News

Legal representatives from Duncan Lewis arrived on Diego Garcia on September 15, ahead of a highly significant three-day hearing, where twelve of our clients, including four children, have been held in conditions amounting to unlawful detention for almost three years. Solicitors Simon Robinson and Gina Skandari, together with caseworker Ben Nelson, instructed Counsel Chris Buttler KC and Jack Boswell from Matrix Chambers, are representing the Duncan Lewis claimants. The hearing will be presided over by Acting Justice of the BIOT Supreme Court, Ms Margaret Obi.

Duncan Lewis has been representing many of our clients for over two years, yet yesterday was the first time they were able to take instructions in person, as well as to observe first-hand their living conditions in Thunder Cove Camp. These living conditions have regularly been described by our clients as “prison-like” or “a cage.” We represent many of our clients in separate proceedings, including claims under the Children Act 1989 regarding the Commissioner’s responsibility to safeguard the children on the island.

The Unlawful Detention hearing will take place from 17–19 September 2024 and will include the cross-examination of the Commissioner for the British Indian Ocean Territories, as well as a number of claimants. These proceedings have previously involved satellite imagery and YouTube videos from visitors to the island, yet tomorrow’s hearing will be the first time that the judge and legal representatives can act upon what they have seen on the ground and sit in a courtroom with the individuals whose freedom they seek to obtain.

The full Duncan Lewis team representing clients on Diego Garcia includes Toufique Hossain, Jodie Spencer, Kristen Allison, Sulaiha Ali, David Garrick, Sugani Suganthan, Maria Petrova-Collins, Jennifer Matthews, and George Sheldon Grun.

Legal representatives from Leigh Day, Wilsons, and Blackstone Chambers represent additional claimants, with some present on Diego Garcia and wider teams remaining in the UK.

Follow us for further updates throughout the hearing on X, as well as a full article following the conclusion of the hearing.

Duncan Lewis Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Solicitors, an award-winning law firm, is renowned for its exceptional legal services and commitment to justice. The company employs a team of highly skilled solicitors offering top-tier representation in 25 fields of law, and ranked as top tier by the Chambers and the Legal 500 legal guides, and as one of the top 250 law firms in the country by the Times. Duncan Lewis was crowned Law Firm of the Year at the LexisNexis awards 2024, further establishing its credentials as one of the leading law firms in the UK.