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.
England - London • Public sector
Duncan Lewis Solicitors
Duncan Lewis Solicitors has established a well respected judicial review claimant practice, representing a spectrum of vulnerable claimants in cases relating to human rights, prison, mental capacity and social welfare issues. The team has recently been representing clients in the lead challenge to the SSHD’s Rwanda policy, with Ahmed Aydeed being a key contact on that front. James Packer is director of the public law department and litigates across a broad range of areas, while immigration specialist Toufique Hossain regularly represents vulnerable individuals, including asylum seekers and victims of torture. Rohena Wallace is also highly recommended.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘DL's team are representing many of the most vulnerable migrants, often in time sensitive and significant public law actions. They have great tactical awareness and go the extra mile to get results.’
‘Duncan Lewis is a behemoth in the legal aid sector, with particular specialism in immigration and migrants' rights cases.’
‘It has a large, dynamic team who work tirelessly on the most challenging cases.’
‘DL operates at the cutting edge of claimant public law work with boldness and courage other firms lack. They are willing to take on even the most challenging cases, ensuring representation for many vulnerable clients who would otherwise not have any.’
- ‘Toufique Hossain is a bold strategic litigator who runs cutting-edge and important legal challenges. He makes the most of his cases and is imaginative and skilful in challenging government action.’
‘Particular mention for Toufique Hossain; he is excellent in this area.’
Key clients
- The Public and Commercial Services Union, Care 4 Calais, Detention Action alongside six asylum seekers (AAA & Ors)
- HT, Detention Action & Public & Commercial Services Union
- 10 asylum seeking clients and their families accommodated in Staindrop Lodge Hotel
- Helen Amare Teshale (and others)
- Women for Refugee Women (‘WRW’) and SPM
- HVN (victim of trafficking)
- KA and 6 Others
- Public and Commercial Services Union and Care 4 Calais v SSHD
- PB (Asylum Claimant)
- JB v SSHD
- EDC V SSHD
- CBP v SSHD
- VV v SSHD (Windrush Compensation)
Work highlights
- Acting on the lead challenge to the SSHD’s Rwanda policy to remove asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda.
- Acting on the Manston challenge over wrongful detention in Kent.
Lawyers
Leading individuals