News

We are thrilled to announce our results in the 2021 edition of The Legal 500 which sees us obtain rankings in five new areas, rise in the rankings in three areas, and retain all of the remainder of our existing rankings from the previous edition. All three of our lawyers ranked as Leading Individuals have maintained their ranking as have all six of our Next Generation Lawyers. We also have a brand new Rising Star in our midst. Overall we have retained our Top-Tier firm status in immigration London and Wales, and have achieved a new Top-Tier ranking in family (Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx). Additionally, 20 other practice areas are ranked, 3 incredible directors have been given elite Leading Individual status, 5 individuals dubbed Next Generation Partners and one new Rising Star. In total we have 102 rankings across 64 lawyers. In 2019 we had 36 lawyers ranked. We are delighted that we have been newly ranked as a Tier 2 practice and a Tier 4 practice for our debt work in London and the South East respectively. Additionally our immigration practice in the East Midlands has been ranked Tier 3 and the Bradford-based family team has been ranked Tier 4 in Yorkshire and Humber. Finally, our wills and probate department makes its Legal 500 debut being ranked as a Tier 4 practice for its contentious trusts and probate work in the South East. Further success has been achieved in three of our previously ranked practices improving on their rankings with the London based crime practice and civil liberties and human rights practice both rising from Tier 4 to Tier 3, and the South East family practice rising from Tier 2 to top Tier 1. From an individual point of view Manjinder Kaur Atwal, Toufique Hossain, and Vinita Templeton have maintained their status as Leading Individuals for their work within the South East social housing practice, London immigration and public law practice, and Wales immigration practice respectively. Moreover, Manjinder has also maintained her ranking as a Next Generation Partner for her London housing practice, as has Toufique for both his immigration South East work and admin and public law work in London. Directors Adeeba Naseem and Alia Lewis also maintained their rankings for their family South East work and Alex Peebles remains ranked for his Court of Protection London practice. The good news continues with Vanessa Delgado being newly ranked as a Rising Star for her Wales-based immigration practice. We are overjoyed with this year’s outcome and offer huge congratulations to all of our ranked individuals and teams. The full list of rankings can be found below.

London Guide

Human resources - Immigration - Immigration - human rights, appeals and overstay – Tier 1 Human resources - Immigration - Immigration – business – Tier 5 The immigration team at Duncan Lewis Solicitors is well-regarded for its work in asylum, human rights and nationality law. Public law director Toufique Hossain has extensive experience representing asylum seekers, many of whom are vulnerable clients. The practice has a strong track record of acting for victims of modern slavery, trafficking, torture, and domestic violence and for unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors. Other key areas of work include ECHR cases and cases involving civil liberties. Vicash Ramkissoon leads a good deal of the business-side work; the group also handles Tier 2 sponsor licence applications and judicial review matters. Leading individuals Toufique Hossain - Duncan Lewis Solicitors Recommended: Practice head(s): Toufique Hossain; Ayan Yalchin; Tamana Aziz; Vicash Ramkissoon; Zofia Duszynska; Rohena Wallace; Gabor Nagy; Bernadette Adusei; Alex Peebles NEW RANKING: Dispute Resolution: Debt recovery - Tier 2 At Duncan Lewis Solicitors, the team specialises in complex and high-value debt claims for companies and individuals, predominantly in the financial sector and in relation to bankruptcy proceedings. The firm is also noted for its defendant side work, where practice co-head Anthony Okumah has particular expertise in the commercial property space. Sobashni De Silva, who also leads the group, is particularly focused on defending high-net-worth individuals and businesses in debt-related cases, and has developed a solid practice assisting with cross-border matters involving Saudi Arabia and UAE. Recommended: Practice head(s): Sobashni De Silva; Anthony Okumah Other key lawyers: Shareen Tanvir; Karolina Natkaniec Crime, fraud and licensing - Crime: general – Tier 3 (previously Tier 4) Duncan Lewis Solicitors' general crime team handles a range of sensitive cases. Recently, these have included murder complicated by paranoid schizophrenia, the blackmail of government officials and accusations of distributing child pornography. The offering is coordinated by the 'absolutely first rate' Rubin Italia, the 'completely committed' Nicholas De Freitas and Hardeep Dhaliwal, a specialist in fraud defence. Recommended: Practice head(s): Rubin Italia; Nicholas De Freitas; Hardeep Dhaliwal Insurance - Personal injury: claimant – Tier 5 The personal injury team at Duncan Lewis Solicitors acts on behalf of victims of fatal accidents, as well as representing those who have suffered injuries that have had a detrimental effect on their lifestyle and ability to work. The practice is jointly headed by Rebecca Thomas and Julie Leslie, both of whom have experience handling road traffic accidents, occupiers' liability claims, and asbestos illnesses. Recommended: Practice head(s): Rebecca Thomas; Julie Leslie Other key lawyers: Ifrah Ahmed; Nilma Shah; Shabana Masood Private client - Court of Protection – Tier 2 Duncan Lewis Solicitors has a multi-disciplinary team that advises on mental health, community care, clinical negligence and public law through its various offices nationally. The team has particular strength in the interplay between the Mental Health Act 1983 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005, as well as deprivation of liberty safeguards. It frequently represents vulnerable clients and family members in disputes relating to mental capacity and in best interests welfare discussions pertaining to residence, contact, care and medical treatment. Other key focus areas include representing clients in disputes about the registration of lasting powers of attorney and the appointment of deputies. Alex Peebles and Rachel Caswell head the team. Next Generation Partners Alex Peebles - Duncan Lewis Solicitors Recommended: Practice head(s): Alex Peebles; Rachel Caswell Other key lawyers: Helen Cummings Private client – Family – Tier 5 Duncan Lewis Solicitors has a broad range of experience and handles all aspects of family law. Key specialisms include representing the victims of domestic violence and assisting clients with securing a financial settlement following the breakdown of a marriage. The team also handles matters such as special guardianship orders, the distribution of business assets and the international movement of children, as well as protecting clients in emergency situations in cases involving non-accidental injury, sexual assault, grooming or forced marriages. Recommended: Practice head(s): Adeeba Naseem; Alia Lewis; Emine Mehmet; Forida Hakim; Vanket Appalakondiah; Kathy Walker; Laila Bhunnoo; Sophie Fretten; Ravi Kaur Mahey; Sara Upton Other key lawyers: Helen Newman; Stavri Petrou; Priyal Patel Public sector - Civil liberties and human rights – Tier 3 (previously Tier 4) Duncan Lewis Solicitors' civil liberties practice has a broad range of expertise across the immigration and public law space, headed by a Harrow-based team which includes the well-regarded Toufique Hossain and Zofia Duszynska. The team is skilled at undertaking judicial reviews and has a notable cross-practice inquests group. Rohena Wallace is the key name for immigration law matters, particularly those with a national security element, while Jamie Bell handles asylum seeker rights work. Recommended: Practice head(s): Toufique Hossain; Zofia Duszynska Other key lawyers: Rohena Wallace; Sulaiha Ali; Jamie Bell; Alex Peebles Real estate - Social housing: tenant – Tier 2 Duncan Lewis Solicitors' team is spread across the Croydon, Dalston, Harrow and Lewisham offices. It covers a full range of contentious issues, with particular expertise in handling Equality Act defence cases and possession claims. Practice Head Manjinder Kaur Atwal frequently advises on matters involving novel points of law and has recently had a case listed at the Court of Appeal concerning the interrelationship between the Public Sector Equality Duty and the court’s discretion to make a possession order under Ground 17, Housing Act 1988. Dianne Cowie has a ‘robust and sensible approach’ to advising on disrepair matters and cases involving allegations of anti-social behaviour, particularly in relation to vulnerable clients. James de Vere Moss, Chinedu Orogbu and Bernadette Chikwe are the other senior practitioners. Next Generation Partners Manjinder Kaur Atwal - Duncan Lewis Solicitors Recommended: Practice head(s): Bernadette Chikwe; Chinedu Orogbu; Dianne Cowie; James de Vere Moss; Manjinder Kaur Atwal Public Sector - Administrative and public law - Tier 4 Duncan Lewis Solicitors’ public law practice represents vulnerable individuals in judicial review litigation, with a particular focus on immigration issues, notably for individuals facing discrimination by the Windrush Scheme. Unlawful detention, prisoners’ rights and other human rights violations are also points of focus. It's recently established education law team in Leeds handles public law claims for schools, regulatory bodies and students. In a recent highlight, Toufique Hossain and James Packer successfully filed claims against the Lord Chancellor and the Legal Aid Agency regarding the provision of legal aid, achieving a successful ruling for the backdating of certificates. Next Generation Partners Toufique Hossain - Duncan Lewis Solicitors Recommended: Practice head(s): James Packer; Toufique Hossain

South East Guide

Private client - Family: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx – Tier 1 (previously Tier 2) The large family and child care team at Duncan Lewis Solicitors provides advice to clients in the South East on all areas of family law, including matters involving domestic violence, cross-border disputes, divorce and separation issues, and emergency situations involving non-accidental injury and domestic abuse, amongst many others. The practice is lead by five directors: Adeeba Naseem, Alia Lewis, and Ravi Kaur Mahey are based in Harrow; Sara Upton is in Barnet; Krina Parmar is located in Milton Keynes and Luton. Next Generation Partners Alia Lewis - Duncan Lewis Solicitors Adeeba Naseem - Duncan Lewis Solicitors Recommended: Practice head(s): Adeeba Naseem; Alia Lewis; Ravi Kaur Mahey; Sara Upton; Krina Parmar NEW RANKING: Private Client - Contentious trusts and probate - Tier 4 The 'very professional' team at Duncan Lewis Solicitors has expertise in a wide range of contentious probate matters, advising both local and international high-net-worth individuals. A number of members of the team are multilingual, with seven languages shared across three team members. Practice head Caroline Roche is able to advise in relation to claims involving undue influence, fraud, taxable and non-taxable estates, and proprietary estoppel claims. Recommended: Practice head(s): Caroline Roche NEW RANKING: Dispute Resolution - Debt recovery - Tier 4 The debt recovery team at Duncan Lewis Solicitors is jointly led by Sobashni De Silva and Anthony Okumah. With expertise in the finance industry, it is characterised by its ability to handle unorthodox cases, and is particularly known for pursuing debtor expatriates in the Middle East. Specifically, this work covers cross-border litigation and centres upon disputes between advisers and investors. More generally, the firm caters for claimants pursuing rogue lenders and is capable of freezing assets when necessary. Recommended: Practice head(s): Sobashni De Silva; Anthony Okumah Crime, fraud and licensing - Crime: general – Tier 4 At Duncan Lewis Solicitors, the criminal law practice is equipped to handle serious crime and drug-related offenses. Jointly led by Rubin Italia, who has over twenty years of experience in this field, and Nicholas De Freitas in Harrow, the team has a niche expertise in drug confiscation matters where 'hard-working and thorough' duo Laurence Grant and Simon Connolly are the key contacts. Consultant solicitor Linda Barker handles murder, fraud, and serious assault cases. Recommended: Practice head(s): Rubin Italia; Nicholas De Freitas Other key lawyers: Lawrence Grant; Simon Connolly; Linda Barker Human resources – Immigration – Tier 2 Duncan Lewis Solicitors has developed a reputation as a 'dominant and formidable team within the field' of personal immigration, advising on asylum, human rights, citizenship and EU law matters. The firm has also developed expertise representing clients affected by the Windrush scandal. Toufique Hossain works primarily under legal aid, assisting asylum seekers who have been victims of sexual abuse, torture and trafficking. Bahar Ata, Rohena Wallace and Tamana Aziz are other key practitioners. Next Generation Partners Toufique Hossain - Duncan Lewis Solicitors Recommended: Other key lawyers: Ahmed Aydeed; Bahar Ata; Rohena Wallace; Tamana Aziz; Toufique Hossain; Vicash Ramkissoon; Zofia Duszynska; Nazia Khan Insurance - Personal injury and clinical negligence: claimant - Tier 3 The 'excellent' clinical negligence and personal injury practice at Duncan Lewis Solicitors is led by Rebecca Thomas and is experienced in handling a spectrum of matters including brain, spinal, and neurological injuries. Amy Bennett has vast expertise in stillbirth and neonatal death claims as well as childbirth injury and gynaecological related claims. On the personal injury side, the group handles road traffic accidents and asbestos-related illnesses. Ifrah Ahmed is another key team member, specialising in clinical negligence matters. Recommended: Practice head(s): Rebecca Thomas Other key lawyers: Amy Bennett; Ifrah Ahmed Insurance - Professional negligence – Tier 3 Duncan Lewis Solicitors has a large professional negligence offering handling claims against legal, construction, and engineering professionals. Practice head Sobashni De Silva - described as 'on top of her game' - works in tandem with Anthony Okumah, the recommended contact for claims against solicitors and barristers. The team also includes the well-regarded Shareen Tanvir. Recommended: Practice head(s): Sobashni De Silva; Anthony Okumah Other key lawyers: Shareen Tanvir Real estate - Social housing – Tier 2 Duncan Lewis Solicitors covers a wide range of social housing matters, including neighbourhood disputes against local authorities, landlord and tenant matters and judicial reviews. The department also has a presence in county court possession duty schemes, enabling the team to defend tenants in possession and unlawful eviction cases, while it has also been developing niche expertise in handling Equality Act defence work. Manjinder Kaur Atwal leads the practice, with considerable experience handling a variety of claims cases from small claims to multi-track; she also undertakes her own advocacy in court and at tribunals. Leading individuals Manjinder Kaur Atwal - Duncan Lewis Solicitors Recommended: Practice head(s): Manjinder Kaur Atwal Other key lawyers: Adrian Smith

Wales Guide

Human resources - Immigration – Tier 1 The Swansea office of Duncan Lewis Solicitors has 'unrivalled experience across Wales and possibly the whole of south west England' in relation to immigration matters. Benefiting from a Legal Aid contract, as well as handling general immigration matters, the team excels in representing vulnerable clients seeking asylum based on the fear of persecution in their country of origin, often due to their sexuality, religion or political views. 'Hardworking' team head Vinita Templeton is 'very knowledgeable and has a good relationship with Home Office employees', which she puts to use across a range of matters, including urgent and difficult judicial review claimant matters. 'Amazing' consultant solicitor Vanessa Delgado conducts advocacy work at both the First-Tier and Upper Tribunal and has expertise across a wide variety of immigration, asylum, and human rights matters, through to judicial review. Leading individuals Vinita Templeton - Duncan Lewis Solicitors Rising stars Vanessa Delgado - Duncan Lewis Solicitors

West Midlands Guide

Private Client – Family – Tier 2 Duncan Lewis Solicitors has a number of key specialisms such as representing clients who are facing emergency situations, whether that be safeguarding of children or domestic abuse. In addition it advises on matrimonial and separation issues with significant expertise in special guardianship orders and adoption in the UK and overseas. Other strengths lie in assisting those with significant vulnerabilities particularly those with mental health difficulties or victims of some form of abuse. It is also known for its involvement in culturally complex cases, often with international elements in both Hague and non-Hague countries. Heads of team are Krina Parmar, who advises on all aspects of public law children matters and is a member of the Law Society Children’s Panel, and Richard Gray, who also specialises in public law childcare matters. Gray has been an accredited member of the Law Society Children's Panel since 2011. Recommended: Practice head(s): Richard Gray; Krina Parmar Other key lawyers: Harriet Phillips; Adam Bloodworth; Anita Bains; Henna Sajid Human Resources - Immigration – Tier 2 Duncan Lewis Solicitors fields a large immigration team that has significant expertise in immigration, asylum and judicial review claimant matters under the leadership of Ahmed Aydeed. It is known for providing a strong publicly funded immigration service that represents vulnerable clients such as victims of torture or trafficking in asylum and human rights matters. The team has considerable expertise at representing claimants in judicial review immigration cases before the High Court and has a substantial practice in unlawful immigration detention cases. It frequently challenges immigration removal cases and has extensive tribunal and higher courts appeal and advocacy experience. It is well-regarded for its work in the Immigration Asylum Chamber and for its work in first-Tier and upper tribunal asylum and immigration appeals across the Midlands. Recommended: Practice head(s): Ahmed Aydeed

NEW RANKING: East Midlands Guide

Immigration - Tier 3 Duncan Lewis Solicitors has significant expertise in immigration, asylum and judicial review claimant work. Its team is active in a wide range of matters, which includes representing vulnerable clients (such as victims of torture or trafficking) in asylum and human rights cases. The group is experienced in Immigration Asylum Chamber, First-Tier and Upper Tribunal asylum and immigration appeals across the Midlands Circuit. Directors Alexis Masolo and Ahmed Aydeed co-head the practice. Recommended: Practice head(s): Alexis Masolo; Ahmed Aydeed

NEW RANKING: Yorkshire and the Humber Guide

Family: Leeds, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire - Tier 4 Led by Meena Kumari and Abbid Majeed, the team at Duncan Lewis Solicitors focuses on sensitive child protection issues including abduction matters, child abuse work, and wardship and adoption mandates, alongside a notable specialism in FGM protection orders. The practice often works on a cross-border basis, particularly in abduction and FGM cases. Recommended: Practice head(s): Meena Kumari; Abbid Majeed