Leanne Botterill

I am a Solicitor in the public law department in the city of London office. I have over six years’ experience specialising in immigration and asylum law.

I have specialist knowledge of asylum and human rights law, asylum appeals, unaccompanied asylum seeking children, deportation, fresh claims and applications for immigration bail. My broad range of experience also includes various applications for entry clearance, settlement, and British citizenship.

I have extensive experience of litigation in all courts from the First-tier Tribunal through to the Administrative Court and the Court of Appeal. I specialise in working with vulnerable individuals including minors, victims of domestic violence, torture and trafficking victims, as well as those who lack mental capacity.

I have particular expertise in representing claimants in Judicial Review challenges, which include but are not limited to:

• Decisions of the Single Competent Authority in trafficking matters;
• Unlawful delay in processing / making a decision within a reasonable timeframe in immigration and asylum applications;
• Unlawful detention;
• False imprisonment;
• Removals to third countries / country of origin

I am committed to ensuring my clients receive the best quality service in their legal matters and have a strong track record of obtaining good results for my clients.

• LLB (Hons) Law – Nottingham Trent University- 2013-2016
• Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice (LPC) – University of Law- 2018
• Masters in Law (LLM) – University of Law- 2018

• Admitted as a Solicitor in August 2020
• Trainee Solicitor at Duncan Lewis from 2018-2020

High Court

R (Abulbakr) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2022] EWHC 1183 (Admin) Secured damages of £17,500 following 40 days of unlawful detention caused by delay in the provision of Schedule 10 accommodation. An uplift of £2000 reflected extra time in prison and COVID circumstances. Also reported by Free Movement: https://freemovement.org.uk/17500-awarded-for-40-days-of-unlawful-detention-during-the-pandemic/