News

Duncan Lewis is deeply saddened to report of the recent passing of Jonathan Knight. This is devastating news. Jon had been with Duncan Lewis for 14 years, since 2008, as an immigration/public law caseworker, specialising in immigration, asylum and nationality. Jonathan was a cherished member of our Duncan Lewis family and was hugely appreciated by the company for his friendly supportive nature and commitment to his clients. We offer our most sincere condolences to his family and close friends at this time. He will be sorely missed.

Jonathan worked briefly across our Clapham Junction (now closed) and Shepherd’s Bush offices before settling in Dalston, where he became a mainstay and was a very popular colleague to all. Our Dalston administration team fondly note that he would frequently be the first to arrive, and so often the last to leave. Do not let Jon’s job title of caseworker for 14 years mislead you, his knowledge of immigration law was astonishing, exemplary and frankly, second to none. He came to law relatively late, was not interested in career advancement and simply wanted to devote his life to his clients and casework, remaining at the forefront of assisting the vulnerable; he was a truly remarkable man and a consummate professional. Jon was a fount of knowledge for the department from the outset and the management team and his directors greatly appreciated his regular weekly immigration updates to the department on new case law and legal changes – an exercise he voluntarily undertook for years.

In memory of Jon, Duncan Lewis will make a charitable donation to causes we know would have been close to his heart. His supervising directors throughout his tenure with us – James Packer, Gabor Nagy and for the last year, Gergana Pentcheva – have liaised with close colleagues and agreed on splitting this between Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (to reflect his overall interest in the intricacies of migration law) and Hestia Life Beyond Crisis (as he had a particular concern for domestic abuse victims).

Prior to becoming a champion of migrant law, it is clear that Jonathan Denys Knight led a very colourful life. He attended various schools in Canada and the United States before completing his initial education in Cape Town, South Africa in 1976 with good grades. Following this, in his own words, he ‘jobbed around Cape Town’ as a salesman, a market researcher, and was even an archaeological digger at one time! He then subsequently settled down into a world of literature as Managing Partner of a Cape Town bookshop, between 1975 to 1977 with a focus on recruitment, supervision (and reading!). In 1977, he came to the UK and spent his first six years (1977-1983) as an Assistant Collector of Taxes on the Shepherd’s Bush Road in W6 London, while making London his home.

Jon completed his legal education relatively late. In 1983, having just achieved his A levels at Hammersmith College through evening classes alone, he read law at Leeds University and successfully graduated in 1986. His interests and hobbies were as rich as his personality. At university he was the Vice President of the Astronomical Society, was an avid Theatre Group enthusiast (both as an actor and stage manager) and members of both the parachuting and fencing clubs.

It was at Leeds University that Jon’s love for migration law began to take hold. He completed a Master Thesis (1986-1992) on the topic of nationality law and discrimination and enjoyed debating clubs and legal surgeries. He jumped into law in 1993 as an advisor / caseworker with Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) for 15 years until joining Duncan Lewis in July 2008. It was at JCWI that Jon began to advise (and deliver training in) in relation to all aspects of asylum, human rights, European, nationality and immigration matters - a role that he continued so brilliantly with us until his death.

Jon’s presence around the office will be greatly missed and he will no doubt be richly remembered by all. In concluding tribute, we have asked Jon’s current supervising Director Gergana Pentcheva to give some final words on behalf of his team:-

“I have directly supervised Jonathan for the past year, but worked alongside him since 2011. Some of our team members had worked with him as long ago as 2009 and many people at DL worked closely with him during his 14 years here. He was always happy to help a team member in need of assistance or court cover. There were not many people in the department or the Dalston office that he did not at some point lend a helping hand to, whether it be with work or otherwise. Jonathan showed a devotion to his clients above and beyond what was expected. He has touched the lives of countless clients, amassing an incredible number of allowed appeals and successful decisions through his dedication to his work and legal skills. His regular legal and training updates had become a well-established practice, which helped us all, even those who did not have a chance to personally meet him. The courts and court staff will also inevitably feel his absence.

On a personal level, it would be rare to meet a person who was more genuine or chivalrous. I will miss the interesting conversations we had and the stories of his adventures around the world. Jonathan was at the heart of our team and will be deeply missed by us all. His kind nature, reliability and undeniable love for advocacy were truly unique. An understated, but constant reassuring presence that will always be fondly remembered by us.”

On behalf of all at Duncan Lewis - rest in peace Jonathan.