particular experience in complex appeals, applications under EU law, and training in immigration issues. Aziz works alongside Vicash Ramkissoon who works for international businesses and HNW individuals.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'They go out of their way for each and every client.'
  • 'Their ability to identify the problem and its cause straight away means they will be able to act efficiently and in the client's best interest.  Duncan Lewis prioritise the client’s needs and will go above and beyond to assist, whether that be as formally instructed or on a pro bono basis.'
  • 'Tamana Aziz leads a strong team of skilled and knowledgeable business immigration lawyers. They are well-liked by clients and work well as a team with counsel to provide an effective and affordable service.'
  • 'Tamana Aziz is a fountain of knowledge and experience. She is fully engaged with her clients and their cases and provides a personal and high quality service.'
  • 'One of the many things that impresses me about the team at Duncan Lewis is differing levels of input and oversight into every case. Every case is handled by a team of people that take responsibility rather than an individual case owner. There is always a senior member of the team involved with every aspect of the case. If the primary caseworker is not available, there is always someone who you can speak to and knows about the case. That is reassuring for clients and other professionals involved.'
  • 'Tamana Aziz has always been responsive to our questions, and these responses have been thorough and considered. Tamana has always been supportive and consistently professional in our dealings with her. My partner has referred Tamana to a wide range of friends and associates in London. Tamana has a vast knowledge of immigration and as such is able to realistically provide the correct information.'
  • 'Vicash Ramkissoon and Tamana Aziz are experienced practitioners and supervisors, offering strong backup and quality assurance across the department's work.'
  • 'Particular mention must go to Toufique Hossain.'

Key clients

  • Honey Rose Products Ltd
  • Public and Commercial Services Union
  • Care 4 Calais
  • Detention Action
  • Women for Refugee Women
  • Hareth Brothers

Work highlights

  • Challenged the SSHD’s ‘Rwanda policy’ to remove asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda, ultimately resulting in no individuals being removed to Rwanda.
  • Challenged the Manston detention facility over unlawful detention of thousands of asylum seekers, with the Manston facility ultimately being closed.

Lawyers

Leading partners
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Toufique Hossain
Duncan Lewis Solicitors
Toufique Hossain is a director of public law and immigration at Duncan Lewis Solicitors. He works predominantly under legal aid in order to represent those most in need. His practise is dominated by judicial review, leading strategic litigation where he represents individual claimants and NGOs who seek to challenge Executive decisions, policies and practices.  He has extensive experience in the Administrative Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, litigating across a range of areas and regularly conducting high-profile challenges to unlawful policies and practices, including unlawful detention and unlawful removals from the UK.Some of his most notabe cases include: SM v Lord Chancellor [2021] EWHC 418 (CRA, CJO, CAS) v Lord Chancellor (challenge to LAA Regulations) Detention Action v SSHD (access to justice – phone access) FB & Anor v SSHD (Removal Window Policy) Hussein v SSHD & G4S Morita & Ors v SSHD Rehman & Ors v SSHD & SSJ TH and others [2016] EWCA Civ 815 Wasif v SSHD [2016] EWCA Civ 82  JS (Sudan) [2013] EWCA Civ 1378   Toufique continues to have conduct of several lead complex cases. He has had conduct in unlawful detention cases involving mental health issues; Rule 35 and evidence in relation torture; lead cases challenging removals to France, Cyprus and Malta; removals to DRC; challenges to detention involving long-term detention of Chinese nationals and Afghan charter flight cases. In addition to challenging injustice through litigation, Toufique aims to advocate human rights by speaking out in the media. His appearances in The Guardian, Sky News, Russia Today, BBC and Channel 4 brings attention to the crucial role of legal aid, in holding the executive to account and in providing justice for those most in need. 

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Tamana Aziz, Vicash Ramkissoon, Ahmed Aydeed, Angela Sandhal, Bahar Ata, Claire Ryan, Darren Middleton, Gergana Pentcheva, James Packer, Jenna McKinney, Nazia Khan, Pardeep Somel, Rohena Wallace, Satvir Sahota, Toufique Hossain, Vilash Gami

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