Public Law Solicitors

On the 5th July the Public Law & Immigration teams at Duncan Lewis Solicitors welcomed speakers Mr Clayton QC (Deputy High Court Judge), Mr Tim Meakin and Mr Chris Canning to the Harrow Office.They provided seminars on: ‘A Judge’s perspective on Judicial Review - with particular insight into Immigration cases (Mr Richard Clayton QC) and ‘Personal Injury Damage claims in relation to unlawful detention (Mr Tim Meakin and Mr Chris Canning).

Richard Clayton QC is a high profile practising public law/immigration barrister with a wealth of experience who regularly sits on our firm’s immigration applications and has offered assistance to our fee earners on countless occasions. Richard spoke on the following areas:

A practical approach to Judicial Review, including: Drafting key documents, time consideration, context, tone- duty of candour;

Remedies available in Judicial Review;

Declarations available in Judicial Review;

Out of hours applications;

Interim applications;

Bundles – Sedley’s Law of Documents;

Test for permission – key dos and don’ts; and

Oral hearings.

The talk was provided with a real sense of humour, giving a real flavour of the aims, frustrations and amusements of a Judge granting permission. Additionally, it gave a helpful insight into how fee earners can improve their applications.

Tim Meakin and Chris Canning are also barristers at 7 Bedford Row. They have a background in personal injury claims and public law issues. The seminar provided discussed potential damage claims in unlawful detention cases, considering in particular the following areas:

Outline principles of tortious damages;

The background to damages assessment for unlawful detention claims;

The main principle of civil claim for damages;

Practical advice on how to maximise the damages claims;

Aggravated and exemplary damages; and

Dealing with the medical experts.

The above seminar provided a really useful insightful talk on the above issues, which delivered fee earners with the information to recognise where personal injury claims are possible at the end of unlawful detention cases. This will assist us in providing a comprehensive service to our clients.

We would like to offer our thanks to our friends at 7 Bedford Row Chambers for giving up their valuable time to provide these talks.
If those who attended would like to provide feedback or raise any questions please contact Helen Cummings at helenc@duncanlewis.com .